The Poor Doubting Christian Drawn to Christ

by Thomas Hooker

Showing the main obstacles that hinder believers from drawing near to Christ, with clear guidance for how to walk again in the light of God’s grace.

Do you ever tremble beneath the weight of hidden doubts, unable to bring your soul to rest? Have you wandered long in darkness, searching for a single promise to cling to?

In these pages, Thomas Hooker—first minister of Hartford—speaks directly to the poor doubting

What hinders you from drawing near to Christ’s tender mercy?How shall you quiet the clamoring of a conscience burdened by sin?Where will you turn when every human stay proves frail?Here you will find no flowery ornament, but plain, piercing the riches of God’s Word laid open, the way of salvation set forth step by step. Hooker guides you to cast off all reliance on your own strength and to lay hold of Christ’s promises—richly furnished for the faint and feeble.

Ministers and mourners alike will discover clear counsel for every stage of spiritual distress, and find their hearts drawn out of confusion into light.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1652

Reviews

[Josh Stowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with allegory that will make you underline for more miles than an average pen can handle. It seems like puritan writers were more illustrative, but also had longer trains of thought and that is true with this book. A good book on assurance that understands the value of faith as well as the horrid sin of not trusting that Christ can do what he said he would do ; seek and save that which is lost.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that will likely challenge you, but acts much like a balm for a wound. amAt first it might sting, but then the ointment takes hold and the relief overpowers and outlast the pain. Do you doing, or know someone who doubts, or preach to and care for those who doubt? This book may be the ointment you need

[Ross Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful. Hooker urges the doubting Christian to take hold of Christ, to wait for His promise, and to not allow doubt to steal his joy.

I would have loved for there to be more concrete examples of application.

[Richard Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book easily ranks among my all-time favorites.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is about the plots of Satan on the believer to guide them away from coming to Christ but it’s also and mainly our own depravity through sin and pride that impacts on our unwillingness to turn to Christ. Then the last few chapters deals with how to read, understand and hold onto the promises of God found in the Bible. By far the best part of this book.
Hooker is very frank, he holds nothing back and certainly does not beat around the bush. He has some GREAT points that really speak volumes. His principles of holding onto the promises of God, I will immediately put into practice and hold close to my heart. He doesn’t have the same pastoral tone as someone like a Spurgeon because he doesn’t deal delicately with sensitive matters.. but for the person who needs to hear the harsh truth in love, then this is the book I’d recommend to them.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many nuggets of beauty and wisdom in this book but also lists of things to do to seemingly obtain assurance and peace in Christ. I can't say they are wrong, but they seemed to be more method than faith. Perhaps sanctification is more our work than I make it to be but I was left unsure. However, his final word on the sufficiency of faith bringing in all the other virtues was excellent.

[Mark Nenadov]

Some good stuff in here, the writing is good though perhaps tedious at times.