True Spirituality: The Challenge Of 1 Corinthians For The 21St Century Church

by Vaughan Roberts

What does it mean to be a truly spiritual Christian?

At a time when there is no shortage of answers competing for our attention, how do we know what really is from God?

This book looks for answers in the Bible, focusing on Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. The Corinthians really thought they had arrived. By contrast, Paul was unspiritual, ignorant, weak and foolish.

Paul writes a strongly corrective letter, not simply to defend his reputation but to restore them to true Christian faith. He picks up the words that they themselves use and says, 'This knowledge, power and wisdom you claim to have are not the real thing. What you call spirituality is worldly. You are being directed by the mindset of the non-Christian world rather than by the Holy Spirit.'

That challenge still applies. Paul's appeal is God's appeal to us. We too need to repent of inadequate understandings of what it means to live by the Spirit and instead embrace true spirituality.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Faith

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Vaughan came to faith as he read through Matthew’s Gospel for himself as a teenager. After studying law at Cambridge University and a brief spell doing student ministry in South Africa, he moved to Oxford to study Theology at Wycliffe Hall and has lived in the city ever since. In 1991 he joined the staff of St Ebbe’s Church to lead the student ministry and since 1998 he has been Rector. He is also the Director of the Proclamation Trust, an organisation that encourages and equips Bible teachers. In his spare time Vaughan writes books and plays cricket and golf.

see also Vaughan Roberts' sister Clare Heath-Whyte

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très bon livre pour appliquer les vérités d'1 Corinthiens à notre contexte contemporain - nos vies et nos Eglises.

[Matty Lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really helpful book taking you through 1 Corinthians, drawing out ways in which we can make the same mistakes today.

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaughan Roberts is an incredibly practical author and this is an incredibly practical book. The title really sets up the theme for the whole work as Roberts takes his reader for a trip through the world of the early Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians.
A wonderful read for people who are thinking about authentic faith, life as a community, how we interact with the world around us, or what it means for God's Spirit to be in us.
This is not an overly technical commentary, and the reader looking to do detailed exegesis would find it a little light on. However, if you're looking for a complimentary book to go with your reading of 1 Corinthians, or you're preparing to preach on it, then you would do well to include this in your reading.

[Ellie Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear and helpful commentary on 1 Corinthians, but he didn’t cover the final chapter??

[Calvin Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great wee book on 1Corinthians, full of truth and wisdom. I didn't agree with everything in it, but appreciated very much the call to a real world spirituality, saturated in the love of God, and looking for our reward not measured in the trinkets of this world, but in the boundless worth of the glory and presence of God in the one to come.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great commentary on Corinthians! Roberts brings out the biblical understanding and urges an evangelistic response. A great and helpful read especially for a younger Chrisian.

[Alasdair Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, practical treatment of 1 Corinthians.