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The Normal Christian Life

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The Normal Christian Life
File:Normal Christian Life Tyndale.jpg
The Normal Christian Life published by Tyndale Publishing House
AuthorWatchman Nee
LanguageEnglish
SubjectChristian Life
GenreChristianity
PublisherGospel Literature Service
Publication placeIndia
Published in English
1957
ISBN978-0-87508-990-4
OCLC421376727

The Normal Christian Life, considered by many to be a spiritual classic of Christianity, is one of the best known books by Watchman Nee. It is based on talks given by Watchman Nee in English, in Denmark, during a trip to Europe in 1938-1939. This book was originally published in Bombay in 1957 by Angus Kinnear from notes of Nee's spoken messages. In The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee presents his views on what the normal Christian life should be and summarizes what "normal" is for a Christian with "I love no longer, but Christ lives his life in me" (Gal. 2:20). His classic work unfolds the path of "Christian Life" in the light of God's desire and presents the eternal purpose of God in simple terms.

Watchman Nee based his speaking on the first eight chapters of the New Testament book of Romans. Nee takes the first eight chapters of Romans as a "self-contained unit" and divides these chapters into two parts: Romans 1:1 to 5:11 as part one and Romans 5:12 to 8:39 as part two. In the first part of Romans "sins" is given prominent attention and deals with the question of the sins man has committed before God. However, the second section deals with "sin," that is the inward nature, or inward working principle, within man that causes man to commit sin. Thus there is a difference between the acts of a sinner, sins, and the inward nature of a sinner, sin. Nee reveals that God's dual remedy is the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Cross of Christ. The Blood "deals with what we have done, whereas the Cross deals with what we are. The Blood disposes of our sins, while the Cross strikes at the root of our capacity for sin" [1]. As Nee progressively moves along in his book, he first touches upon the Blood and then focuses upon the Cross for the remainder of the book.[1]

As of 2009, this book has sold over 1 million copies and is available in many languages.

Subject

The Normal Christian Life is a Romans-centered exposition of what Christian living should be. The key verse is Romans 6:6: "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves." Here in this book Nee brings an eternal perspective to the work of Christ (verses 7 to 11). The writings of Watchman Nee focus on God's grace, which all the believers possess, and the goal of God's work with man through His Son by His Spirit in this age.

Impact

The Normal Christian Life has had a tremendous effect on Christians throughout the world and even can be said to have "impacted our culture in the most extraordinary way." Nee is seen to continue to impact lives today through The Normal Christian Life and has an "impact not only for time but an impact forever." [2]

Contents

Preface

Preface to the English Edition

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: The Blood of Christ
  • Chapter 2: The Cross of Christ
  • Chapter 3: The Path of Progress: Knowing
  • Chapter 4: The Path of Progress: Reckoning
  • Chapter 5: The Divide of the Cross
  • Chapter 6: The Path of Progress: Presenting Ourselves to God
  • Chapter 7: The Eternal Purpose
  • Chapter 8: The Holy Spirit
  • Chapter 9: The Meaning and Value of Romans Seven
  • Chapter 10: The Path of Progress: Walking in the Spirit
  • Chapter 11: One Body in Christ
  • Chapter 12: The Cross and the Soul Life
  • Chapter 13: The Path of Progress: Bearing the Cross
  • Chapter 14: The Goal of the Gospel

Editions of The Normal Christian Life

There have been many editions of The Normal Christian Life throughout the years. The very first edition was published in 1957 by Gospel Literature Service in Bombay, India. Many editions were to follow[3]:

  • Paperback published June 28, 1979 by Christian Literature Crusade
  • Paperback published December 9, 1997 by Tyndale House Publishers
  • Hardcover published July 1, 2000 by Barbour Publishing
  • Audio cassette published August 1, 2001 by Living Stream Ministry
  • Audio CD published August 1, 2001 by Living Stream Ministry
  • Hardcover published February 1,2006 by Hendrickson Publishers
  • Audio CD published June 1, 2006 Hovel Audio
  • Paperback published May 29, 2008 by Wilder Publications
  • Paperback published Janurary 10, 2009 by CLC Ministries
  • ebook published November 4, 2010 by Watchman Books
  • ebook published October 28, 2010 by New Century Books
  • Kindle Edition published April 7, 2011 by New Century books
  • ebooks published April 8, 2011 by Century Books
  • Paperback published 2012 by Living Stream Ministry

References

  1. ^ Nee,Watchman. The Normal Christian Life. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 2012. Print.
  2. ^ Hanegraaff,Hank. www.equip.org. Christian Research Institute, April 27, 2012. Web. January 17, 2013
  3. ^ The Normal Christian Life. Goodreads Inc. n.d. n.p Web. 16 Jan. 2013
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