The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality

by Michael A.G. Haykin

The God who Draws Near

Genres: Theology, Spirituality

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin is the Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and Director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He is also the editor of Eusebeia: The Bulletin of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. His present areas of research include 18th-century British Baptist life and thought, as well as Patristic Trinitarianism and Baptist piety.

Haykin is a prolific writer having authored numerous books, over 250 articles and over 150 book reviews. He is also an accomplished editor with numerous editorial credits.

Reviews

[Doug Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God Who Draws Near is a required text for the class Reformed Spirituality at Erskine Seminary. A good introduction to biblical spirituality. As my professor said "It is pithy" in the best sense. Filled with Scripture references and antidotes, especially from the Puritans.
The first chapter is on a trinitarian spirituality. "The first implication for Christian spirituality is to remain balanced in the way we think about God." Secondly, by being baptized into 'the name of Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit' Christians are affirming their faith in the God who who has revealed himself in the Scriptures as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...they are asserting to know him as triune being." pp. 7-8
Chapter 2 Knowing God And Knowing Ourselves. Taking Calvin's teaching in "The Institutes" one can start from either vantage point and end with God at the centere.
Chapter 3 A Christ-centered Spirituality. The Holy Spirit was sent to glorify Christ and Moses was a Christ-centered man.
Chapter 4 A Cross-centered Spirituality. Cross-centered spirituality is possible because of the sinlessness of Jesus and his taking all of God's wrath, thereby granting access to God through justification.
Chapter 5 A Spirituality of The Word. Dual authorship, the sufficiency if scripture and an example of responding to the Word in William Tyndale.
Chapter 6 Prayer and the Christian life. This chapter was most convicting personally. It has several great quotations like this one from Richard Baxter "Prayer is the breath of the new creature." P55
Chapter 7 Christian Meditation. He gives several helpful definitions of meditation. A list of subjects for meditation. The goal of meditation ( arousing such affections as desire, love, and delight). And again a model for meditation-Jonathan Edwards.
Chapter 8 Spiritual Friends As A Means Of Grace. Friendship in the scripture is "a knitting of the soul together"and "face to face encounters." P73 An example of Paul and Timothy from Acts, 1 Corinthians and Philippians is intriguing and helpful. The cost of friendship is time and work. The reason they fail is we fail to take the time cultivate them.
Chapter 9 Mission--The Inevitable Fruit Of True Spirituality.

[Joel Swokowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

For my Doctorate.

[Pig Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.

What should mark a Christian’s individual devotional life? How are Christians to individually train themselves for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7)? What means should Christians use to assist in being lead by the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26)?

In Michael Haykin’s book, the renowned historian explores these questions, and directs his readers to the Scriptures and the past to find answers. The author’s unique ability to intertwine Biblical teaching with historical examples makes for extraordinarily effective writing. The resulting work is lucid, edifying, and instructive.

[Timothy Denning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, an author can write on deep matters in an understandable way. This is a real gift and encouragement. The book looks at true spirituality. The importance of the word and the gospel are really helpful. Friendship also really good with examples to place this in its right setting.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short yet very helpful. Part theological introduction, part practical application to the Christian life. I can see this being helpful especially as a study for younger Christians and a challenge to older Christians.

[Nicholas Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little Intro to Biblical Spirituality. It has rich biblical and historical approaches to the topic.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agreed wholeheartedly with the ideas communicated by Haykin (the chapter on the Word is worth buying the whole book). However, I think a few of the chapters could use more explanation on how these activities are used by the Spirit to produce a pious Christian.

[Jeff Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to biblical spirituality. A necessary read in our hyper-spiritualized day that both introduces and summarizes what a distinctly biblical spirituality looks like. Also, Haykin's expertise as a historian shines through this work and adds a unique element to it.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely helpful exploration of Biblical Spirituality. It is well worth reading, and rereading.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent book. Dr. Haykin is an exceptionally gifted church historian, and here draws on much of his historical knowledge to write a basic introduction to Christian spirituality.