The Normal Christian Life

I first read the Normal Christian Life in 1982. At the time, it seemed like a good book. I was wrong... it is a fantastic book. I know of no other book which does as a complete a job of explaining how Romans 5-8 plays out in our lives. Anyone who reads and understands this book will find themselves freed to follow God wholly. Too often we try to please God through our own efforts... this never works. The start and finish of life is God's gracious love.

This book was astonishing! There is so much fresh wisdom here with teachings and insights to the Scriptures that I've never heard before. I am still digesting so much. I loved the way the author could communicate complex ideas so simply. He was not concerned with intricate or impressive prose but rather reaching those who are struggling with the basic Christian walk.

Having grown up a Christian, I have been exposed to much imperfect doctrine. Some errors are so ingrained, I no longer recognize them. This book helped me grasp and hopefully correct multiple incorrect assumptions. It was like a breath of fresh air to read and I sometimes felt that spiritual burdens were evaporating.

I will definitely come back to this one again and again.

A wonderful exploration of the first half of Romans. This book is truly changing my life and causing me to draw nearer to God. It is strikingly original, and yet remains true to Scripture.

Toward the end, Nee does go into his trademark spirit / soul / body criticism, which still seems a bit of a stretch to me. Not that I don't think it's a neat idea and an interesting way to look at our lives, but Nee is so obsessed with also making it doctrine that I can't follow him completely. People have tried over and over again to prove this to me in Scripture, and it still seems quite a logical leap, especially when there are verses that completely refute it (like Matthew 16:26).

Let me say that I think Nee is right here, but he is using a show more terminology that is really poorly chosen, and sometimes he tries to force that terminology into Scripture.

This section is really only a small part of the end, and it is my only criticm of the work. Even with that part, I wholeheartedly recommend this to all Christians. show less

A masterful work that provides many excellent insights into the Christian life through the teachings of the Roman letter. While he makes many good points, I fear that his need to justify a Protestant viewpoint has caused his interpretation to be colored in ways that the text cannot support. Nevertheless, much good can be gained from his illustrations and descriptions.

Excellent book focusing mainly on the book of Romans. As the author says, in China, evangelists have to ensure new converts are deeply rooted because the evangelists cannot count on another teacher to come by in the future. This book would be an excellent companion to doing a study on Romans. The book focuses on the relationship of the Christian to God and Christ.

Watchman Nee in this classic of his maps out what Christ has done for us, how we are to respond and how we are to progress in the Christian walk. He has studied the relevant passages in Romans thoroughly, adds illustrations from his experience as a Chinese pastor and gives a cogent interpretation. A powerful book from a man who was martyred by the Communists rather than deny his Lord.

A wonderfully lucid explanation of living the Christian life, in very practical terms.