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Closer Than Close: Awakening to the Freedom of Your Union with Christ
How many times have you heard someone say, “I want to be close to God,” or “I feel far from Jesus?” For many of us, we have been led to believe that our relationship with Jesus is based on proximity—a sliding scale of “near” or “far” based on the faithfulness of our spiritual devotion.But what if being “close” to you isn’t good enough for Jesus? What if he wants to be closer than close? Instead of simply having a “personal relationship” with you, what if Jesus longs to be “perfectly one” with you instead?In this achingly bold and beautiful book, pastor, scholar, friend, and now author, Dave Hickman, invites you into his personal journey from striving to abiding, anxiety to peace, weariness to rest; from having a relationship with Jesus to awakening to the freedom of his union with Christ. Through careful attention to Scripture, personal stories, and everyday examples, join Dave as he guides you into the depths of the mystery of your personal and corporate union with Christ. In doing so, you, too, can awaken to the wonder and freedom that is already yours in Christ.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2016
Since I graduated from seminary in October 2013, I have spent increasing time working as an author alone. In my early seminary years, I was working as an economist full-time and traveling to classes once a month; later when I retired from government, I traveled to classes twice a month. Before and during seminary, I was a perpetual motion machine; now, I am still busy, but now I am busy alone. What’s different? I now longer feel a need to have music playing—I am content to work and live in silence. I share my day with God and am mostly at peace, even in the midst of daily chaos.
David Hickman, in his book, Closer than Close, writes:
“After years of striving to be close to Jesus, I stumbled upon the shocking reality that Jesus was already as close to me as he could possibly get. It was then that I discovered, in the words of Philip Yancey, ‘Jesus I never knew.’ Striving was replaced with abiding.” (xv)
When Jesus talks in the seventh Beatitude—Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matt 5:9), he is referring to the Jewish concept of shalom, where shalom (שָׁלוֹם) means “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace” (BDB 10002) and not the more limited idea of reconciliation, which we are more familiar with. This is why Hickman can say: “union with Christ has long been considered to be the central message of the Gospel” (xxvi) embodied in the word abiding and in the idea of being children of God—we are all brothers and sisters of our father in heaven.
Stilling, abiding is more than being members of God’s family. Hickman writes:
“What if the union I longed to have with my son was but a pale reflection of a ‘oneness’ I always longed to have with Jesus? What if Jesus never wanted to have a ‘close relationship’ with me? What if he always wanted to be ‘one’ with me instead?” (18)
This abiding is not a new idea, it is a very old idea that has its roots in the unity of God in the Shema (25-26):
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4-5)
In some sense, the abiding idea in the Gospel of John is a reflection of the unity modeled by the Trinity:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:4-7)
Obviously, Hickman wanders into the deep end of the pool here—I know that in my own experience, this sort of relationship with God “just is” and is hard to talk about it when people ask. How do you talk about the most intimate relationships with anyone else? It feels like something between bragging and betraying a confidence.
Hickman’s discourse on the union with God is organized, in part, around the meta-narrative of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. However, he recasts the biblical narrative in terms of union, disunion, reunion, and promise of perfect union (48). Stated in this way, our union with God is both modeled after the Trinity and modeled into our faith journey.
While there are many aspects of theology that could be discussed, I found Hickman’s implication for the spiritual disciplines the most interesting. He summarizes his comments under four topics: doing nothing, praying simply, staying attentive, and being led (104). Let me focus on each in turn.
Doing Nothing. Hickman writes: “it takes more faith to believe we are loved and accepted by God when we are doing nothing than when we are doing as much as we can for God.” (105) Repeat that ten times. Our salvation depends wholly on the work of Christ and does not depend on anything that we have done. Hickman uses the example of a child in the womb—the body of the child matures naturally as the child abides in the mother’s womb and has nothing to prove or do (107). This concept of abiding in Christ immediately affects our attitude about prayer.
Praying Simply. Hickman makes a profound statement: “prayer is more about who we are praying to than what we are saying.” (109) Again, he draws on an analogy to one of his children who, before he could speak, asked for a bagel by pointing to the bagel and then pointing to his mouth (113). Prayer is like a child pointing at things that are needed throughout the day.
Staying Attentive. Hickman notes that “the question is not whether God is fully present in our lives, but if we are living fully aware of God’s presence.” (115) Of course, sometimes God needs to draw our attention a bit more dramatically than usual, because of our inattention. Hickman refers to these as “love letters” from God (115).
Being Led. Hickman describes spiritual direction as: “The discipline of being led [which] involves the willingness to entrust yourself to someone else’s care.” (124) Spiritual direction is not counseling; it is not teaching; it involves having someone point to God’s work in your life and helping you find your true self in Christ.
David Hickman’s book, Closer than Close, is a fascinating exposition of the nature of God’s union with us, a relationship which is discussed in the New Testament but seldom discussed in any detail elsewhere. In my case, Closer than Close gave me a framework for discussing my own faith journey. Words matter. If you are serious about your faith, then this book is for you.
REFERENCES
Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius (BDB). 1905. Hebrew-English Lexicon, unabridged.
David Hickman, in his book, Closer than Close, writes:
“After years of striving to be close to Jesus, I stumbled upon the shocking reality that Jesus was already as close to me as he could possibly get. It was then that I discovered, in the words of Philip Yancey, ‘Jesus I never knew.’ Striving was replaced with abiding.” (xv)
When Jesus talks in the seventh Beatitude—Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matt 5:9), he is referring to the Jewish concept of shalom, where shalom (שָׁלוֹם) means “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace” (BDB 10002) and not the more limited idea of reconciliation, which we are more familiar with. This is why Hickman can say: “union with Christ has long been considered to be the central message of the Gospel” (xxvi) embodied in the word abiding and in the idea of being children of God—we are all brothers and sisters of our father in heaven.
Stilling, abiding is more than being members of God’s family. Hickman writes:
“What if the union I longed to have with my son was but a pale reflection of a ‘oneness’ I always longed to have with Jesus? What if Jesus never wanted to have a ‘close relationship’ with me? What if he always wanted to be ‘one’ with me instead?” (18)
This abiding is not a new idea, it is a very old idea that has its roots in the unity of God in the Shema (25-26):
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4-5)
In some sense, the abiding idea in the Gospel of John is a reflection of the unity modeled by the Trinity:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:4-7)
Obviously, Hickman wanders into the deep end of the pool here—I know that in my own experience, this sort of relationship with God “just is” and is hard to talk about it when people ask. How do you talk about the most intimate relationships with anyone else? It feels like something between bragging and betraying a confidence.
Hickman’s discourse on the union with God is organized, in part, around the meta-narrative of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. However, he recasts the biblical narrative in terms of union, disunion, reunion, and promise of perfect union (48). Stated in this way, our union with God is both modeled after the Trinity and modeled into our faith journey.
While there are many aspects of theology that could be discussed, I found Hickman’s implication for the spiritual disciplines the most interesting. He summarizes his comments under four topics: doing nothing, praying simply, staying attentive, and being led (104). Let me focus on each in turn.
Doing Nothing. Hickman writes: “it takes more faith to believe we are loved and accepted by God when we are doing nothing than when we are doing as much as we can for God.” (105) Repeat that ten times. Our salvation depends wholly on the work of Christ and does not depend on anything that we have done. Hickman uses the example of a child in the womb—the body of the child matures naturally as the child abides in the mother’s womb and has nothing to prove or do (107). This concept of abiding in Christ immediately affects our attitude about prayer.
Praying Simply. Hickman makes a profound statement: “prayer is more about who we are praying to than what we are saying.” (109) Again, he draws on an analogy to one of his children who, before he could speak, asked for a bagel by pointing to the bagel and then pointing to his mouth (113). Prayer is like a child pointing at things that are needed throughout the day.
Staying Attentive. Hickman notes that “the question is not whether God is fully present in our lives, but if we are living fully aware of God’s presence.” (115) Of course, sometimes God needs to draw our attention a bit more dramatically than usual, because of our inattention. Hickman refers to these as “love letters” from God (115).
Being Led. Hickman describes spiritual direction as: “The discipline of being led [which] involves the willingness to entrust yourself to someone else’s care.” (124) Spiritual direction is not counseling; it is not teaching; it involves having someone point to God’s work in your life and helping you find your true self in Christ.
David Hickman’s book, Closer than Close, is a fascinating exposition of the nature of God’s union with us, a relationship which is discussed in the New Testament but seldom discussed in any detail elsewhere. In my case, Closer than Close gave me a framework for discussing my own faith journey. Words matter. If you are serious about your faith, then this book is for you.
REFERENCES
Brown-Driver-Briggs-Gesenius (BDB). 1905. Hebrew-English Lexicon, unabridged.
August 11, 2024
Chapter 6, 7 and 8 are awesome. The rest are meh. It’s clear Hickman loves the Lord. I wish he would write more books. There are some awesome explanations / analogies in this book.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
August 8, 2016
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
What if we redefined what a relationship with God means? We have relationships with our friends. We meet with them over coffee, dinner, or activities. They support us in our trials, and we cheer them on in their victories. Our relationships tend to be meet-ups.
Do we think of our relationship with God that way? Do we meet-up with God on Sundays, in small groups, and other activities? Maybe some of us schedule time with God on a daily basis through prayer and Bible study.
Is that the intended relationship with God?
Dave Hickman thinks not. In Closer than Close: Awakening to the Freedom of Your Union with Christ, Hickman reminds the Christian that Christ has taken up residence in us–we are one with Him.
“C.S. Lewis once described the relational union between the Father, Son, and Spirit as a kind of ‘dance’ where all three persons of the Trinity make room for the others in a perpetual circle of self-giving and self-receiving love.” (p. 52)
The Greek fathers understood the Trinity as being “eternally ‘present with one another, for one another, and in one another.'” (p. 52)
Once we awaken to the love that union with Christ brings through salvation, we are free to walk with the Lord in complete delight and praise. “Fear gives way to faith. Doubt turns into assurance. Insecurity is replaced with security.” (p. 98)
As we walk in this freedom, we begin to delight in others and in ourselves as God’s beloved. That is when Jesus transforms us, making us more like Him.
If we truly “live, move and have our being“ in Jesus, we must practice being aware of God’s presence in our lives.
This unity extends to the church, for we are one with the body of Christ.
Jesus prayed for those who were His, present and future, that they would be one with each other. He said that people would know that they were His by the love that they had for each other.
Yet, surveys show that non-Christians view the church as divided, legalistic, judgmental, and condemning rather than loving and united.
Hickman asks “What if the church united around what we are for instead of what we are against?” (p. 152) This is the story of Charlotte/ONE. Pastors and youth leaders united to reach out to 20 and 30 somethings to bring them together to impact the City of Charlotte in a positive manner. More than 400 individuals united to make a difference in Charlotte.
This is a deep book. It is not a quick read. It is an important book that warrants thoughtful consideration and prayer.
Now, more than ever, this is a much-needed book.
I received a complimentary copy of this NavPress published book from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest opinion.
What if we redefined what a relationship with God means? We have relationships with our friends. We meet with them over coffee, dinner, or activities. They support us in our trials, and we cheer them on in their victories. Our relationships tend to be meet-ups.
Do we think of our relationship with God that way? Do we meet-up with God on Sundays, in small groups, and other activities? Maybe some of us schedule time with God on a daily basis through prayer and Bible study.
Is that the intended relationship with God?
Dave Hickman thinks not. In Closer than Close: Awakening to the Freedom of Your Union with Christ, Hickman reminds the Christian that Christ has taken up residence in us–we are one with Him.
“C.S. Lewis once described the relational union between the Father, Son, and Spirit as a kind of ‘dance’ where all three persons of the Trinity make room for the others in a perpetual circle of self-giving and self-receiving love.” (p. 52)
The Greek fathers understood the Trinity as being “eternally ‘present with one another, for one another, and in one another.'” (p. 52)
Once we awaken to the love that union with Christ brings through salvation, we are free to walk with the Lord in complete delight and praise. “Fear gives way to faith. Doubt turns into assurance. Insecurity is replaced with security.” (p. 98)
As we walk in this freedom, we begin to delight in others and in ourselves as God’s beloved. That is when Jesus transforms us, making us more like Him.
If we truly “live, move and have our being“ in Jesus, we must practice being aware of God’s presence in our lives.
This unity extends to the church, for we are one with the body of Christ.
Jesus prayed for those who were His, present and future, that they would be one with each other. He said that people would know that they were His by the love that they had for each other.
Yet, surveys show that non-Christians view the church as divided, legalistic, judgmental, and condemning rather than loving and united.
Hickman asks “What if the church united around what we are for instead of what we are against?” (p. 152) This is the story of Charlotte/ONE. Pastors and youth leaders united to reach out to 20 and 30 somethings to bring them together to impact the City of Charlotte in a positive manner. More than 400 individuals united to make a difference in Charlotte.
This is a deep book. It is not a quick read. It is an important book that warrants thoughtful consideration and prayer.
Now, more than ever, this is a much-needed book.
I received a complimentary copy of this NavPress published book from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest opinion.
August 24, 2016
Christians are in union with Christ, but what does that mean? While it is a mystery and we cannot comprehend it, Hickman says we can be conscious of it and live in its reality. He has written this book for everyday Christians who long for a deeper experience with Jesus but feel stuck.
He shares his own story of accepting Christ in his youth and doing all of the things he was taught to do to have a “close and personal” relationship with Jesus. As an adult, he became frustrated. He was doing everything he knew to do to be close to Jesus yet felt distant.
To help us understand the reality of union with Christ, Hickman explores the union in the Trinity. He reminds us union with Christ is essential for salvation. He suggests we need a paradigm shift. Rather than doing spiritual disciplines to get close to God, “we are free to rest and savor the perfect union we already have with God.” (102-103) Our Christian walk is to be a deepening awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of that union.
Hickman surprised me with his first suggested spiritual discipline: do nothing. We abide, awakening to the mystery and wonder of the union we have with Christ. Just be in union and savor it. He then follows with a few more disciplines, such as prayer.
This is a good book for Christians who have not read much on union with Christ but want to know what it is and what it means. Hickman uses illustrations from his own life and from movies, television, and popular songs. Because of that, this book might appeal to new or young Christians. I have read a few other books on union with Christ in the last month and this one is probably the least helpful in actually living in that reality.
He shares his own story of accepting Christ in his youth and doing all of the things he was taught to do to have a “close and personal” relationship with Jesus. As an adult, he became frustrated. He was doing everything he knew to do to be close to Jesus yet felt distant.
To help us understand the reality of union with Christ, Hickman explores the union in the Trinity. He reminds us union with Christ is essential for salvation. He suggests we need a paradigm shift. Rather than doing spiritual disciplines to get close to God, “we are free to rest and savor the perfect union we already have with God.” (102-103) Our Christian walk is to be a deepening awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of that union.
Hickman surprised me with his first suggested spiritual discipline: do nothing. We abide, awakening to the mystery and wonder of the union we have with Christ. Just be in union and savor it. He then follows with a few more disciplines, such as prayer.
This is a good book for Christians who have not read much on union with Christ but want to know what it is and what it means. Hickman uses illustrations from his own life and from movies, television, and popular songs. Because of that, this book might appeal to new or young Christians. I have read a few other books on union with Christ in the last month and this one is probably the least helpful in actually living in that reality.
August 10, 2016
Have you had a longing to be close to the Lord or at least closer than you are now? Have you tried a long list of things to try to get closer to Him and ended up feeling none of them really accomplished the goal?
Many of us have been there at one time or another or perhaps more than once or twice in our Christian walk.
That was true for Dave Hickman, author of the newly released book, Closer Than Close. For years he described himself as striving to be close to Jesus until (in his words) “I stumbled upon the shocking reality that Jesus was already as close to me as He could possibly get.”
If you have walked a similar walk, striving to be close to Jesus, wishing you could have a more connected relationship with Him, or glimpsed it in the life of someone else and wondered what you had missed, Closer Than Close, is a book you won’t want to miss reading.
Many of us have been there at one time or another or perhaps more than once or twice in our Christian walk.
That was true for Dave Hickman, author of the newly released book, Closer Than Close. For years he described himself as striving to be close to Jesus until (in his words) “I stumbled upon the shocking reality that Jesus was already as close to me as He could possibly get.”
If you have walked a similar walk, striving to be close to Jesus, wishing you could have a more connected relationship with Him, or glimpsed it in the life of someone else and wondered what you had missed, Closer Than Close, is a book you won’t want to miss reading.
January 31, 2019
They say you can't judge a book by its cover. That's good, because the cover of the advance review copy that Tyndale sent me is a really creepy eyeball and unfortunately the book cover misleads you about the book's content.
I also suggest you completely bypass the book's Foreword, because it will paint the book's author as someone you have nothing in common with, which makes it harder to relate to the content. That's a shame, because the book does make some good points worth considering--at least in chapter 1 where he actually discusses what the back cover says the book is about.
He makes a somewhat confusing attempt to explain the Trinity in chapter 2, but if you stay with him to chapter 3, you see that it's not quite the non sequitur that it seemed as you struggled through chapter 2. The truth is that Jesus said in John 14 that we would be in Him and He in us, just as He is in the Father, so trying to grasp the nature of the Trinity is important in understanding the level of union we have with God.
Unfortunately, in chapters 4 and 5 the author is still trying to explain the Trinity, and making no real progress toward helping me understand my relationship with God. It might well be a good book if you enter it with the right expectations, but the blurb for the book left me feeling like a victim of bait-and-switch.
I also suggest you completely bypass the book's Foreword, because it will paint the book's author as someone you have nothing in common with, which makes it harder to relate to the content. That's a shame, because the book does make some good points worth considering--at least in chapter 1 where he actually discusses what the back cover says the book is about.
He makes a somewhat confusing attempt to explain the Trinity in chapter 2, but if you stay with him to chapter 3, you see that it's not quite the non sequitur that it seemed as you struggled through chapter 2. The truth is that Jesus said in John 14 that we would be in Him and He in us, just as He is in the Father, so trying to grasp the nature of the Trinity is important in understanding the level of union we have with God.
Unfortunately, in chapters 4 and 5 the author is still trying to explain the Trinity, and making no real progress toward helping me understand my relationship with God. It might well be a good book if you enter it with the right expectations, but the blurb for the book left me feeling like a victim of bait-and-switch.
January 3, 2017
A really simple, introductory read on a topic that needs to be understood by everyone. It can be a transformative truth. I only downgraded it because I'm more interested in thicker stuff on the topic. I'd rate it much higher for the average reader. Dave's writing is honest and makes practical a topic that too-often stays theoretical. I'd recommend this book.
June 18, 2025
I enjoyed this read so much! Thank you for this depiction of how close God is to us ~ every day all the time!
November 17, 2016
"Until the truth of our union with God gets into our heart, it remains information."
These words were penned by Fil Anderson who writes the Foreword to this excellent book by Dave Hickman. For the majority of my Christian walk I've been one of those who've had the "information" in my head but it's only recently where I've discovered this union has travelled to my heart. And it has been a life changer.
Yes, I got that Jesus was inside me and I was a new creation but I never truly acknowledged that I was one with Him now. I thought it was something I needed to strive for or attain. But I've got it now in having accepted Jesus as my saviour.
What I lack is that depth of union that comes I guess from a continual being together and allowing the Lord to truly shepherd my life. And obedience.
Hickman does an outstanding job of explaining our union with Christ and why we can "miss it" as we journey through life. Chapters 7 and 8 are particularly good; I think I highlighted most of both. They cover "Personal identity" and the Paradigm Shift as regards the "Spiritual Disciplines." In regards to the latter, Hickman outlines the importance of intentionally positioning ourselves to receive everything the Father has for us. He used a great analogy of a baby in the womb: simply being there and receiving everything from their mother. "… it's choosing to believe that I am the utter delight of God the Father."
The last two chapters cover the importance of the Body of Christ, i.e., church and how we can all encourage each other in realising our position in Christ and to continue to abide.
Hickman has a very readable writing style and explains some "tough" passages of Scripture well. He shares how significant two mentors have been in helping him to come to understanding his identify in Christ which has challenged me to do likewise with some blokes.
Very highly recommended.
These words were penned by Fil Anderson who writes the Foreword to this excellent book by Dave Hickman. For the majority of my Christian walk I've been one of those who've had the "information" in my head but it's only recently where I've discovered this union has travelled to my heart. And it has been a life changer.
Yes, I got that Jesus was inside me and I was a new creation but I never truly acknowledged that I was one with Him now. I thought it was something I needed to strive for or attain. But I've got it now in having accepted Jesus as my saviour.
What I lack is that depth of union that comes I guess from a continual being together and allowing the Lord to truly shepherd my life. And obedience.
Hickman does an outstanding job of explaining our union with Christ and why we can "miss it" as we journey through life. Chapters 7 and 8 are particularly good; I think I highlighted most of both. They cover "Personal identity" and the Paradigm Shift as regards the "Spiritual Disciplines." In regards to the latter, Hickman outlines the importance of intentionally positioning ourselves to receive everything the Father has for us. He used a great analogy of a baby in the womb: simply being there and receiving everything from their mother. "… it's choosing to believe that I am the utter delight of God the Father."
The last two chapters cover the importance of the Body of Christ, i.e., church and how we can all encourage each other in realising our position in Christ and to continue to abide.
Hickman has a very readable writing style and explains some "tough" passages of Scripture well. He shares how significant two mentors have been in helping him to come to understanding his identify in Christ which has challenged me to do likewise with some blokes.
Very highly recommended.
November 3, 2016
Lately, I've been feeling the need to get as close to God as one can get. His pull has been so strong, that I can't ignore it any longer. Unfortunately, being raised Catholic made me feel as if I needed a ceremony to approach Him and have a close relationship with God. So when I had the opportunity to read this book, it was at the PERFECT time. David Hickman shares his personal stories on his journey to having that relationship with God that I wanted. In essence, I felt like he was giving me a road map, a very precious one. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to just shuck all the extras and get cozy with God.
August 17, 2016
After years of striving to maintain a "close and personal" relationship with Jesus, I fell in a heap of fatigue and self-condemnation. Out of that season, I came to the mind-blowing awareness that Jesus had always been as close to me as possible--having been made "one" with him through faith. Closer Than Close recounts my personal journey from striving to abiding, from weariness to rest, and from a "close relationship" with Jesus to an intimate union with Him. I hope you enjoy!
February 2, 2017
This book emphasizes the centrality of our union with Christ. That union is expressed in the words, "in Christ." The author shares many personal events in his discovery of this reality. It is an inspirational book which challenges the reader to realize the significance of our union with Christ and shows how this is a life-changing truth.
April 26, 2017
What would you get if you combined Wesleyan holiness pragmatism with Eastern Orthodox mysticism? Dave Hickman.
In Closer Than Close, Hickman transforms the language of “relationship with Jesus” into “union with Christ.” The result is both compelling and contagious. In reading Closer Than Close, I found myself longing for the union it describes and the freedom it promises.
Hickman’s writing is both lighthearted and meaty.
Among my favorite nuggets:
“During the Napster days (think Spotify, but illegal) . . . “
“God is divinely plural.”
“Salvation is not something; it is someone.”
“Eternal life isn’t something God produces but someone God offers.”
“He corrects you because he delights in you.
“Prayer is more WHO than WHAT.”
Closer Than Close is an extraordinary resource for both preaching and LifeGroup use.
In Closer Than Close, Hickman transforms the language of “relationship with Jesus” into “union with Christ.” The result is both compelling and contagious. In reading Closer Than Close, I found myself longing for the union it describes and the freedom it promises.
Hickman’s writing is both lighthearted and meaty.
Among my favorite nuggets:
“During the Napster days (think Spotify, but illegal) . . . “
“God is divinely plural.”
“Salvation is not something; it is someone.”
“Eternal life isn’t something God produces but someone God offers.”
“He corrects you because he delights in you.
“Prayer is more WHO than WHAT.”
Closer Than Close is an extraordinary resource for both preaching and LifeGroup use.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews