The Saving Life of Christ and the Mystery of Godliness

This book has probably had more valuable influence in my life than any other, apart from the Bible itself. I've read it many times. Early in my adult life, I read this book and it revolutionized my thinking. I would recommend anything Major Thomas had written and also his excellent dvd: "Rediscovering Christ".

The word "theurgy" is derived from the Greek and literally means divine work. The word is often associated with mysticism and occult magic along with the word "thaumaturgy" which means wonder working and usually given a naturalistic basis. However, there's a legitimate and Christian, biblical understanding of theurgy as God's supernatural working in and through individuals which may sometimes result in wonder working (miracles). I also believe that W. Ian Thomas' two books, The Saving Life of Christ and The Mystery of Godliness, provide the Christian foundations for that understanding. Although Thomas does not use either of the two terms, he certainly teaches the concepts, laying the groundwork for more in-depth study and exposition. Within The Saving Life of Christ, he studies Old Testament passages in light of New Testament revelation and focuses on God as the power source of one's salvation not only in the future but here and now on earth through the Christian principle of an exchanged life: "...not I, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). To be in Christ is redemption that makes one fit for heaven, but for Christ to be in you is sanctification that makes one fit for earth. One becomes an empowered conduit through which God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Those who think of God in spacial terms and their relationship with God in terms of self-willed obedience are missing out on the profound biblical truths that Thomas enthusiastically conveys. Because of sin in the first Adam, you are dead but because of righteousness in the last Adam (Christ) and his atonement and resurrection on your behalf, your life is hid with Christ in God. Therefore, be transformed by renewing your mind from a limited, fearful self-consciousness in Adam to a limitless, faithful God-consciousness in Christ and realize that true obedience (that is, true love) is by God's grace, not self-will. In other words, as one lives in the reality of God's grace through faith, God's will (love) is fulfilled through you because you are dead to self but alive to God through the Holy Spirit of Christ. God's love now motivates you. Just as Jesus said that he can do NOTHING of himself without his Father, so also his disciples can do NOTHING of themselves without Christ. And "nothing" is not a little bit of something! Thomas asks, "Are you `man-conscious' or `God-conscious'?" and shows why the latter overcomes all obstacles. He also explains what it means in Hebrews that Christ was "made perfect" through suffering and how we too have a God-given vocation to fulfill. In The Mystery of Godliness, Thomas takes us to higher, deeper levels. I consider his two chapters, "How to Do the Impossible" and "I Am - Thou Art!" to be pure gold. One is given the profound truth revealed by Jesus that just as with God all things are possible, so also are all things possible to the one who believes, who "reckons with Christ". Because of this truth, one is called to sob

I just finished reading "The Saving Life of Christ." If you are hankering to experience the fulness of what Jesus Christ has for you this book is for you. Also if you always wondered why God told about the Israelites wilderness wanderings in such detail this book is for you. The theme of the book is the Israelites journey through the wilderness on their way to the promised land of Canaan and the part that various people such as the Amalekites, Moses and Joshua played in that journey. Do you realize that while Moses was able to get the Israelites out of Eygpt he was never able to get them into Canaan? What caused them to have to wonder in the dessert for 38 years and never see Canaan (Moses included)? According to the author, Moses was the man who tried and he gave them (the Israelites) the law without the land! Joshua was the man who trusted and he gave them the land in which to practice the law! Canaan according to Thomas always signifies the fullness of the Holy Spirit that our precious Jesus wants every believer to experience in their lives. This goldmine of deep spiritual truth is well written (understandable)!

This volume is really two books in one. The main theme of THE SAVING LIFE OF CHRIST is that Christ can live through us. After we commit to Christ we receive the Holy Spirit and are reborn. Christ will then live in us if we offer Him child-like acceptance.In THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS Thomas emphasizes the need to depend on Jesus Christ in every situation. In fact, Christ is all we need. If we walk in the spirit with the indwelling Christ, God will reproduce His character in us. That is Godliness which means simply God likeness.Ian Thomas writes with clarity. This book is filled with original thoughts and is sure to be an unforgettable reading experience for many Christians.