CHAPTER 1 — MAN’S HIGH PROSPECT AND DESTINY
An all-important distinction — The generally accepted position — The
position as in the Word of God, a comparison — unique in Creation.
CHAPTER 2 — MAN NOW ANOTHER SPECIES THAN GOD CREATED
Man as created and constituted — The function of the human spirit —
The nature of Adam’s temptation — Adam’s probation — The
creation formula (Gen 2:7).
CHAPTER 3 — WHERE PSYCHOLOGY FAILS
What is it that is born again? — What is the place of the
soul?
CHAPTER 4 — THE NATURE OF SANCTIFICATION
The problem of Romans 7, and I John 1:8,9,10; 3:4,6,8,9 — The place in
experience of Romans 7: Is it the experience of the regenerate or unregenerate?
— The effect of spiritual awakening — The place of Romans 6 —
Two possible evils in the Christian life: Romans 7, or Antinomianism —
Two doctrines of sanctification based on Scripture: 1. Objective faith and progressiveness;
2. Eradication and perfection — The help of clearer translation of the
text of Scripture — Sanctification is regeneration carried on — The
real key is the distinction between soul and spirit — Phases of spiritual
life — Spiritual education and sanctification go together — Sonship
— Deliverance.
CHAPTER 5 — WHERE CHRISTENDOM IS DECEIVED
The attributes of the human spirit — God’s special
concern — The walk in the Spirit, the walk of faith.
CHAPTER 6 — THE SOUL AND DECEPTION
Man by nature now a deceived creature — The organ of deception — Methods
of deception — The peril of soulishness — A Divine safeguard against
deception — Psychical movements in the name of Christ — The infallible
test — Spiritual understanding.
CHAPTER 7 — WORLD DOMINATION OR DOMINION?
The phenomenon of dictators — The eternal background — The historic
course — Man, Satan’s medium — Antichrist; four things about
him — Behold the Man — The peril of man in Divine things —
The One New Man, the measure of Christ.
CHAPTER 8 — THE CROSS AND THE NEW
Diagram: The history of man from God’s standpoint and his own.
CHAPTER 9 — THE RESURRECTION OR SPIRITUAL BODY
The believer’s life spiritual in origin, sustenance and
consummation — The psycho-physical body and the spiritual
body — Satan hates resurrection.
CHAPTER 10 — THE SOUL, THE SPIRIT AND THE EVIL SPIRITUAL
POWERS
Physical disorders and spiritual suffering — Demon domination
and demon possession — The key to spiritism — The deepest
reality of the child of God — Spiritual service or warfare.
CHAPTER 11 — “THE SPIRIT HIMSELF”
The supreme importance of the Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit’s
supreme object in this dispensation.
PREFACE
TO MY READERS I would say that, although the main subject of the tripartite nature of man is such a controversial one, this book is not entered as a part of the controversy. Such a course would only be to contradict its main contention — that Divine things can only be entered into by revelation and never by reason. Indeed, I have no wish that anyone should read this book unless they are really exercised about reality and spiritual things. I would ask for openness of heart as the one concession to the Spirit of truth if, peradventure, He might be ready to use what is written here for enlightenment.
No claim is made to any expert knowledge. The contents represent more the result of observation and experience amongst Christian people over a wide area during a good number of years, than of study of the subject itself.
The book goes out with a prayer which comes from long ago, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened” (Eph 1:17).
T. A-S.
Bible references in this book are taken normally from the American Standard Version, but in some instances from the English Authorized or Revised Versions.
Theodore Austin-Sparks was born in London in 1888. After studying in England and Scotland he served for a time as a Baptist pastor. A personal crisis led him to a deeper spiritual experience, and resulted in a new and wider ministry. He wrote and published many books, as well as a bi-monthly magazine “A Witness and a Testimony” from 1923 until his death in 1971. A number of his books are available for purchase at places such as such as amazon and Pilkinton & Sons. Collections of his books are available online at Austin-Sparks Online Library. A number of his messages were recorded, and are available in mp3 form at Christians Unite.
