User:Theophilus144/sandbox

The Normal Christian Life is a book by Watchman Nee first delivered as a series of addresses to Christian workers who were gathered in Denmark for special meetings in 1938 and 1939. The talks were later compiled into a book by Angus Kinnear and were first published in 1957 in Bombay, India. In The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee presents foundational principles for the Christian life and walk drawing primarily from the book of Romans. The book is generally regarded by many as the first introduction of Watchman Nee to the Western world. As of 2009, this book has sold over 1 million copies and is available in many editions and languages.

Content Summary
The title of the book is taken from a question Watchman Nee asked at the beginning of his talk, "What is the normal Christian life? We do well at the outset to ponder this question.” According to Nee many Christians do not live the normal Christian life because they have an insufficient view of Christ’s work on the cross and they do not fulfill the conditions necessary to live such a life. Nee states that Christ's work on the cross is fourfold. He also argues that four conditions must be fulfilled in the life of a man if he is to attain to God's standard of normal. Nee undertakes for the subject of his study the first eight chapters of the book of Romans.

Fourfold Work of Christ on the Cross
For Nee there are four aspects of the work of Christ on the cross. Nee understands that it is one Divine work but that the Bible describes this one Divine work in four aspects.

Using the book of Romans Nee opens the book by covering the first two aspects. He deals with sin and sins. The title of the chapters are the blood of christ and the cross of christ because for nee these are the two things that god uses to deal with mans problem of sins and sin. Nee gives a fien description between the two and then shows how in the life of man these are dealt with. From man's perspective he experiences first forgiveness of sins and the deliverance from sin. Both of these aspects correspond to what are soteriologically speaking called justification and sanctification.

It's important to note that Nee viewed the work of Christ on the cross to have a negative and positive aspect. Negatively God deals with mans sin, sins, the flesh, and the natural man. This is what he covers in the introduction. Positively, God life indwells man and makes this life manifest in him. Nee takes us these two positive aspects later in the book. Positively the cross accomplishes something positively. It releases the life of Christ. The divine eternal life of God is made available to indwell, re-create and empower man. The like operates in man to bring his naturally endowed faculties through death and resurrection that indwelling Life may be progressively manifest.

For Nee these four things encompass Christ's work on the cross.

The Path of Progress - Four Conditions to Fulfill
From the angle of the believer Nee tackles the four conditions that must be fulfilled if one is to live the Christian life. He argues that these steps are four. He again uses the book of romans to argue for them. This path according to Nee involves four steps: knowing, reckoning, presenting ourselves to God, and walking in the spirit. The are as follows.

In reality these steps may not work out as nicely as Nee parsed them. But for presentation sake Nee presents each one as a distinct experience. He admits this in chapter eight where he says,,

"Recognizing a number of such phases in the life and experience of a believer, we note now a further fact, namely that, though these phases do not necessarily occur always in a fixed and precise order, they seem to be marked by certain recurring steps or features. What are these steps? First there is revelation. As we have seen, this always precedes faith and experience. Through His Word God opens our eyes to the truth of some fact concerning His Son, and then only, as in Faith we accept that fact for ourselves, does it become actual as experience in our lives.

The Goal of the Gospel
The Normal Christian Life concludes with the goal of the gospel. For Nee, Mary's breaking of the alabaster flask in Mark 14:1-9 is representative of the believers ultimate sacrifice of faith. Viewed as a complete waste from a "worldly" and practical point of view this act from a spiritual perspective is a ministry to the Lord. Nee states that the primary aim of the gospel is not to satisfy sinners but to satisfy God. Contrary to a worldly estimation this issues in a real service to God.

Influence
The Normal Christian Life is one of Watchman Nee's most well known books. It is considered by many to be a spiritual classic of Christianity. It has been reprinted and reissued in many editions and in many languages. The book's enduring appeal is not only due to Nee's exposition of Romans but also to the many illustrations, personal accounts, and anecdotes that Nee uses to connect with the reader. The Normal Christian Life has impacted millions of Christians since Nee spoke it and is a major contributor to the house church movement today.[note] Watchman Nee was recognized by Congress in 2009 as having been one of the most influential Chinese Christians of his era.[note] In the Congressional record, The Normal Christian Life is highlighted as being among his most popular and influential books.

Editions of The Normal Christian Life
The book has been published in many editions. Important editions include:


 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University. Ed. Martin J. Svaglic. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1990. ISBN 0-268-01150-8.
 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University. Ed. Frank M. Turner New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-300-06405-5.
 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University: Defined and Illustrated. Washington D.C.: Gateway Editions, 1999. ISBN 0-895-26400-5.
 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University. Longmans, Green and Co., 1923.
 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University. Loyola Press, 1923. ISBN 0-829-40585-2.
 * Newman, John Henry. The Idea of a University. Dublin: UCD International Centre for Newman Studies, 2009. ISBN 1-901-65875-9.

There have been many editions of The Normal Christian Life throughout the years. The very first edition was published in 1957 by Gospel Literature Service in Bombay, India. Many editions were to follow:


 * Paperback published June 28, 1979 by Christian Literature Crusade
 * Paperback published December 9, 1997 by Tyndale House Publishers
 * Hardcover published July 1, 2000 by Barbour Publishing
 * Audio cassette published August 1, 2001 by Living Stream Ministry
 * Audio CD published August 1, 2001 by Living Stream Ministry
 * Paperback published October 1, 2005 by Kingsway Publications
 * Hardcover published February 1, 2006 by Hendrickson Publishers
 * Audio CD published June 1, 2006 Hovel Audio
 * Paperback published May 29, 2008 by Wilder Publications
 * Paperback published January 10, 2009 by CLC Publications
 * ebook published January 13, 2009 by CLC Publications
 * ebook published November 4, 2010 by Watchman Books
 * ebook published October 28, 2010 by New Century Books
 * Kindle Edition published April 7, 2011 by New Century books
 * ebooks published April 8, 2011 by Century Books
 * Paperback published 2012 by Living Stream Ministry