Worth reading: Naselli, Let Go and Let God?

Andrew Naselli's book Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology was released yesterday. If you grew up in the Keswick stream, consider purchasing as a way of understanding and reviewing your roots. I couldn't "put it down" (if you can say that of an electronic text.)

While Naselli's critique is from a Reformed perspective (not really how I would describe myself), I found it informative, quite even-handed, and pastorally very useful. It reads a bit like a thesis in spots, but is very accessible with a great deal of research under the surface. J I Packer seems like an important influence.

The only major limitation is that he dealt with Keswick views only up to 1920, due to diversification of views since then. It deals with influence of Keswick roots rather than current thinking.

I hope this post is received as promoting awareness of a new resource that Logos itself published. Phil Gons gets a special mention in Acknowledgments (page 31.)

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Comments

Dr. Charles A. Wootten

I agree! It is very easy reading and is quite fascinating. I, too, couldn't "put it down" -- but that was literally for me as I was reading it on my iPad moments after the official release.[:D]

God bless

{charley}

Graham Owen

Definitely a good read, can't say that I agree with the everything that Naselli argues but then I coming from a Pentecostal background I did not expect to and one of the reasons for purchasing it was that it was written from a different theological perspective to mine. I like the way that he examines the threads that came together to form Keswick Theology and the way that he contrasts this with the Reformed View. Naturally he favours the Reformed View and at times for me this favouring seems quite subjective but that is a response you would expect given my background.

Some passages are a overly academic and come across of as a patchwork quilt made up of quotations and the frequent reference to the fact that many of those who pioneered Keswick Theology were not "trained theologian", would of been better handled, in my opinion, as a single statement in the origins section. Again this comment is probably consistent with my background and experience.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who, like me, comes from a background that holds views similar to those of Keswick Theology it will help you to understand your roots and will challenge, in a positive and practical way, beliefs that you may take for granted.

Did it change my view? NO

Did it make me think about some of the challenges that come from holding that view? YES