He That Is Spiritual

by Lewis Sperry Chafer

Few books have been more warmly received by Bible teachers and students. He That is Spiritual defines true Christian living and unfolds the biblical teaching concerning spirituality -- what it is, and how it is secured. Nothing could be more important to Christians than the theme of this book. Its sound teaching corrects many false impressions and presents a scriptural pattern for the full life in Christ.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1942

About the author

Lewis Sperry Chafer was an evangelist and educator, founder and first president of Dallas Theological Seminary (originally Evangelical Theological College), and an influential proponent of Christian Dispensationalism and vehement opponent of covenant theology.

Reviews

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d heard for a long time that Lewis Sperry Chafer founded the Evangelical Theological College with the idea that “the textbook is the Bible.” But I didn’t know exactly what that meant. How could the Bible alone be a textbook? Now I’ve read He That Is Spiritual, and I understand. In this tour-de-force study of the spiritual life that God calls Christians to, Chafer uses only the Bible, with no references to other sources, to elucidate a clear biblical perspective. Obviously, Chafer has benefited from other sources (commentaries, language study, and so forth), but He That Is Spiritual is not primarily a synthesis of other opinions; rather, it is an exercise in what can be learned by using only the Bible. And Chafer clearly knows his way around the Bible extraordinarily well.

What surprised me (it shouldn’t have) is that the book that resulted from Chafer’s intensive study conveys a generous, loving tone. Chafer communicates with precision, but nowhere do I see the kind of harsh, judgmental tone I might expect from a book written at this point in the Fundamentalist era. (Though Chafer’s views in some ways aligned with Fundamentalism, he himself was put off by the confrontational tone of Fundamentalist rhetoric. The seminary he founded was and continues to be denominationally unaffiliated. He believed his mandate was to preach the truth, rather than become entangled in argument and controversy.)

The writing style now feels somewhat archaic and complex, and so the book demands a slow pace. But the content continues to be fresh and fascinating. Essentially, Chafer asks why some Christians seem to be distant from the abundant life Jesus promised his followers. What is the full spiritual life, and what keeps us from it if we’ve been redeemed? These questions will always be relevant, and I found Chafer’s answers compelling.

What Chafer omits from his study is a sense of the community’s role in the spiritual life. He looks mostly at the individual Christian, and I think a similar book today would benefit from expanding that scope to ask what a community of people all on this same path can expect from one another, become together, and model for the rest of society, beyond what each individual person does.

That critique aside, I read just a few pages of this each day, and I enjoyed it as slow food for my devotional time. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read.

[Christine Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Chafer, he takes complicated bible doctrines and easily breaks them down into easy english so that us commoners can also understand the great teachings of the spiritual life. This man is one of the greatest teachers in recent history. A definite read for anyone who takes their spiritual life seriously.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for believers on how to live a full, godly life. It was written by the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary.

[A. Jacob W. Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great devotional classics. Contrary to public discussion, Chafer's approach is neither Keswick nor over-emphasized on there being "two-classes" of believers. Those who reduce his book to those issues miss out. His simple outline of how the Spirit ministers to us, how He manifests in the one who is yielded to him, and the three requirements for spirituality--grieve not, quench not, and walk by--pack in far more than one might need. I plan to revisit it. Highly recommended for meditation.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is only a 5-star book because I cannot give it 6! I love the relational, warm perspective on the Christian life that Chafer proposes. I find this text approachable and beneficial to any Christian seeking to grow in their faith and not waste a bunch of time. That being said, were I to write the book I would have recommended spending more time in John 15 and Romans 6-8. Though I wouldn't remove anything from this book. It is a treasure and I habe read it dozens of times.

[Johann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Through Simple Faith

For believers, Faith in Jesus is the only Righteousness we have.

Romans 4:5 To him that worketh not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly his Faith is counted as Righteousness.

[scott d. smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and practical

Quick enjoyable read that gives some real practical ways we can live a life of true spirituality, free from guilt, and rejoicing in truth

[Annette Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly took in this book. Life changing in helping understand theology of the Holy Spirit!

[Denise Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book required for a class. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style it was very hard to follow

[Jack]

I will definitely read this book again, more slowly and taking copious notes. I found it to be a deep study.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a Bible study. Very interesting. A challenging theological book. Recommended.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always the consummate systematic theologian, LS Chafer (past President of Dallas Theological Seminary) unfolds the biblical teaching on living a spiritual life. Taken from I Cor.2:9-3:4, Chafer begins by defining three classes of spiritual existence and spends the rest of the book unpacking the biblical teaching of life as a spiritual person. The impact of this book historically goes beyond its many printings and readers. It also indirectly started the founder of a world wide youth reaching movement (Jim Rayburn) who after reading it began a quest to live this life. He found a copy of the book on the shelf of a remote cabin in Arizona and after reading it, found the author and enrolled in Dallas Seminary.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is classic information on what it means to be spiritual. (A spiritual person is one who experiences the divine purpose and plan in his daily life through the power of the indwelling spirit.) Chafer reviews the types of men and various ministries of the Spirit. Chafer notes that there is an abrupt change from carnal to spiritual when Biblical conditions are met. Likewise, there is an abrupt loss of spiritual blessing whenever there has been a yielding to sin. One of the most helpful bits of information was the conditions of true spirituality.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, a great little book on the spiritual man as opposed to the "natural man" and the "carnal christian". This book doesn't seem to be as much a treatment on how to become spiritual, but a portrait of what a spiritual man looks like. I'm just now getting into his run-down of the Holy Spirit and the works of the spirit, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Kevin Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous work on the Spiritual part of the Christian life, which is glossed over by so many in Christianity. Chafer goes into great depths, yet remains simple enough for almost anyone to read and understand. This book is essential for a preacher's library, or for anyone serious about serving Christ.

[Larry]

My friend, Andy Kline recommended this book so I wanted to read it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of what it means to be spirit lead, not grieving or quenching the Spirit, but walking in Him.

[Brent Dore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to read this one again sometime...I don't think that I did it justice the first time.

[Danny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's got some great nuggets of wisdom. Every once in a while, Chafer makes an absurd point out of nowhere and gives a poor reason for it. However, overall, worth a read.

[Sealove · Rating 5 out of 5]

The finest book on the subject… There is simply no other to compare.

If you are truly seeking answers in this arena, this is the clearest path to finding all you seek.

[Corey Keast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem of a book from Lewis Sperry Chafer. He never diappoints.

[Tom D · Rating 2 out of 5]

He denies Lordship salvation by claiming that so-called “carnal Christians” can be saved with zero outward evidence. This is not Biblical.