Elementary: Following Jesus Strong and Simple

by Ben Pasley

Jesus asks us to follow him. Many say that a journey begins with the first step, but it actually begins with a lean. We must shift our weight toward the direction we intend to go before we can even take the first step. This book encourages us to lean toward the simple steps of following Jesus outlined in Hebrews 6:1-3. These elementary steps are the key to a strong and simple journey with God.

This book is a journey toward the simplest of teachings from the first followers of Jesus. These great people had distilled the fundamentals of a strong and simple faith in God, and rehearsed them as elementary. With so many voices, trends, and directions reflected in modern Christianity, Ben Pasley returns to the most elementary teachings of the Christian faith to help us all clear our minds toward the simplicity of the Kingdom of God. Some might consider these simple teachings from Hebrews 6 baby steps, while others may be astounded at the depth of their implications for Christianity today.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Ben Pasley is a published author, song writer, music producer, performer, public speaker, creative coach, pastor, leadership equipper, and fly fisherman. He might be best known for the worship music series Enter The Worship Circle, which has sold hundreds of thousands of albums since its debut release in 1998. As an author he has focused on themes like: living in the Kingdom, receiving the spirit of sonship, and re-imagining the family of faith.

Reviews

[Cully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly illustrates three ways in which we can relate to God--as orphans, slaves, or sons. Mature insight into these relationships.

I would have loved if the book included more ways to pursue and cultivate sonship. I was constantly made aware of the ways I walk in each of these identities, and my desire to walk more as a son grew, but I just don't know how to pursue that identity.

[Steve Heston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to go deep

This book will force you beyond your comfort zone and excepting and embracing what it really means to be a Christian man. A men’s group of which I am a part of used this book as a foundation for a very compelling study.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third read: Man, I really appreciate this book. It stands up and I have loosened my tight grip on my views of the Holy Spirit - not that I agree with him completely, but it seems less important to care. :)
I am giving this to a friend so I decided to re-read it and it it made me realize I probably need to find my copy and do a deep re-read.

Second read: Still so good, in some ways even more so. I still disagree on his view of the Holy Spirit, but I needed to read this again.

I found that this book was a great complement to Tim Keller's "Prodigal God" - both discuss the parable in Luke 15 and the idea of receiving God's love in Christ - "Orphan Slave Son" has a more personal and practical feel. I felt as if the author here was taking all the theological knowledge I've learned about adoption, grace, and sonship and graciously pouring it from my head to my heart.
I really liked this book but probably wouldn't recommend it to every believer in my life. I was pleasantly surprised at how biblically compatible the book was; there were only a few parts at the end of the book that the average biblical Christian would disagree with [on the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit in particular]. Specifically I enjoyed how much the author emphasized the role of the church in the life of spiritual sons.
I didn't give it a 5 only because there seemed to be a lack of consistency throughout. The first two sections of the book are very general and broad [not in a bad way, just in a 30,000ft overview way] while the last section "Son" is very specific and detailed. It is all helpful, but the lack of consistency is a little jarring.
If your desire is for your theological knowledge to sink down deep into your heart, read this book.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel and even great idea, to get at the roots of the faith via Hebrews 6: 1-3. Pasley does that and it is helpful, but the book was not an even read. He says at the end that he took out the personal examples and left straight doctrine. I can handle that with ease, but here the paragraphs felt long and while some chapters sang, others were more mundane. The book is also heavily laden with Scripture, but block quotes do not interpret themselves. A bit more Hebrews context would have helped orient the book more completely.

[Jeff Pasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Elementary: Following Jesus Strong and Simple. The book is easy reading and flows quite well. I read about 2/3rds in the first sitting. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a better footing and foundation in their walk with Jesus. Christ kept his words relatively simple when he spoke to people. I love that Ben has written a book in similar fashion. Inspiring and beatiful. Great read.

[Gary Adolphe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need men in our lives to remind us to continue to build strong foundations of Christian living and to help us become masters of the Kingdom basics. Ben Pasley outlines important fundamentals and unpacks them in a way for us to easily grab ahold of so we can begin to live out of them. You'll probably end up reading this book regularly and sharing it with your friends.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really helpful to me. Had some great points and thoughts that changed my perspective a lot.. I would recommend. I gave it a 3 though because I really do not like his writing style at all. It was hard for me to get past that.