The Bookends of the Christian Life (Bridges & Bevington)

Description

The authors use an extended metaphor to serve up a little book with a big message about two essentials of the Christian life. What do bookends have to do with the Christian life? They are a metaphor that Jerry Bridges has developed over the years, and which he and coauthor Bob Bevington flesh out in this small volume. The two “bookends” explain not only how we as sinners can be made acceptable to a holy God but also we can find the power to change. They are thus essential for the Christian life. In a unique book that should garner the attention of a wide range of readers, the authors use their extended metaphor to help readers answer questions like:

* How can I overcome persistent guilt?

* How can I deal with the pressure to measure up?

* Where can I find the motivation it takes to grow?

* How can I live the Christian life with both my head and my heart?

* How can I be sure God loves me?

* How can I change in an authentic and lasting way?

So what are the bookends of the Christian life? Christ’s righteousness as it is transferred to dependent believers, and the Holy Spirit’s power as it enables their transformation. In continuing their goal to re-center the church at large onto the historic gospel of Jesus Christ, Bridges and Bevington have served up this little book with a big message so that believers and seekers alike can understand these two keys to a genuine Christian life.

Contents

Part One – The First Bookend: The Righteousness of Christ

1. The Righteousness of Christ

2. The Motivation of the Gospel

3. Gospel Enemy #1: Self-righteousness

4. Gospel Enemy #2: Persistent Guilt

5. Leaning on the First Bookend

Part Two – The Second Bookend: The Power of the Holy Spirit

6. The Power of the Holy Spirit

7. Dependent Responsibility

8. The Help of the Divine Encourager

9. Gospel Enemy #3: Self-reliance

10. Leaning on the Second Bookend

Conclusion: The Bookends Personal Worldview 

Endorsements 

"Forgiveness of sin and power to change -- I can think of no more essential topics for a Christian to study than these twin blessings of the gospel. And I can think of no one better to write on these topics "than Jerry Bridges. Jerry has provided for me over the years a constant diet of gospel-saturated writing, and here is a fresh feast. I trust you will enjoy it as much as I have." - C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries

"Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington look at the Christian life through a wide-angle lens, examining the framework that supports, stabilizes and secures the believer's life in Christ. They teach elements of a dis- tinctly biblical worldview, leaning upon the righteousness of Christ on one hand and upon the power of the Holy Spirit on the other. A wise and powerful book, one I heartily recommend." - Tim Challies, author, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

About the Author 

Jerry Bridges (1929-2016) was a well-known Christian writer and conference speaker. His best-known book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold well over a million copies. A prolific author, he has sold over 3.5 million copies of his various books, with several titles translated and published in a variety of foreign languages. He joined the staff of The Navigators in 1955, serving 60 years as a staff member in various capacities before transitioning to associate staff and serving within the collegiate ministry.

Bob Bevington (OD, Ohio State University) served as an optometrist for two decades while simultaneously cofounding several entrepreneurial start-up companies, including a LASIK provider with eighteen locations.