Active Spirituality - A Review

"At its heart, this collection is about the perseverance of the saints." - Brian Hedges, Active Spirituality.

Active Spirituality, by Brian Hedges, is a theological book packaged in a series of letters.  The letters are a pastor's comments to a friend, and he covers a wide range of spiritual topics.  The main thrust of the book is, while our salvation and sanctification are a gift of free grace from God, we have a responsibility to work hard to grow in this grace.

I liked the book. The format of the the letter-chapters was very interesting, and I found it to be very effective. He was able to communicate much in a personal, readable style.  Much of the book deals with living an active faith.

I found Hedges very effective at navigating a narrow path.  He effectively demonstrates the risk of two ditches on either side of the path.  One one side is an extreme works-based faith, which leads to a self-righteous legalism.  On the other side is an extreme grace-based faith, which, left unchecked, allows people to "punch their heaven ticket" and live an unchanged life.  Hedges does not deny the work of grace in the believer's life, but he reminds that discipleship and growth are necessary evidences of the faith.

I do have a couple of concerns with the book.  First - and this isn't limited to Hedges, but it tends to be pervasive in the modern Reformed movement - I wish he'd not address depression.  Too often, in Reformed circles, this topic is overly simplified, and I find the answers to be too flippant.

Second, I'm a bit bothered by the C.S. Lewis references. I'm a bit surprised, at times, how often Lewis' theological views are quoted, and he is drawn from often in this book.  Given some of Lewis' other issues, I'd rather not see him referenced in this context, as I think he could detract from this book.

Critiques aside, I found the book to be helpful, and I enjoyed it.

One head's up.  Hedges refers to John Bunyan's classic, A Pilgrim's Progress, often.  If you've never read it, get a copy now.  If you have read it, be prepared to read it again.  The many references made me want to dust my copy off and reread again.

Finally, here's an interview Shaun Tabatt conducted with Hedges. http://BibleGeekGoneWild.com/100.

Thank you, Brian Hedges, for your unique way of communicating deep, theological topics.  I benefitted from this book.

Note: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher.  I was required to provide an honest, not necessarily favorable, review, and the opinions expressed are mine.