Larger Christian Life
A Larger Christian Life emerged from A. B. Simpson's own spiritual journey and his pastoral concern for Christians who seemed content with what he regarded as a diminished version of the faith. Writing in 1890, Simpson addressed believers who had experienced conversion but remained spiritually stagnant, lacking the joy, power, and holiness he believed the New Testament promised. His background as a Presbyterian minister who had left denominational ministry to pursue a more Spirit-filled Christianity informed this work, which grew out of his teaching and preaching in New York City's emerging Holiness movement.
Simpson's central argument revolves around the distinction between ordinary Christian experience and what he terms the "larger life" available to every believer. He contends that most Christians live below their spiritual privileges, settling for forgiveness of sins while missing the abundant life Christ promised. The book's core moves include an exposition of entire sanctification as a second definitive work of grace, the necessity of complete surrender and consecration to God, and the role of faith in appropriating divine power for holy living. Simpson emphasizes that this larger life is not earned through effort but received through faith, much like initial salvation. He addresses common objections and obstacles to this experience, particularly the fear of complete surrender and misunderstandings about human effort versus divine grace. Throughout, he weaves together biblical exposition with practical instruction, showing how believers can move from spiritual mediocrity to the fullness of Christian experience.
The work has remained influential within Holiness and Pentecostal traditions, partly because Simpson founded what would become the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, ensuring the book's continued circulation. Its emphasis on the "deeper life" helped shape American evangelical spirituality in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, contributing to movements that sought spiritual renewal beyond mere church membership. The book's practical tone and systematic approach to sanctification have made it a staple in circles that emphasize the baptism of the Holy Spirit and entire sanctification.
Who should read this: Christians familiar with Holiness theology who seek a systematic presentation of the deeper life message, and those interested in understanding the theological foundations of the Christian and Missionary Alliance tradition. This work is not suitable for readers uncomfortable with claims about definitive post-conversion spiritual experiences or those seeking more contemporary approaches to spiritual formation.