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Rest: A Consideration of Faith vs. Faithfulness
Many Christians evaluate their lives and ask the same Am I doing enough? Have I shown enough discipline, enough dedication, or enough effort? Would praying and reading my Bible more help me overcome . . . remove . . . have . . .? You may feel that you put so much effort into improving your Christian life with no apparent fruit. Sins you thought would have been easier to overcome are still plaguing your daily life.
You are not alone, and you are not crazy! Many Christians today live on this sort of performance-based treadmill, running fast and getting nowhere. Trying harder and doing more haven’t produced assurance or victory over sin. You’re exhausted. You feel empty and fake inside. You feel guilty for merely wanting to just coast, to give in, to stop trying. The foundation of Christianity is faith. And the foundation of the Christian faith, we will argue in this primer, is rest.
In this book, Jon Moffitt, Jimmy Buehler, and Justin Perdue explain how weary pilgrims can find rest in Jesus Christ.
You are not alone, and you are not crazy! Many Christians today live on this sort of performance-based treadmill, running fast and getting nowhere. Trying harder and doing more haven’t produced assurance or victory over sin. You’re exhausted. You feel empty and fake inside. You feel guilty for merely wanting to just coast, to give in, to stop trying. The foundation of Christianity is faith. And the foundation of the Christian faith, we will argue in this primer, is rest.
In this book, Jon Moffitt, Jimmy Buehler, and Justin Perdue explain how weary pilgrims can find rest in Jesus Christ.
41 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2021
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 6, 2024
A great reminder for modern believers of the power of the gospel and the rest that can be found in Christ. Because the book is so short, however, there was little room to develop fully the authors' arguments.
July 17, 2025
This was an interesting, short read. It certainly causes you to stop and think.
I absolutely agree with the main idea that, as believers, we are called to rest in Christ. We are not supposed to be looking to our own lives and actions to find our assurance of salvation.
However, I think there are a number of issues with the book.
1. Lack of scriptural support
2. Black and white view of pietism and confessionalism
3. Simplistic view of Scripture.
4. Proud tone (possibly subjective)
Lack of scriptural support
For the whole first half of the book, (which includes the chapters on defining pietism and confessionalism, then contrasting pietistic and confessional contexts) I could not find a single verse reference. Then even throughout the rest of the book, they are limited, and generally grouped around claims that aren't really disputed. Page 26 has 13 passage references all lumped together in one paragraph to support the idea that, "Christ has provided us with righteousness by fulfilling God's law in our place." (p26) But then in the 13 paragraphs before and after that, there are only 2 scripture passages referenced. As a result, they end up making many bold statements, without attempting to defend them scripturally. "Fighting sin is fighting to rest." (p39)
Black and white view of pietism and confessionalism
The authors make many accusations against pietism, some of which are quite serious, to the point where is seems like pietism is completely unbiblical.
"In essence, pietism focuses on the Christian rather than Christ." (p14)
"In a pietistic context, the gospel is often a kind of a footnote in the corporate gathering… in a confessional context, the gospel permeates every aspect of the service." (p19)
"In pietism, law and gospel are often mixed. In some cases, the law is preached as gospel (obey well enough to in order to be saved)… In confessionalism, a proper distinction is maintained between the law and the gospel." (p20)
"[In pietism] assurance is often presented as the pursuit of the Christian life." (p21)
"In a pietistic environment, believers are usually pointed inside themselves." (p22) (In confessionalism believers are pointed to the righteousness of Christ. p23)
"[In pietism] the Lord' Supper is a time of anxiety and panic for many… In confessionalism, the sacraments are seen as signs of God's faithfulness." (p23)
From the start, they never say anything positive about pietism, only bad. There is never any nuance given. Pietism is always directly contrasted with confessionalism, (never mentions what they might agree on) so we are left to assume that everything confessionalism says, pietism says the opposite. That assumption is reinforced with statements like, "Confessionalism has a completely different emphasis than pietism." (p17) So then when they say, "Confessionalism points to outside ourselves to the finished work of Christ… Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. The work is finished. Our salvation is certain--because of Jesus. And so, we have assurance. Our standing before God is secure, and we are safe." (p26) They make it sound like a pietistic church would disagree with that. But any church that preaches that we are saved by faith alone, and believes we cannot lose our salvation would agree with those statements as well. They make it clear that they are not trying to find common ground or enter into a discussion to find balance, they are simply saying pietism = bad, confessionalism = good.
Simplistic view of Scripture
The Bible is a complex book. Not that it is necessarily hard to understand, but there are many truths that must be understood with nuance and balance. Many of the things pietism emphasizes are based in scripture. Many of the things confessionalism emphasizes are as well. But these truths are not in conflict with each other, they are meant to be understood with balance. But this book chooses to only reference those scripture that agree with their arguments, and ignore everything else. Which is a very poor hermeneutic that can easily lead to misinterpretations and confirmation biases.
- Yes, we are supposed to rest in Christ, but we are also called to engage in the struggle to discipline ourselves. (1 Cor. 9:23-27)
- Yes, the Lord's supper is sign of God's faithfulness to us, but it is also to be taken seriously, because we are told that people have died for taking it unworthily. (1 Cor. 11:27-30)
- Yes, our salvation is founded on Christ and his sacrifice, and there is nothing we need to do, but the Bible also uses words like "labor, strive, exercise self-control, be disciplined, etc." to describe our living out the Christian life. (1 Cor. 9:23-27; 1 Cor. 15:10; Col. 1:28-29; 1 Tim. 6:11-12)
- Yes, gathered church worship is a means of sanctification, but so is loving God's Word through personal Bible reading and meditating on it "day and night." (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-3; Ps. 119)
- No, our standing before God is not determined by our performance, but we have commands like "be holy, for I am holy," and statements like "Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." (1 Pet. 1:15-19; 1 Jn. 3:17)
- No, we are not supposed to be anxious about the state of our salvation, knowing that it is sure, but we are also told, "Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it." and "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you." (Heb. 4:1-2; Phil. 2:12-13)
I could go on, but you get the point. God's word is deep and beautiful. We can have 100% confidence that our salvation is certain, and yet be passionately pursuing a life that is worthy of the gospel, motivated by love for God AND fear of grieving him. (All scriptures referred to will be at the bottom of the review.)
Proud tone
Now this is a subjective assessment, so feel free to disagree, but to me it seems like they have a somewhat proud tone throughout the book. As if they have discovered the perfect solution while everyone else is missing it. "Evangelicalism is a pietistic movement. Pietism and revivalism have shaped the evangelical church in America. And so, pietism is ubiquitous to the American church." (p15). Basically, everyone around them (who is not confessional) has it wrong, and they alone have managed to escape the tyranny of pietism.
In the end, I do not disagree with what they say about how we need to keep the gospel as the foundation for everything, and to not be obsessed with our own behavior. Do extreme examples of pietism exist, where people neglect the gospel? Of course. But I don't think it's fair to assume that everyone who prioritizes personal Bible reading, and a expects progressive growth in godliness, has missed the mark. The truth is, much of the epistles are instructions on how to live a Christian life in the midst of a corrupt word. Christian living, and the personal pursuit of godliness is a front burner issue in the New Testament. And it does that while still allowing the gospel to permeate every aspect of it. I think we can do that too.
————————————————————————————
Josh. 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Psalm 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Mt 7:19–20 - Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.
1 Cor. 9:23-27 - I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Cor. 11:27-30 - Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number asleep.
1 Cor. 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Phil. 2:12-13 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Col. 1:28-29 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
1 Tim. 1:18-19 - This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
1 Tim. 6:11-12 - But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Heb 2:1 - For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
Heb 4:1-2 - Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
Heb. 5:12 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Heb. 10:26-27 - For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
Heb. 12:14-15 - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
1 Pet. 1:15-19 - but alike the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Pet. 2:2 - like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
2 Pet. 1:5-12 - Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
1 Jn. 2:3-5 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
2 Jn. 2:9-10 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 Jn. 2:29 - If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 Jn. 3:7 - Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
I absolutely agree with the main idea that, as believers, we are called to rest in Christ. We are not supposed to be looking to our own lives and actions to find our assurance of salvation.
However, I think there are a number of issues with the book.
1. Lack of scriptural support
2. Black and white view of pietism and confessionalism
3. Simplistic view of Scripture.
4. Proud tone (possibly subjective)
Lack of scriptural support
For the whole first half of the book, (which includes the chapters on defining pietism and confessionalism, then contrasting pietistic and confessional contexts) I could not find a single verse reference. Then even throughout the rest of the book, they are limited, and generally grouped around claims that aren't really disputed. Page 26 has 13 passage references all lumped together in one paragraph to support the idea that, "Christ has provided us with righteousness by fulfilling God's law in our place." (p26) But then in the 13 paragraphs before and after that, there are only 2 scripture passages referenced. As a result, they end up making many bold statements, without attempting to defend them scripturally. "Fighting sin is fighting to rest." (p39)
Black and white view of pietism and confessionalism
The authors make many accusations against pietism, some of which are quite serious, to the point where is seems like pietism is completely unbiblical.
"In essence, pietism focuses on the Christian rather than Christ." (p14)
"In a pietistic context, the gospel is often a kind of a footnote in the corporate gathering… in a confessional context, the gospel permeates every aspect of the service." (p19)
"In pietism, law and gospel are often mixed. In some cases, the law is preached as gospel (obey well enough to in order to be saved)… In confessionalism, a proper distinction is maintained between the law and the gospel." (p20)
"[In pietism] assurance is often presented as the pursuit of the Christian life." (p21)
"In a pietistic environment, believers are usually pointed inside themselves." (p22) (In confessionalism believers are pointed to the righteousness of Christ. p23)
"[In pietism] the Lord' Supper is a time of anxiety and panic for many… In confessionalism, the sacraments are seen as signs of God's faithfulness." (p23)
From the start, they never say anything positive about pietism, only bad. There is never any nuance given. Pietism is always directly contrasted with confessionalism, (never mentions what they might agree on) so we are left to assume that everything confessionalism says, pietism says the opposite. That assumption is reinforced with statements like, "Confessionalism has a completely different emphasis than pietism." (p17) So then when they say, "Confessionalism points to outside ourselves to the finished work of Christ… Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. The work is finished. Our salvation is certain--because of Jesus. And so, we have assurance. Our standing before God is secure, and we are safe." (p26) They make it sound like a pietistic church would disagree with that. But any church that preaches that we are saved by faith alone, and believes we cannot lose our salvation would agree with those statements as well. They make it clear that they are not trying to find common ground or enter into a discussion to find balance, they are simply saying pietism = bad, confessionalism = good.
Simplistic view of Scripture
The Bible is a complex book. Not that it is necessarily hard to understand, but there are many truths that must be understood with nuance and balance. Many of the things pietism emphasizes are based in scripture. Many of the things confessionalism emphasizes are as well. But these truths are not in conflict with each other, they are meant to be understood with balance. But this book chooses to only reference those scripture that agree with their arguments, and ignore everything else. Which is a very poor hermeneutic that can easily lead to misinterpretations and confirmation biases.
- Yes, we are supposed to rest in Christ, but we are also called to engage in the struggle to discipline ourselves. (1 Cor. 9:23-27)
- Yes, the Lord's supper is sign of God's faithfulness to us, but it is also to be taken seriously, because we are told that people have died for taking it unworthily. (1 Cor. 11:27-30)
- Yes, our salvation is founded on Christ and his sacrifice, and there is nothing we need to do, but the Bible also uses words like "labor, strive, exercise self-control, be disciplined, etc." to describe our living out the Christian life. (1 Cor. 9:23-27; 1 Cor. 15:10; Col. 1:28-29; 1 Tim. 6:11-12)
- Yes, gathered church worship is a means of sanctification, but so is loving God's Word through personal Bible reading and meditating on it "day and night." (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-3; Ps. 119)
- No, our standing before God is not determined by our performance, but we have commands like "be holy, for I am holy," and statements like "Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." (1 Pet. 1:15-19; 1 Jn. 3:17)
- No, we are not supposed to be anxious about the state of our salvation, knowing that it is sure, but we are also told, "Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it." and "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you." (Heb. 4:1-2; Phil. 2:12-13)
I could go on, but you get the point. God's word is deep and beautiful. We can have 100% confidence that our salvation is certain, and yet be passionately pursuing a life that is worthy of the gospel, motivated by love for God AND fear of grieving him. (All scriptures referred to will be at the bottom of the review.)
Proud tone
Now this is a subjective assessment, so feel free to disagree, but to me it seems like they have a somewhat proud tone throughout the book. As if they have discovered the perfect solution while everyone else is missing it. "Evangelicalism is a pietistic movement. Pietism and revivalism have shaped the evangelical church in America. And so, pietism is ubiquitous to the American church." (p15). Basically, everyone around them (who is not confessional) has it wrong, and they alone have managed to escape the tyranny of pietism.
In the end, I do not disagree with what they say about how we need to keep the gospel as the foundation for everything, and to not be obsessed with our own behavior. Do extreme examples of pietism exist, where people neglect the gospel? Of course. But I don't think it's fair to assume that everyone who prioritizes personal Bible reading, and a expects progressive growth in godliness, has missed the mark. The truth is, much of the epistles are instructions on how to live a Christian life in the midst of a corrupt word. Christian living, and the personal pursuit of godliness is a front burner issue in the New Testament. And it does that while still allowing the gospel to permeate every aspect of it. I think we can do that too.
————————————————————————————
Josh. 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Psalm 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Mt 7:19–20 - Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.
1 Cor. 9:23-27 - I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Cor. 11:27-30 - Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number asleep.
1 Cor. 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Phil. 2:12-13 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Col. 1:28-29 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
1 Tim. 1:18-19 - This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
1 Tim. 6:11-12 - But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Heb 2:1 - For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
Heb 4:1-2 - Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
Heb. 5:12 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Heb. 10:26-27 - For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
Heb. 12:14-15 - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
1 Pet. 1:15-19 - but alike the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Pet. 2:2 - like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
2 Pet. 1:5-12 - Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
1 Jn. 2:3-5 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
2 Jn. 2:9-10 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 Jn. 2:29 - If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 Jn. 3:7 - Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
June 15, 2022
I love how this Christ-centered read prompts me to refocus on The Faithful One.
June 19, 2023
A friend recently made me aware of the Theocast podcast and I've enjoyed some of their episodes (their recent conversation on theomony is excellent). I'll admit at the get-go that I'm still early in exploring Baptist confessionalism and haven't even finished reading the 1689, so I'm writing this as someone who is very much just starting to tip his toes in confessional waters.
I appreciate the emphasis on resting in Christ and living our Christian life from that foundation. However, I'm not sure if I agree their piety/pietism distinction within evangelicalism. Some of that is no doubt happening in American churches. But they paint with a pretty broad brush and seem unhealthy suspicious of spiritual disciplines, the pursuit of holiness, and private devotion.
That said, I appreciate how highly they hold the importance of the gathered church. There are no doubt many Christians today who place primary importance on individual rather than corporate practice of the faith (one of the reasons I'm a big fan of 9marks). This approach is wrong. The two serve one another. I just don't think I would downplay the individual Christian life as much as they do here.
I appreciate the emphasis on resting in Christ and living our Christian life from that foundation. However, I'm not sure if I agree their piety/pietism distinction within evangelicalism. Some of that is no doubt happening in American churches. But they paint with a pretty broad brush and seem unhealthy suspicious of spiritual disciplines, the pursuit of holiness, and private devotion.
That said, I appreciate how highly they hold the importance of the gathered church. There are no doubt many Christians today who place primary importance on individual rather than corporate practice of the faith (one of the reasons I'm a big fan of 9marks). This approach is wrong. The two serve one another. I just don't think I would downplay the individual Christian life as much as they do here.
June 13, 2025
(4/5) A good, quick beach read. It was encouraging even if I find myself disagreeing with the authors slightly here and there.
June 24, 2023
This can be a helpful tool to introduce someone to Reformed theology.
November 1, 2023
A solid pamphlet-length book on resting in faith rather than trying to work for it. Some good nuggets in there and always good reminders. Perhaps due to its brevity, it leaned heavily on a few sides to the exclusion of talking about the good of the others (corporate vs. individual faith and faith vs. the outcome of your faith and the discipline in it).
June 29, 2022
A very helpful little book!
March 19, 2023
So much truth and revelation contained in such a small book.
April 9, 2024
Good distinctions, but the ideas were underdeveloped. I'm hoping to hear more about their thoughts by listening to the podcast, but this book was barely more than a pamphlet.
June 3, 2024
A precious reminder
December 7, 2024
Wow. Wow. Wow. Phenomenal. This book put words to my concerns and spelled out what it means to truly rest in Christ’s finished work.
August 3, 2025
A really powerful book I think would be very helpful for anyone living in or coming from a works-based, self-improvement faith context. This is likely true for any evangelical in our era.
The authors do an incredible job of pointing you to Jesus and resting in his finished work instead of putting the emphasis on the believer to do the job, savior or not.
The authors do an incredible job of pointing you to Jesus and resting in his finished work instead of putting the emphasis on the believer to do the job, savior or not.
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