No Quick Fix - by Andrew David Naselli (Paperback)

About the Book

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. 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?, 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.

Book Synopsis

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. 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?, 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.

From the Back Cover

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. 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?, 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.

Review Quotes

"This book packs an extraordinary amount of useful summary, critical analysis, and pastoral reflection into short compass. The book will do the most good, however, if it encourages readers in a more faithful way to pursue that holiness without which we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)."

--D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; president and co-founder, The Gospel Coalition

"No Quick Fix is superb! Readers may not know Keswick theology by name, but many Christians in Britain and North America have been influenced by its teachings regardless. If you want to explore a truly biblical understanding of progressive sanctification while avoiding the pitfalls of some popular well-intended but misguided teachings, you'll benefit greatly from this book. I enthusiastically recommend Naselli's winsome, insightful, and instructive treatment and pray many will grow in their Christian lives as a result of giving careful attention to this book."

--Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, chairman of the Department of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Andy Naselli provides us with a thorough explanation of Keswick theology and uncovers its biblical and theological weaknesses. Naselli's work is judicious but kind. The Keswick movement has done much good, and we are allies and friends in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Still, iron sharpens iron, and Keswick theology has too often produced discouragement and despair with its exalted and finally unbiblical view of sanctification. Naselli's work helps us to see why Keswick doesn't measure up, and he provides a more satisfying and biblically faithful alternative."

--Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, professor of biblical theology, and associate dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Andy Naselli's No Quick Fix is an easy-to-read and sure-handed critique of "higher life" theology. Writing from personal experience and with scriptural clarity, he guides Christians out from error and into a biblically wholesome approach to Christian living. Highly recommended!"

--Richard D. Phillips, senior minister, Second Presbyterian Church (Greenville, SC); council member, The Gospel Coalition

"Andy's work on Keswick theology is first-rate. This is a model of scholarship serving the church. His analysis of Keswick's history and his tight theological work on sanctification are extremely valuable. I enjoyed this book. I learned from this book. I will be able to help my congregation as a result of reading this book."

--Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of University Reformed Church (East Lansing, MI)

"Every Christian struggles with sin. How to deal with it and how to overcome it serves as the central question for higher life teachers. But do they have the right answer? Andy Naselli's comprehensive analysis of higher life theology provides us with sufficient evidence that they do not. While the higher life quick fix to the sin problem would be nice, Andy give us ten reasons why this theology is so harmful. And the appendix provides an abundance of helpful resources to encourage believers in their Christian walk. If frustration, confusion, and irritation are words that describe your battle with sin, especially if you've been seeking an easy way to victory, then you need to read this book."

--Jon Pratt, vice president of academics and professor of New Testament, Central Baptist Theological Seminary; elder, Eden Baptist Church (Burnsville, MN)

"For years popular Christian teachers have been enticing us with the 'secret key' to the victorious, higher, deeper, more abundant Christian life. We've been told just to 'let go and let God.' If you've heard that teaching, you'll want to read this clear and accessible book. You'll learn not only where this well-intentioned teaching goes wrong, but you will discover afresh the well-worn old paths of biblical faithfulness and holiness. Andy Naselli is a careful scholar and a compassionate guide who longs to help and serve the church of Jesus Christ. I predict you will not be disappointed."

--Justin Taylor, executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher, Crossway

"I am so pleased to see this work in print. For years I have required my doctoral students to read the original academic version of this incredibly helpful work. Now it's finally available to everyone in a more accessible format. It is so clear, concise, well-organized, and understandable that anyone interested in an evaluation of the "higher life" movement-educators, students, pastors, or laymen-can profit from Andy's research. No one who wants to know more about this influential movement can afford to be without this valuable resource."

--Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean of the School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author

Andrew David Naselli (PhD, Bob Jones University; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is associate professor of New Testament and theology at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis and an elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He is the administrator for Themelios and has authored and contributed to numerous books and articles including Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ with J. D. Crowley.