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Spiritual Growth
Arthur Walkington Pink was an English Christian evangelist and biblical scholar who was known for his staunchly Calvinist and Puritan-like teachings in an era dominated by opposing theological traditions. Pink was one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century. 'The name which is usually given to our subject by Christian writers is that of "Growth in Grace" which is a scriptural expression, being found 2 Peter 3:18. But it appears to us that, strictly speaking, growing in grace has reference to but a single aspect or branch of our "that your love may abound yet more and more" (Phil. 1:9) treats of another aspect, and "your faith groweth exceedingly" (2 Thess. 1:3), with yet another. It seems then that "spiritual growth" is a more comprehensive and inclusive term and more accurately covers that most important and desirable "may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ" (Eph. 4:15). Let it not be thought from this that we have selected our title in a captious spirit or because we are striving after originality. Not we have no criticism to make against those who may prefer some other appellation. We have chosen this simply because it seems more fitly and fully to describe the ground which we hope to cover. Our readers understand clearly what is connoted by "physical growth" or "mental growth," nor should "spiritual growth" be any the less intelligible."
198 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 1971
63 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Arthur W. Pink
666 books306 followersArthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2016
In his book, Spiritual Growth, AW Pink begins the book by stating that Christian spiritual growth is deeply important, somewhat mysterious, and somewhat difficult in that it is complex but comprehensive. He states what he believes is the difficulty of teaching spiritual growth and gives his reasons why the subject is practical. He then discusses the fact that people must be a Christian to understand and experience this growth and how we must strive to understand spiritual growth from God’s side as well as our own side. Pink shows us what spiritual growth is and is not and explains the stages of growth from infants to youth to maturity. He reminds Christians that the Bible commands us to watch and pray, deny self, strive against sin, put on the whole armor of God, put off the old man, fight the good fight, not be conformed by the world and to be transformed by the renewing of your mind in the Word of God. Pink emphasizes that Christians are to mortify the flesh and submit to the Holy Spirit of God. It is stated that a Christian is backsliding when his/her love for Christ is waning, we lose zeal for the glory of God, we become unable to discern good and evil, not being watchful for sin, attempting to justify sin in our life and when the world is controlling us. Christians will be growing spiritually when we recon ourselves dead to sin, live devoted to God, honor the Word of God, to walk with the LORD (to live is Christ), be obedient to God and His commands, pray without ceasing and have success in Christian warfare (fight the good fight). Living in all prudence, sobriety, stability, patience, humility, forbearance, contentment and love. I chose to read this book for two reasons; first, because I read Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God” and was so blessed by his wisdom I had to read more of his writings. Second, because this book is on the “most influential book list” for John MacArthur; I knew it would be a worthy read. This book has a lot of typos and misspelled words. I don't know if there are other editions of this book, but Bottom of the Hill publishing needs to edit the book.
December 28, 2017
Pink's treatment of 1 John 2:12-14 forms a solid foundation for developing biblical stages of spiritual growth.
May 14, 2020
Most excellent. Beautiful. So much truth and depth to his understanding. Surely, this man has been with God. The title says exactly what the book is meant to do for the reader that truly seeks spiritual growth.
October 20, 2017
Let me first state that I have never in all my life read a book with so many typos and spelling mistakes there were hundreds of them, that being said this is a review of the content written not the terrible editing job by Ichthus publications (which seems like a spelling mistake in itself.)
If anyone has read anything by A.W. Pink, then they'll know that his writings are similar to eating a porterhouse steak, they're slow to digest, very time consuming to finish, full of hard to swallow parts and quite 'rare' finding something else so Christ centered.
Spiritual Growth is no exception its full of so many thought provoking points that i almost highlighted the entire book. I would put this book in Pink's top 3 along with the Sovereignty of God and his Exposition on the Book of Hebrews.
I recommend this book to any christian (just make sure you pray for patience before reading it, those typos are so frustrating.) Now with that I'll end with my 3 favorite quotes from the book.
"One may read and reread the bible through systematically from Genesis to Revelation, he may 'search the scriptures' diligently - comparing passage with passage, he may become quite an accomplished bible student, and yet, spiritually speaking be not one whit better off for his pains. Why so? Because he failed to realize the chief reasons why God has given us His word and to act accordingly, because his motive is faulty, because the end he had in view is unworthy. God has given the Word to us as a revelation of Himself; of His character, of His government, of His requirements. Our motive in reading it then should be to become better acquainted with Him, with His perfections, with His will for us. Our end in pursuing His Word should be to learn how to please and glorify Him, and that, by our characters being formed under its holy influence and our conduct regulated in all its details by the rules He has there laid down. The mind needs instructing, but unless the conscience be searched, the heart influenced and the will moved, such knowledge will only puff us up and add to our condemnation."
"When the soul loses its relish for the things of God there will be less diligence in the quest of them. The means of grace, though not totally neglected, are used with more formality and with less delight and profit. The scriptures are then read more from a sense of duty than with a real hunger to feed on them. The throne of grace is approached more to satisfy conscience than from a deep longing to have fellowship with its occupant. As the heart is less occupied with Christ the mind will become increasingly engaged with the things of the world. As the conscience becomes less tender a spirit of compromise is yielded to and instead of watchfulness and strictness, there will be carelessness and laxity. As the love of Christ cools, obedience to Him becomes difficult and there is more backwardness to good works. As we fail to use the grace already received, corruptions gain the ascendancy. Instead of being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we find ourselves weak and unable to withstand the assaults of Satan."
"This is the only way in which it is possible to find rest unto our souls. As there is none other name given under Heaven among men by which we can be saved, so neither is there any other by which a backsliding saint can be restored. Whatever be the nature or the extent of our departure from God, there is no other way to return to Him but by the Mediator. Whatever be the wounds sin has inflicted upon our souls, there is no other remedy for them but the precious blood of the Lamb. If we have no heart to repent and return to God by Jesus Christ, then we are yet in our sins and may expect to reap the fruits of them. Scripture has no counsel short of that. We have many encouragements to do so. God is of exceeding great and tender mercy, and willing to forgive all who return to Him in the name of His Son; though our sins are as scarlet, the atoning blood of Christ is able to cleanse them. There is 'plenteous redemption' with Him. As Abram, David, Jonah, and Peter were restored, so may I, so may you be restored."
If anyone has read anything by A.W. Pink, then they'll know that his writings are similar to eating a porterhouse steak, they're slow to digest, very time consuming to finish, full of hard to swallow parts and quite 'rare' finding something else so Christ centered.
Spiritual Growth is no exception its full of so many thought provoking points that i almost highlighted the entire book. I would put this book in Pink's top 3 along with the Sovereignty of God and his Exposition on the Book of Hebrews.
I recommend this book to any christian (just make sure you pray for patience before reading it, those typos are so frustrating.) Now with that I'll end with my 3 favorite quotes from the book.
"One may read and reread the bible through systematically from Genesis to Revelation, he may 'search the scriptures' diligently - comparing passage with passage, he may become quite an accomplished bible student, and yet, spiritually speaking be not one whit better off for his pains. Why so? Because he failed to realize the chief reasons why God has given us His word and to act accordingly, because his motive is faulty, because the end he had in view is unworthy. God has given the Word to us as a revelation of Himself; of His character, of His government, of His requirements. Our motive in reading it then should be to become better acquainted with Him, with His perfections, with His will for us. Our end in pursuing His Word should be to learn how to please and glorify Him, and that, by our characters being formed under its holy influence and our conduct regulated in all its details by the rules He has there laid down. The mind needs instructing, but unless the conscience be searched, the heart influenced and the will moved, such knowledge will only puff us up and add to our condemnation."
"When the soul loses its relish for the things of God there will be less diligence in the quest of them. The means of grace, though not totally neglected, are used with more formality and with less delight and profit. The scriptures are then read more from a sense of duty than with a real hunger to feed on them. The throne of grace is approached more to satisfy conscience than from a deep longing to have fellowship with its occupant. As the heart is less occupied with Christ the mind will become increasingly engaged with the things of the world. As the conscience becomes less tender a spirit of compromise is yielded to and instead of watchfulness and strictness, there will be carelessness and laxity. As the love of Christ cools, obedience to Him becomes difficult and there is more backwardness to good works. As we fail to use the grace already received, corruptions gain the ascendancy. Instead of being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we find ourselves weak and unable to withstand the assaults of Satan."
"This is the only way in which it is possible to find rest unto our souls. As there is none other name given under Heaven among men by which we can be saved, so neither is there any other by which a backsliding saint can be restored. Whatever be the nature or the extent of our departure from God, there is no other way to return to Him but by the Mediator. Whatever be the wounds sin has inflicted upon our souls, there is no other remedy for them but the precious blood of the Lamb. If we have no heart to repent and return to God by Jesus Christ, then we are yet in our sins and may expect to reap the fruits of them. Scripture has no counsel short of that. We have many encouragements to do so. God is of exceeding great and tender mercy, and willing to forgive all who return to Him in the name of His Son; though our sins are as scarlet, the atoning blood of Christ is able to cleanse them. There is 'plenteous redemption' with Him. As Abram, David, Jonah, and Peter were restored, so may I, so may you be restored."
February 20, 2022
The more I read this author, the more respect and love I have for his work. You can see the devotion and passion he puts into his writing. He takes important topics and subjects mentioned in the bible and explains them in a simple and yet very comprehensive way, so if you re not putting enough effort, you can miss the point. And very importantly, he repeatedly emphasises the suficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the boundless richness of His grace: everything we are, everything we have, is trough Him alone.
Pink also warns against evaluating our spiritual level by our curent feelings, failures, succeses or other exterior acts, for this can be very deceving. Our only refrence must be Him, we must follow his absolute example of love, patience and humility.
Overall, this is a perfect book for everybody that has an honest desire to learn more about what spiritual growth means and how we can achieve it. After reading a few of his books, you will notice that the core principles and aspects of the Bible are repeatedly mentioned in each of his writings, wich is really nice. I encourage you to read not only this book, but all of his works.
Pink also warns against evaluating our spiritual level by our curent feelings, failures, succeses or other exterior acts, for this can be very deceving. Our only refrence must be Him, we must follow his absolute example of love, patience and humility.
Overall, this is a perfect book for everybody that has an honest desire to learn more about what spiritual growth means and how we can achieve it. After reading a few of his books, you will notice that the core principles and aspects of the Bible are repeatedly mentioned in each of his writings, wich is really nice. I encourage you to read not only this book, but all of his works.
July 3, 2022
Excellent
A W Pink is a person I would have loved to meet. His books has enlarged my spiritual growth in such a wonderful way.
But I need to caution myself as much as other readers. His writing is borderline on the legalistic side. As you gain from this book, be careful that you do not step over that line.
A W Pink is a person I would have loved to meet. His books has enlarged my spiritual growth in such a wonderful way.
But I need to caution myself as much as other readers. His writing is borderline on the legalistic side. As you gain from this book, be careful that you do not step over that line.
December 4, 2011
An old book, but a good one. Relentlessly biblical-- good counterbalance to some of the things we're hearing today about sanctification.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews