The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety: John Flavel's Doctrine of Mystical Union with Christ

by J. Stephen Yuille

In The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety , J. Stephen Yuille demonstrates how the doctrine of the believer's union with Christ lies at the heart of the Puritan pursuit of godliness. He analyzes the whole corpus of Flavel's writing, showing how this mystical union is set upon the backdrop of God's covenant of redemption and established on the basis of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Chapters on the nature and acts of this union help readers gain a better understanding of what this union is, while chapters on the blessings, fruit, suffering, evidence, joy, practice, and hope associated with this union show more fully the experiential direction of Flavel's approach to theology.

Genres: Theology, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2007

About the author

J. Stephen Yuille is preaching-teaching pastor of Grace Community Church in Glen Rose, Texas. He is also the director of Baptist studies at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and the author of Living Blessedly Forever: The Sermon on the Mount and the Puritan Piety of William Perkins.

Reviews

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only a helpful introduction to an essential doctrine: Union with Christ, but it is also a wonderful introduction to Flavel. Yuille provides appropriate commentary throughout. It should be read and considered slowly, though it’s a short book.

[Jeff Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that makes me wish GoodReads had a 4.5 rating. The doctrine of union with Christ is such a significant one and this work is an excellent introduction to the topic. Yuille proves to be an excellent guide to the thinking of Flavel and other significant Puritans as he guides his readers to a better understanding of this essential doctrine and it's importance for spirituality. Though some of the Puritan terminology might prove a little burdensome to those unfamiliar with their writings, Yuille's clear commentary throughout makes this both a helpful and enjoyable read.

[Richard Roodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his Conclusion, the author states that he embarked on writing this study for 4 reasons:
i) to contribute to a greater admiration for John Flavel, the pastor-theologian;
ii) to give readers a greater understanding of Purtian spirituality;
iii) to contribute to a greater appreciation of what it means to be "mystically united to the Lord of glory"; and
iv) to develop in the life of Christian believers a greater burning of the heart "in love to Christ" (pg.115).
Having read this book slowly and carefully over several months, it is my opinion that Dr. Yuille achieved his stated goals and much more. Yuille's manner of writing is easy to read, and extensive footnotes provide the serious student with ample opportunity to explore specific areas of interest in more depth.

My favourite chapters - if there is such a thing! - were:
Chap.4 - The Act of Union with Christ.
I was especially helped by Flavel's tripartate understanding of the soul (the understanding, the will, the affections) over against the more common bipartate division of the soul in Reformed theology (understanding & the will). Of course, Reformed theology does not negate the faculty, or function, of "affections" but simply includes them under the banner of the will.
Chap.6 - The Fruit of Union with Christ
In this chapter, the paradigm of our union with Christ through the picture of Marriage to Christ is most helpfully & richly explained, with specific insights gleaned from Romans 7:1-6. The gleanings under the headings, "Fruit for Death" and "Fruit for God" are laden with practical challenges in the believer's self-examination with respect to his/her sanctification.
Chap.10 - The Practice of Union with Christ.
The five spiritual disciplines which Yuille draws out from Flavel's writing are, once again, a reminder of the heart of fostering a real or felt communion with Christ.

[Ben Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would highly recommend this book. It is simply delightful.

It has reminded me of the concreteness of our faith in Christ. Everything ultimately finds its glory and amen in Him. He is prophet, priest and King to us; and every aspect of our faith- our knowledge of God, our ability to pray, our hope in the face of sin, our desire for our heavenly home; all of it finds its only understanding in being united with Christ.

This is a short and deeply encouraging little book.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite chapters:
#7 The Evidence of union with Christ
#10 The Practice of Union with Christ

"The goal of Puritan meditation is to apply scripture successively to the faculties of understanding, affections and will." (p.100)