The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship (Holmes)

Deep, honest, pure, transparent, liberating…and attainable. The core of biblical friendship, what sets it apart from all the world can offer, is that it flows from Jesus Christ. Biblical friendship—desperately needed in the Church today—finds its origin, purpose, and power in Jesus. When shaped by this life-changing truth, everyday friendship can be transformed into something of a different order: biblical friendship.

Table of Contents:

1. What is Biblical Friendship?: The Definition and the Goal
2. Everyday Substitutes: The Limits of Common Grace
3. The Marks of Biblical Friendship: Constancy, Candor, Carefulness, and Counsel
4. The Forging of Biblical Friendship: Making the Most of Your Time
5. Threats to Biblical Friendship: Forewarned Is Forearmed
6. The Purpose of Biblical Friendship: Cultivating and Displaying Unity

Author

Jonathan Holmes serves at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio as the Pastor of Counseling. He graduated with degrees in Biblical Counseling and History from The Master’s College and a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Jonathan and his wife, Jennifer, are parents of three beautiful daughters, Ava, Riley, and Ruby. Jonathan also serves on the Council Board of the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

Endorsements

“Jonathan Holmes has the enviable ability to say a great deal in a few words. Here is a wonderful primer on the nature of Biblical friendship—what it means and why it matters.” - Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor, Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio

“In The Company We Keep, Jonathan Holmes has made a significant contribution to the Kingdom. We expect far too little from our friendships, and Jonathan’s work not only encourages us to expect more, it also equips us to give more. His four marks of biblical friendship—constancy, candor, carefulness, and counsel—provide a robust and relevant GPS for intentional and vulnerable gospel-centered friendships. The “Dig Deeper” sections embedded in each chapter make this a great book not only for individuals, but also for small groups.” - Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., Executive Director, Biblical Counseling Coalition

“I talk with many Christians who have intensely practical questions about how to make and maintain friendships with their fellow believers. Jonathan Holmes' book is filled with answers that are equally down-to-earth, nitty-gritty, and specific. This is a book that isn’t just a roadmap for cultivating Christian friendship. It’s also a tour guide, taking us where we need to go with warmth and wisdom. Wesley Hill, assistant professor of biblical studies, Trinity School for Ministry

“So often, books on biblical fellowship place our relationships in a “spiritual” realm where none of them really exist. Thankfully, Jonathan has succeeded in giving us a picture of how normal, daily, biblical friendships can be used by God to mold us into the likeness of Christ. He successfully steers clear of over-spiritualizing what friendship between brothers and sisters in Christ should look like. It is rich in its application of Scripture and practical in the way it connects all of our relationships to Christ. If you want a solid, fresh way of re-thinking all of your relationships, read this book.” -  Dr. Tim S. Lane, President, Institute for Pastoral Care, Conference speaker and co-author of Relationships: A Mess Worth Making and How People Change

“The Company We Keep casts a vision for the kind of friendships we all really want—to love and be loved as Christ loves us. Jonathan provides practical guidance that is both biblical and inspiring. I’ll be recommending this book to friends and counselees.” -  Winston T. Smith, faculty and counselor, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation