Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life by Paul David Tripp brings theology and doctrine to your everyday Christian life. Many Christians wrongly believe there is a disconnect between biblical knowledge and heartfelt faith. This book isn’t a full Systematic Theology book but chooses to focus on twelve of the bible’s core doctrines and how to practically live these truths out in your life. If Christians lived out these truths, the world would be transformed. Tripp writes is such a way that both your mind and heart are stirred towards God. His goal is “that thinking of biblical truth as a lifestyle will become more and more natural as you read.”
“Without ever intending to, many of us live theologically contradictory lives. We say we believe that God is both sovereign and good, but when trouble comes, we panic as if no one is in control or we allow ourselves to question God’s goodness and love.”
“There is nothing more important, more central, more heart engaging, and more formative than my belief in and my relationship with my Savior and Lord. It is not only the center of my worldview, but he is the source of all of my hope in this life and in the life to come. If you would watch my video [the video of his life], you would see how my belief in and relationship with God motivates and directs me every day. I love him with all my heart, and everything I do is shaped by the worship of him . . . but not always. That ‘but not always’ depicts a category that, somehow, someway, as long as sin still lives inside of us, every true believer fits into. It is the category of practical atheism.”
In addition to this disconnect between the mind and heart, Tripp points out a Gospel gap that exists in many Christians life. They know God’s truth but fail to apply it to their lives. We are thinking beings, what we do flows from our beliefs. “Truth not lived is truth not believed.” All Christians have some areas where the way they live is at odds with what they profess to be true. Tripp refers to this gap in our theology as a “workroom for the enemy.”
“The enemy of your soul will gladly give you your formal theology, if in your real daily life he can control the thoughts and motives of your heart and, in so doing, control the way you act, react, and respond.”
We must know Scripture in order to live out Scripture. To do this requires knowing doctrine, which Tripp succinctly defines as “a helpful shorthand for the grand redemptive story.” Doctrine is not merely informational, but is meant to be transformational. Many Christians minds shut down when they hear words like theology, doctrine and orthodoxy. Tripp skillfully writes in a way that all Christians may understand while having their affections stirred for righteous living. He avoids overly complex terms or minor theological debates on obscure passages. Instead, he focuses on doctrine that all Christians need to live out each day.
“The Bible is not so much a religious book, left to be relegated to the hallowed and separate corridors of institutional religion. No, the Bible is a life book given for life purposes, so that the creatures to whom it is given would look for life in the only place where life can be found. The doctrines of the Bible are not so much ideology as they are living and divine tools of salvation, transformation, identity, and guidance.”
Paul David Tripp (DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a pastor, award-winning author, and international conference speaker. He has written some of my favorite books including, How People Change, Instruments in the Redeemers Hands, New Morning Mercies, Marriage, Parenting. His books have profoundly changed my life and ministry.
“The Bible doesn’t give you every note you will ever have to play throughout your life, but it does give you everything you need in order to play in every area of your life in harmony with your Savior, and the fact that it does is a wonderful gift of divine grace.”
I love this book and the premise of it. I think that all Christians need to read this, from the recently saved to the well-read theologian. this book rightly closes those gaps between our knowledge and our practical theology. Christians need to understand how to live out the Gospel in the everyday struggles of life. The book is written is a simplistic but profound way that is approachable for anyone. When I look back at the book, I notice that most of the book is highlighted. I would read a sentence and would be struck by its insight and then the next sentence cuts to the heart.
“This [God’s Sovereignty] means that God never has questions, never is surprised, never is frustrated, never wonders, never is greeted with mystery, never wishes he could have, never looks back with regret, never is hoping, never is waiting, never feels helpless, has nothing he can’t figure out, and never finds himself at a loss.”
 |
Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life By Paul David Tripp |
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I express are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.