Acts 4 v 11 & 12
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This months memory verse is a wonderful reminder of our way of salvation - only through Jesus.
Natalie Brand is an amazing tutor on the Flourish course, who engages us with her love for God and her enthusiasm for the doctrine she teaches. I was excited to learn that she also has written some books, this one being part of a series called 'The Good Portion' a series written specifically for women to immerse themselves in the depths of Christian doctrine'. She is a very busy woman and she generously agreed to answer some questions about her book which can be purchased from 10 of Those. Please find the link below. I'm very grateful to Natalie for finding time to answer these questions. I hope these answers will inspire you to get hold of the book and dig deeper into doctrine.
I would love to do a book club on this one, let me know if you're interested.
The Good Portion - The Doctrine of Salvation for Every Woman
Natalie Brand
1) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a married to Tom, who is a pastor of sorts, and I have three daughters. I work for Union School of Theology as Tutor of Women and lecture in Historical and Systematic Theology. I love coffee, gardening, and bedtime.
2) When you teach you are clearly enthused by your teaching and that enthusiasm is evident in your writing. What is theology? When did you discover your love of theology?
Doctrine is pure, unadulterated truth about God and the saving of His Bride, the Church. Whereas theology is humankind’s pursuit of God-truth. It is the privileged quest of sinners saved by grace – which we sometimes get wrong – as we seek to know more about the Infinite, Eternal and Unchanging Triune God.
Just as I was coming to faith, I found, in the back aisles of bookcases in Keith Jones Christian Bookshop in Bournemouth, thrills and joy - like C. S. Lewis writes about in Surprised by Joy - in picking up theology books. I began to see a whole world of answers was ripe for the reading if I would only take the time.
3) Which particular theology deepens your faith and why. What makes you sing?
Union with Christ – the fact that we are joined spiritually to Jesus makes me sing! The New Testament is full of teaching that we are ‘in Christ’. This means we are united to him and he to us, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is how he saves us, and it is the basis and ground of how we live.
4) Why do you think it’s important for women specifically to understand theology?
It makes me sad that many women aren’t interested in theology, and yet these truths are theirs; this God is their God, this salvation their salvation. If our ‘chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever’ we have to know him before we can enjoy him!
5) The thought of digging deeper into theology can feel daunting for us. How and why should we overcome the fear?
Our salvation is not high concepts and long unpronounceable words. Our salvation is a person – Jesus Christ. This really helps us feel less daunted!
6) Does writing energise you or exhaust you spiritually?
It only energises me. I love the excuse to be in the Word of God . . . chewing it over and over in my mind. I write first for myself – to do my soul good. If others are going to be blessed too it’s a bonus!
7) Your book Salvation is part of a series for women. How and why did this come about?
I had just published a book called Prone to Wander: Grace for the Lukewarm and Apathetic with Christian Focus Publications and they asked me if I wanted to be involved in a doctrine series for women written by women. I’m in!! Mine is the third book in this exciting and growing series.
8) You are tackling a massive topic what do you want us to take away from this book?
Salvation in Christ is a lavish and generous feast that is all sufficient for us! Past, present and future!
9) What are some of your favourite books?
I love Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, and Lewis’ Narnia world and Screwtape Letters. So, I’m a bit of a Lewis and Tolkien fan: fantasy meeting a Christian worldview. Theology wise John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied in a small book but a real treasure trove. I love John Calvin’s works and anything by Hermann Bavinck. John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life changed my life! I first read it twenty years ago and I feel it still shape my life today.
Please find below a link to a book review from Elinor McGowan
Please find below a link to purchase a copy.