Living Zealously

by Joel R. Beeke, James A. La Belle, Derek W.H. Thomas (Foreward)

"In Living Zealously, Joel R. Beeke and James A. La Belle address the much overlooked topic of Christian zeal. Having mined the depths of Puritan wisdom on what it means to live earnestly for Christ, they explain it in a way that is familiar to our modern ears and applicable to our souls. Beeke and La Belle do us a valuable service by helping us see the importance of Christian zeal and encouraging us to obtain it. Read this book and ask God to deepen your Christian life with a burning and holy zeal.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

137 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 1978 and currently ministers at the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the editor of the Puritan Reformed Journal and The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine, the board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance Publishers, and the vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Beeke has written and coauthored 120 books, edited 120 books, and contributed 2,500 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. He frequently lectures at seminaries and speaks at Reformed conferences around the world. The Lord has blessed him and his wife Mary with three children and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Owen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully convicting and practical. The authors really do a great job explaining sacred zeal and exhorting the reader to pursue it in the light of Scripture.

[Greg Leininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. I enjoyed the very practical and applicable nature of the writing, but also mixed with much to stir our hearts to greater zeal. The final chapter and closing was my favorite part.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compendium of the Puritan theology of zeal, a subject which they knew very well.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great and convicting work on Christian zeal. Lots of references from the Puritans but explained in way that is still very readable.

[Dann Zinke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content but a hard book to sit down and read a lot of in one sitting. I'll have to go back to nibble at it during devotional times

[Tingting Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books now!!
“Let our progress in the way of heaven be with the same zeal, as we felt in our first entrance into it, and with the same seriousness, as when we shall come to the end of it.” Yes, let it be, Lord!

[Mark Loughridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful enough read. Solid teaching. Challenging in places. A book to read in your devotions rather than straight through.

2 stars = it was ok

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, short book on Christian zeal. It’s relatively short but helpful.

[Travis Breedveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. It's set up to be used as a curriculum,but since this book has a harder reading level, it may be harder for the average person.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!! So helpful, especially for those of us with big feelings!

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book on Christian zeal. All six chapters have very good study questions to help in application and understanding zeal as an essential component of our spiritual lives. Christian zeal can be seen as a Christian virtue, and the authors clearly define zeal and lay out the marks of Christian zeal. Another important aspect of the book is that false zeal is also defined and described. It is important to note that Christian zeal is marked by a fervent love for God and is ruled by Scripture; all other compnents flow from this. One of the most valuable aspects of this book is clearly defining Christian zeal and why it is important in the life of a Christian. Beeke and La Belle then proceed to describe the necessary regulation of Christian zeal, its objects, and the outworking and means of Christian zeal. This book is published by Reformation Heritage Books and is one in the series Deepen Your Christian Life. It is an outstanding addition to this series and its value lies in practically applying Christian virtues to our everyday lives. This is definitely worth reading thoughtfully more than once.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Wicked men are as swift as dromedaries in the ways of sin, and will you be as a dull as in the service of God?" -p. 35

I love the idea behind this series: presenting "in contemporary language the major teachings that several Puritans wrote on subjects that are seldom addressed adequately, if at all, today."

Considering that "the Puritans" lived, studied, preached, and wrote over a two hundred year period, I just wouldn't know where to start with reading more of "the Puritans."

This book was certainly thought provoking, and introduced me briefly to a handful of Puritans. I do find the structure of it sometimes confusing and occasionally unhelpful; I guess this is going to happen with a book that is trying to synthesise the works of several writers on a common subject.

Also, I worry about an undercurrent that I felt, which tugs in the spiritual equals heavenly, physical equals earthly direction. I don't know if I'm in error here, or if this is a weakness of either the Puritans discussed or the authors themselves. But still a worthwhile book.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The zealous Christian strives to be constant in every condition, in every duty, and against every sin. He hates every sin (Mark 9:43–48) and embraces every duty (Ps. 119:6). He allows himself no sin and excuses himself from no duty. His zeal puts a constant eye on his every thought, word, and deed. He watches his thoughts with all strictness (Phil. 4:8), governs his speech with all care (Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6), and guards his heart with all diligence (Prov. 4.23). The zealous Christian knows of no place in his life in which Christ is not Lord and considers no time in his life when the grace of zeal is unnecessary. Whatever he is given to do, he does it unto the Lord with all his might (Eccl. 9:10; Deut. 6:5; 1 Cor. 10:31)."

[Allen Haynie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 160 page book in the Deepen Your Christian Life series, drawing from Puritan writings to promote Christian living. It explains biblical zeal as a passionate, Spirit led commitment to God. Joel addresses the nature, motives, and expressions in worship, prayer, and service. This book is a great guide for believers seeking to revive/rekindle their spiritual fervor. The book combines scriptural insights, Puritan wisdom, and practical applications to support wholehearted devotion to Christ.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction to the Puritan concept of zeal, with which the American church would do well to become reacquainted. Beeke presents a well-organized and broad treatment of the nature, means, and outworking of Christian zeal. My only complaint was his academic tone, which made reading it feel like sitting through a college lecture. In spite of that, it is well worth reading and has made "zeal" a part of my vocabulary.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read (2.5-3 hours). I wish this book were more than an introduction to the topic of zeal. It outlines what zeal is very broadly in the first four chapters and proceeds to show you applications in the last two. Zeal, from what I understand, is a far more potent denominator in the Christian life than the book can outline. Nonetheless, well worth the read if you are interested in broaching the topic.

[Brian Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of a series of volumes that survey Puritan teaching on a particular topic and present it to the modern reader. Zeal is a currently neglected topic that occupied the Puritans, which means this book fills a gap. It is a warmly written book that is clearly written in the hope that its contents will draw its readers closer to God.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Puritan theology of "zeal" for the lukewarm heart. Zeal, according to Beeke and La Belle is "a purposeful stirring and enflaming of the affections" which "captures the believer's affections and drives them towards a specific, biblical goal."

[Jim Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for me about a topic I knew little. I needed this book.

[Neil Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights on Christian zeal. Very encouraging to come back to.