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A Spiritual Clinic
A Lost Book from J. Oswald Sanders Now Re-Released with a Beautiful New Cover
"The complex strains and problems which the Christian encounters in the contemporary world find their answer, not in tranquilizers or stimulants, but in a correct understanding and application of scriptural principles."
-J. Oswald Sanders, from the introduction
J. Oswald Sanders (best known for his book Spiritual Leadership, which has sold over a million copies), touched hundreds of thousands of lives in his lifetime and continues to inspire Christians today. His books Spiritual Leadership, Spiritual Maturity, and The Incomparable Christ are beloved and well-read to this day. But there are two of his books that readers haven’t had access to in over 30 years.
A Spiritual Clinic is one of them. Life wears on us, we go through seasons of fatigue, strain and tension that take their toll, and we can easily fall into apathy. Sanders prescribes a powerful tonic of scriptural principles that lead to recovery and growth.
For anyone who feels worn out from their Christian life and could use a little spiritual doctoring, A Spiritual Clinic is for you.
"The complex strains and problems which the Christian encounters in the contemporary world find their answer, not in tranquilizers or stimulants, but in a correct understanding and application of scriptural principles."
-J. Oswald Sanders, from the introduction
J. Oswald Sanders (best known for his book Spiritual Leadership, which has sold over a million copies), touched hundreds of thousands of lives in his lifetime and continues to inspire Christians today. His books Spiritual Leadership, Spiritual Maturity, and The Incomparable Christ are beloved and well-read to this day. But there are two of his books that readers haven’t had access to in over 30 years.
A Spiritual Clinic is one of them. Life wears on us, we go through seasons of fatigue, strain and tension that take their toll, and we can easily fall into apathy. Sanders prescribes a powerful tonic of scriptural principles that lead to recovery and growth.
For anyone who feels worn out from their Christian life and could use a little spiritual doctoring, A Spiritual Clinic is for you.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
27 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
J. Oswald Sanders
124 books97 followersJ. OSWALD SANDERS (1902-1992) was a Christian leader for nearly seventy years and authored more than forty books on the Christian life including The Incomparable Christ, Spiritual Discipleship, Spiritual Leadership, and Spiritual Maturity. He left a promising law practice in his native New Zealand to serve as an instructor and administrator at the Bible College of New Zealand. Dr. Sanders later became general director of the China Inland Mission (now the Overseas Missionary Fellowship), and was instrumental in beginning many new missions projects throughout East Asia.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 27, 2019
This book was written to Christian leaders (pastors, etc.) and missionaries rather than laypeople. Not that it usually matters to me, but it did seem specifically aimed at them. I had problems with how the author presented his views. For example, the author said, 'this verse can't be read any way but this' and I'm thinking, "um, just read a book were someone did interpret it rather differently, and I tend to agree with them."
He also came across as harsh when giving his views on what the underlying problems are and how to fix it. To the person who is depressed, he gave three examples of people in the Bible who asked God to kill them. He pointed out that they were emotionally and physically exhausted, and he admits that they felt like God's miracles and their efforts weren't making a lasting impact (which I agree with). But he says that, even though they usually thought more about others than themselves, "In each case the desire to die stemmed from making self and self-interest supreme instead of God and His glory." Okay, not sure I even agree with that, but those words are a great way to make said person even more depressed. Those people were having a moment of temporary discouragement and needed to rest and recuperate (which he admits), but he spent much of his time talking about how you need to stop with the self-pity and get back to making God's glory your focus. Deny your feelings and be a good Christian!
While J. Oswald Sanders made some good points in this book, he didn't extend grace with his "prescriptions," so I didn't feel like his advice would ultimately encourage or enrich his reader's spiritual life. Perhaps this is because this book was such a contrast with a book I just read about taking a look at your emotions and seeing what they tell you about what you love and if that's a wrong (or right) thing to love. Those authors came across as compassionate and helpful.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
He also came across as harsh when giving his views on what the underlying problems are and how to fix it. To the person who is depressed, he gave three examples of people in the Bible who asked God to kill them. He pointed out that they were emotionally and physically exhausted, and he admits that they felt like God's miracles and their efforts weren't making a lasting impact (which I agree with). But he says that, even though they usually thought more about others than themselves, "In each case the desire to die stemmed from making self and self-interest supreme instead of God and His glory." Okay, not sure I even agree with that, but those words are a great way to make said person even more depressed. Those people were having a moment of temporary discouragement and needed to rest and recuperate (which he admits), but he spent much of his time talking about how you need to stop with the self-pity and get back to making God's glory your focus. Deny your feelings and be a good Christian!
While J. Oswald Sanders made some good points in this book, he didn't extend grace with his "prescriptions," so I didn't feel like his advice would ultimately encourage or enrich his reader's spiritual life. Perhaps this is because this book was such a contrast with a book I just read about taking a look at your emotions and seeing what they tell you about what you love and if that's a wrong (or right) thing to love. Those authors came across as compassionate and helpful.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
May 10, 2019
The mind of man is the battleground on which every moral and spiritual battle is fought. Because of its inherited bias toward sin (and self), the natural mind is hostile to God and does not submit to God's law-Indeed it cannot. See Romans 8:7
As Christians, we all need to go thru a spiritual clinic of sorts. Be reminded of whose we are, what that means and the pitfalls we encounter. From our part of sanctification to God's, when we get whose responsibility of sanctification is ours and what is Gods' wrong, it can lead to attitudes that are hurtful and damaging to following Christ.
Another pitfall of our Spiritual Clinic is suffering. Much as been written on suffering alone but in light of our overall spiritual clinic, suffering can bring to light our character, our fears and our faith. Paul's well known writings of My grace is sufficient. What does that mean and how can we apply that. It is the fire that makes a Christian. "Blessed fire which secures the companionship of the Son of God. My Grace - My love in action. Not a promise of grace to plead by a bestowal of grace upon which to draw".
The reading of this text shows how high the bar really is. It is not meant to be discouraging but to show where our focus and heart lies. It is meant to draw you nearer to the only one who can satisfy. Where not you get but receive to give. You cannot give what you do not have. It is important in our spiritual walk to realize what we are missing from God. What we are not drawing from him. What are we drawing from. The light or the darkness. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review. I did end up buying my own copy as my ARC was somewhat damaged. When I started reading, I realized that I needed a clean copy so I can get to receive.
As Christians, we all need to go thru a spiritual clinic of sorts. Be reminded of whose we are, what that means and the pitfalls we encounter. From our part of sanctification to God's, when we get whose responsibility of sanctification is ours and what is Gods' wrong, it can lead to attitudes that are hurtful and damaging to following Christ.
Another pitfall of our Spiritual Clinic is suffering. Much as been written on suffering alone but in light of our overall spiritual clinic, suffering can bring to light our character, our fears and our faith. Paul's well known writings of My grace is sufficient. What does that mean and how can we apply that. It is the fire that makes a Christian. "Blessed fire which secures the companionship of the Son of God. My Grace - My love in action. Not a promise of grace to plead by a bestowal of grace upon which to draw".
The reading of this text shows how high the bar really is. It is not meant to be discouraging but to show where our focus and heart lies. It is meant to draw you nearer to the only one who can satisfy. Where not you get but receive to give. You cannot give what you do not have. It is important in our spiritual walk to realize what we are missing from God. What we are not drawing from him. What are we drawing from. The light or the darkness. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review. I did end up buying my own copy as my ARC was somewhat damaged. When I started reading, I realized that I needed a clean copy so I can get to receive.
September 17, 2023
Such a great book. I've been coming back to it for decades...ever since I found an old hard cover on a shelf in a used book store. Sanders meant it for those who labor full time in ministry, but I believe the audience can and should be everyone. I have utilized it in my pastor/missionary ministry by offering it to many people even while being regularly mentored by it. For example, his chapter on suffering literally reveals God's heart, via the Lord's inspiration through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, on the true solution to pain and suffering. I'll not spoil it by revealing that solution here, but it's a powerful gift from God...and Sanders is a master at articulating this wonderful truth.
March 18, 2019
This book delivers exactly as titled. Divided into two parts, the book first deals with issues of the heart, and then addresses common difficulties encountered while serving. I found this book very helpful and would recommend it highly.
January 27, 2025
Excellent. I wish I had come upon this book when I was a young Christian in college and had big, deep questions about ministry. I searched for an older Christian male leader who could help answer such questions. I found no one . . . until now.
August 13, 2019
Sanders says, “Die climbing” (like Caleb in his old age). This is a good book about all the elements of Christian Growth. I encourage this book to all followers of Christ that want to grow.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews