I recently did a bit of research and thinking about 'The Armour of God' for a friend. In addition to consulting various commentaries and articles, as well as grappling and praying through the text, I came across an absolute gem of a book. The Armour of God - as found at the end of Ephesians 6 - is a wonderful set of pictures of the elements that make up the Christian life. Its a profound passage, rich and nourishing, and arguably lays the groundwork for more controversial elements of the Christian narrative - such as that of Spiritual Warfare. It is into this blend of exegesis and themes that I recommend a book, that I haven't yet finished (and so can't review!) and may never will!. William Gurnall wrote a superb book: "The Christian in Complete Armour".
Gurnall was an English clergyman, who lived in Norfolk between 1617 and 1679. About the only thing that remains as his literary legacy is the book pictured here, "The Christian in Complete Armour". My copy, in one volume, has over 1200 pages. This is a serious classic, a serious exposition of the passage, and a huge treatise on Spiritual Warfare. In many ways, it puts modern teachers and preachers to shame.
I've not finished reading it yet - largely because (As the picture below shows!) it is larger than Calvin's Institutes, and has tiny texts!
I'd recommend it - thus far - to anyone contemplating a comprehensive study of Spiritual Warfare, or who is tired of the often over-colourful and under-scriptural opinions of some modern teaching and writing on the subject. This book is a fantastic example of solid, total exposition, in the context of pastoral ministry and a passion for the Gospel. In Gurnall's own words, the Gospel is;
Gurnall's thoughts are drenched in scripture, which explains his view of the bible, as being;
Amen.
Gurnall was an English clergyman, who lived in Norfolk between 1617 and 1679. About the only thing that remains as his literary legacy is the book pictured here, "The Christian in Complete Armour". My copy, in one volume, has over 1200 pages. This is a serious classic, a serious exposition of the passage, and a huge treatise on Spiritual Warfare. In many ways, it puts modern teachers and preachers to shame.
I've not finished reading it yet - largely because (As the picture below shows!) it is larger than Calvin's Institutes, and has tiny texts!
I'd recommend it - thus far - to anyone contemplating a comprehensive study of Spiritual Warfare, or who is tired of the often over-colourful and under-scriptural opinions of some modern teaching and writing on the subject. This book is a fantastic example of solid, total exposition, in the context of pastoral ministry and a passion for the Gospel. In Gurnall's own words, the Gospel is;
"the revelation of Christ, and the grace of God through him, is without compare the best news and the joyfullest tidings, that poor sinners can here"
"of general and constant use among soldiers, and also that weapon with which they not only defend themselves, but do the greatest execution on their enemies"
Banner of Truth have also done a 3 volume abridgement, which makes it a bit easier to get through - each volume is a manageable size, although my memory is that I found vol. 1 to be the most useful.
ReplyDeleteMark, thanks for the comment! This is worth knowing.
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