The Foundation of Joy

The Puritans have been depicted as killjoys whose teachings on assurance of salvation and self-examination bred anxiety and despair. But is that really the case? In The Foundation of Joy, Jeff Strickland investigates the link between John Flavel’s understanding of assurance and his pursuit of joy. After explaining Flavel’s approach to assurance and how it actually provides a foundation for joy, Strickland demonstrates how Flavel expresses these in the key areas of looking to Christ, discerning the Spirit, obeying the law, keeping the heart, and carrying the cross. Joy is the hallmark of Flavel’s spirituality, a fine example of what it means to cultivate a cheerfulness of heart founded on a sense of one’s interest in Christ.

Endorsements

“The Puritans often remarked that saving faith may bring the soul to heaven, but assurance brings heaven to the soul. In this masterful treatment of the spirituality of John Flavel—one of my favorite Puritans and yet one of the most overlooked—Jeff Strickland shows how believers’ joy often increases in proportion to the depth of their assurance. As Flavel shows, growing in such Spirit-worked assurance glorifies God and produces heavenly joy, deep peace, and evangelical zeal. This book is an edifying read on a much-neglected Puritan.”
—Joel R. Beeke, chancellor and professor of systematic theology and homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“In one way or another, almost every Christian in every generation wonders, How can I be sure I’m a Christian? Every faithful pastor will help his people address this question biblically. More than 350 years ago, Puritan John Flavel did so in masterful ways on many occasions for his flock in England. In The Foundation of Joy, contemporary pastor Jeff Strickland has gathered the riches of Flavel’s work and presents them for the joy and edification of God’s people today.”
—Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality and John H. Powell professor of pastoral ministry, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri

“The English Puritan John Flavel was convinced that there is no greater joy than knowing peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In the present volume, Dr. Jeff Strickland demonstrates how this conviction informed and shaped Flavel’s vision of the Christian life. Here is a first-rate historical study of an important pastoral motif that will prove beneficial to all.”
—Stephen Yuille, professor of church history and spiritual formation, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

Contents

Preface

1. Introduction
2. Flavel’s Theology of Assurance
3. Flavel’s Joy in Assurance
4. Joy in Looking to Christ
5. Joy in Discerning the Spirit
6. Joy in Obeying the Lord
7. Joy in Keeping the Heart
8. Joy in Carrying the Cross
9. Conclusion

Bibliography