Knowing And Growing in Assurance of Faith

by Joel R. Beeke

This is a clear guide to the Christian hope of heaven. Stressing Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension - and what they mean for the believer - A Christian's Pocket Guide to Assurance simply clarifies the biblical facts behind the doctrine of assurance of salvation.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 1978 and currently ministers at the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the editor of the Puritan Reformed Journal and The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine, the board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, the president of Inheritance Publishers, and the vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society.

Beeke has written and coauthored 120 books, edited 120 books, and contributed 2,500 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. He frequently lectures at seminaries and speaks at Reformed conferences around the world. The Lord has blessed him and his wife Mary with three children and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Justin Feland]

Joel Beeke handles the subject of assurance with such piercing insight that I doubt anyone would need to read any other book to get a solid grasp of the topic. Clothed in simple style, he weds historical expression to profound exegetical and theological insight to produce a substantial encouragement. He both seeks to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, all with that one glorious truth of the Gospel: Christ died to save sinners.

Excellent read. Highly recommend for personal edification, counseling, and small group studies.

[Chad Hill]

This is an excellent and accessible encouraging book. I will be mining the notes for further study in the time to come.

[Emma Spence]

I really love the tone and history that Joel Beeke uses, and this book was such a comfort to read. It helped explain so many of the struggles I’ve had or friends have had with assurance or occasions of doubt and suffering. I am thankful to feel like assurance is near in these days, but I think reading this book actually clarified that.

[Jeremy Lee]

This is a great book. One weakness of the Reformed view of assurance is that it doesn't seem to have an objective basis. Beeke argues that God's promises are the objective basis; however, these promises must be appropriated by subjective faith, which seems to undermine objectivity.

Beeke's chapter on evidences of grace helps make up for this weakness. Since one must only see evidence of one of many marks of grace to ground assurance, assurance can be found without inordinate introspection.

The rest of the book features Beeke's usual biblical and experiential teaching. He helps his reader to practically cultivate and renew assurance. His conclusion is a wonderful and urgent call for sinners to come to Christ.

Finally, although Beek does cover the public means of grace as a means to assurance, it all seems very individualistic. I would love to see a chapter on how the church aids believers with assurance: confession of sin, church discipline, etc.

[Grace Johnston]

Certain parts were a bit wordy for my small brain but overall great

[Joey Tomlinson]

Excellent, clear, and pastoral- will assign for counselees

[Justin]

Of all the books I have read on assurance through the years, this is by far the most biblically sound and practical. Joel Beeke, with his vast knowledge of Puritan writings, draws wisdom and scriptural Insight from the best Puritan writers on the subject of assurance of faith. The book is sure to be a great encouragement and blessing to any who read it.

[Jonathan]

Beeke defines assurance of faith, gives a historical overview of the doctrine, and explains exegetically and pastorally how to work through questions of assurance. One key takeaway for me was that if the believer can positively identify with any mark of saving grace, he may have confidence he possesses all grace, for no unbeliever has any marks of saving grace. Beeke's discussion of the witness of the Spirit was also the clearest explanation I've read and pastorally helpful. Recommended.

[Jan]

June 26, 2025 * 4 - 4.5 starts
Excellent. Started off by listening to it as an audio book, but it's so good I ended up also getting a print copy so I could highlight and mark up my own copy. And I'll need to read it again and should probably read it every year or two.

[Jennifer Osborn]

Very solid and helpful resource if you are struggling to understand (or are struggling *with*) this area of your walk with Christ.

[Mathew Nix]

This is a great book for all Christians to read and it will definitely help to build your understanding of and confidence in the doctrines of assurance.

[Jacob London]

Thought provoking and convicting.

[John Paul Arceno]

Very helpful. Soul satisfying answers.

[Tina Chooses Joy]

When we put our trust in God, we can be assured of his unfailing love. An encouraging book!

[Lauren Meissner]

This book is very comforting and helpful!

[Madeline]

I loved how he used meat, potatoes and desert to explain the promises of God, evidence of grace and witness of the spirit. I love this book!! It’s a game changer!

[Jason Dunlap]

Beeke gets out the doctrinal shovel in this book and digs deep into the reasons to have as well as not to have assurance of salvation in the life of a Christian---well worth time to read

[Megan, Empress of the Literary Kingdom, Conqueror of the Histories]

Rating: Loved It

[Rachel]

Just couldn't get in to it. Maybe because it wasn't anything new, rather stuff I already believe.

[Susanna]

I would give this book 5/5 if it was re-titled as “The Assurance of Faith: A Puritan Perspective on the Westminster Divines.” Beeke summarizes the puritan view on this matter excellently. Unfortunately, he omits the rest of the reformed tradition’s approach to assurance of salvation, which is more biblical.