No Quick Fix: Where "Higher Life Theology" Came from, What It Is, and Why It's Harmful

No Quick Fix

Author: Andrew D. Naselli

Recommendation by Pastor MacArthur:

"I was not raised on Reformed theology; far from it. I was raised under the influence of higher life theology without the title. Until I reached seminary, an uncritical acceptance of the various forms of this deceptive and frustrating credo was what I thought of as Christianity. Every Sunday, the post-sermon invitation the preacher gave included a call to dedication, rededication, consecration, or surrender. The assumption was clearly that there were two kinds of Christians: lower-level believers and those who had decided to give themselves more fully to the Lord... My beloved Dad, a faithful pastor and preacher, had filled the shelves  of his study library with all  the higher-plane, deeper-life, Keswick devotional authors (whom Naselli identifies in this book)... The higher life, deeper life, 'let go and let God' Keswick doctrine in all its forms drains the truth from the biblical doctrines of regeneration and sanctification." —John MacArthur (taken from the Afterward in this book)

Description:

Every Christian struggles with sin and wants to be victorious in the fight.

Higher life theology—also known as Keswick theology—offers a quick fix for this struggle. It teaches that there are two categories of Christians: those who are merely saved and those who have really surrendered to Christ—or those who have Jesus as their Savior alone and those who have him as their Master as well. If Christians can simply “let go and let God” they can be free of struggling with sin and brought to that higher level of spiritual life. What could be wrong with that?

A lot, it turns out. In No Quick Fix, a shorter and more accessible version of his book Let Go and Let God?, Andy Naselli critiques higher life theology from a biblical perspective. He shows that it leads not to freedom, but to frustration, because it promises something it has no power to deliver. Along the way, he tells the story of where higher life theology came from, describes its characteristics, and compares it to what the Bible really says about how we overcome sin and become more like Christ.

–––––––––– Table of Contents ––––––––––

PART 1: Where Higher Life Theology Came From and What It Is

1. What is the Story of Higher Life Theology?
2. What Is Higher Life Theology?

PART 2: Why Higher Life Theology Is Harmful

3. The Fundamental Reason Higher Life Theology Is Harmful
4. Nine More Reasons Higher Life Theology Is Harmful

Conclusion