True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality

by Allan Chapple

This book is about how God’s Word shapes and rules our devotion to him. What is the best way of talking about this? ‘Spirituality’ is what many people call it, but this is not the ideal word. It can mean a great many things, some of them very far removed from anything the Bible teaches. ‘Piety’ is another possibility, but this is sometimes used in a rather negative way. Preferable is ‘Devotion’. When we speak of a couple being ‘devoted’ to each other, we mean that their relationship is strong, loyal, and loving – which is how we should relate to God. All three words are used in this book. In each case it is talking about how we relate to God, that is, how we express and exercise personal relationship with him. The aim is to examine what the Bible teaches about knowing God and living with him. Why ‘True Devotion’? For two we must be truly devoted to God - our relationship with him must be real and deep; and we must be devoted to him truly - our devotion must be grounded in and governed by the truth, by the teaching of the Bible.This book draws on both the Scriptures and the writings of Christians of the past. Part 1 unpacks ‘Gospel Spirituality’ as responsive, paradoxical and relational; Part 2 critiques ‘The Mystical Way’, discussing experience of God and his voice, prayer, the inward journey and the testimony of mystics and reformers. Part 3 looks for ‘The Way Ahead’, focussing on meditation and concluding with a call to a Christ-centred, responsive spirituality.ALLAN CHAPPLE is senior lecturer in New Testament at Trinity Theological College, Perth WA. He has pastored churches in Western Australia and England, and was founding Director of the Perth Centre for Applied Christian Studies, then founding Principal of Trinity Theological College.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2015

About the author

Allan Chapple has pastored churches in Australia and the UK, ministered to students in universities, and taught theology at seminaries in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Perth, Australia. With a passion for the Bible, Allan has written "A Gospel Pageant: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation", "Preaching: A Guidebook for Beginners", "GPS: God's Plan for Salvation" and "True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality". He's been married to Allison since 1974, and they have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Reviews

[Annaliese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally write reviews, but this book was so brilliant that I feel I had to!

The worlds quest for true devotion is, well, worldly… and Chapple seeks to challenge these views from a biblical view point in a careful and thorough way. This book is saturated in scripture and is so helpful for pushing you to go back to the Word and to the Lord Jesus for true devotion.

I read this book quite fast so I’m keen to go back over it slower and really digest it more fully. I’m sure I’ll be returning to this book regularly and recommending it to those I know. I think this book is up there with some of my favourite Christian books that I’ve read!

[Noah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Addresses how God's Word shapes and rules our devotion to Him. Chapple bases his arguments on Scripture, the Reformers, and the Puritans. Notable chapters include: A Paradoxical Spirituality, Experiencing God, and Mystics & Reformers.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world craving for something "spiritual" and a church seeking something outside of what God has already provided, Allan Chapple's book offers excellent treatment of true spirituality and how one can be authentic in his/her relationship with God. Chapple takes on the all-too-commonly embraced extra-biblical mysticism so popular in our day and shows how true spirituality is rooted and grounded in the Gospel with Christ Jesus at the center. Chapple explains the compromises in the church across the globe, the oft-repeated return to the mystic monks, and the inherent problems of such. But Chapple isn't just about attacking false beliefs. He writes extensively about true devotion, noting that it is through true, biblical devotion that one would experience God, would hear the voice of God, all in Scripture. Unlike the mysticism that is often promoted, the author shows how Scripture is God's communication to mankind, and prayer is based upon Scripture and is our communication with God; demonstrating how the popular idea of hearing the voice of God in prayer is not a biblical perspective. Chapple rightly addresses the concept of meditation and shows how Biblical meditation contrasts with the new-age form of meditation that is so prominent in the church. He demonstrates how the reformers came out of forms of mysticism much like the mysticism that many in the church today are embracing, and he ties it all together to explain Biblical prayer, Biblical spirituality, and a Biblical true devotion.

I highly recommend this book to believers.

[Ernest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapple challenges views of authentic spirituality in examining ‘what the Bibles teaches about knowing God and living with him’. He examines some common views and critiques them, pointing out where things might have gone awry (perhaps looking a bit personal at times, although the focus is on the meaning and not the individual) and affirming, with links to scripture, things in the right direction. Some of the formatting may have been altered to assist in making this a stronger work (for example, chapter breaks and the contents), but these are minor things compared to the content. His insights are more than useful and seek to reorient the believer into what authentic spirituality truly is.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a hard time rating this book…

Section 1 was a bit of a slog for me. Full of truth and good theology, but way more set-up than was needed in my opinion.

Section 2 was very challenging. He calls out lots of authors and shows how they are promoting mystical practices that are not supported by the scriptures. Some of those were books I have liked. But as I read their quotes and Chapple’s arguments against them - I think he’s right.

Section 3 (chapter 11 really) was really helpful. This extended look at what the reformers meant by meditation was what I had hoped for from a book I read earlier in the summer but it fell flat on this point. Chapple was very good here.

[Rana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the formatting could have been improved, it is a good book. I particularly appreciated the "missing link" between Bible study and prayer. The author’s example of working through Psalm 77 was helpful. This book is both practical and biblically based, with a Christ-centered focus. I plan to read it again because I’m sure I didn't absorb as much as I would have liked during my first reading.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read. It shows so beautifully the Christ-centred and word-focussed nature of true spirituality, while offering a helpful critique of Christian mysticism in the process. I especially love how grounded in God's word this book is, as well as Chapple's rich engagement with the reformed tradition. And his encouragement towards biblical meditation was excellent and timely.

[curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, pastoral, very common-sense approach to spirituality. Absolutely saturated with (and relentlessly focused upon) Scripture, and steeped in the very best theology of the Reformers and the Puritans, Chapple's work is a welcome antidote to much of the (often profane) silliness that passes for 'Christian spirituality' these days. Highly recommended.

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We live "by faith not by feelings" is his main point.
In this in-between stage of the now and not yet coming of Christ, a really helpful book to encourage you to stick with true devotion according to the gospel.

[Bill Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! This is a work that will challenge you but it is well worth the investment.

[Brittany]

Recommended by Kevin deyoung podcast

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 3 book I think every Christian should read. Kevin DeYoung mentioned this book on a podcast as a book not many people have heard of that deserves to be more well-read and I couldn't agree more. Easily the best book on Christian Spirituality, Life in the Spirit, or simply what it means to live as a Christian. Dispels a lot of the unbiblical practices we have grown accustomed to in Evangelicalism in the 21st century. Can't recommend it more!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem. Soaked in scripture and the author fairly engages with historical and contemporary thought on spirituality and how one hears from God. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. An instant classic.