Soul and Spirit

by Jessie Penn-Lewis

The helpful analysis of Jessie Penn-Lewis on the teaching of the Bible about soul and spirit is a valuable guide to every Christian who seeks further light on this subject.

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861–1927) was a Welsh evangelical speaker and the author of a number of Christian evangelical works. Her religious work also took her to Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, the United States, and India.

Reviews

[Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

However controversial some of her views are (she wrote much on 'spiritual warfare') stemming in large part from her personal experience of the great Welsh revival at the beginning of the 20th century, this is a helpful book, in my opinion, touching on discerning the difference between the workings of, and fruit of the 'soulish' person who claims to be walking in Christ's power, but in fact is walking in the natural powers of the soul enslaved to certain sinful passions (jealousy etc . . .). The soulish person is the person described by the Apostle James in his epistle, and which he calls 'soulish' (James 3:13-18). The Greek word in verse 15 often translated as 'unspiritual' does not actually have as its root the Greek word for 'spirit' (many versions translate the Greek word as 'unspiritual' - and, truly to be 'soulish' is unspiritual) but the word there, more accurately translated 'soulish', is from the Greek word for 'soul' not 'spirit'. So there are persons who rely on themselves and act according to the passions of the soul, thinking that they are 'ministering' Christ to people, when actually they are in fact enslaving them by the power of the 'soul' - through jealousy, selfish ambition etc . . . rather than setting them free to live in Christ's freedom - in the liberty of the Spirit of God.

She touches as well (and importantly!) on purification of the 'soul' through faith in the Word of God - which through the Spirit frees us to walk in liberty from the tyranny of the passions of the soul described in James 3:13-18. She speaks of this purification in terms of a walking through a desert experience, just as the Israelites did, and just as our Savior Jesus Christ did, reversing the disobedience of Adam while being tempted in the desert. Saint Paul wrote, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ . . ." and we "receive the Spirit though faith". Hearing, the Word of Christ, faith and the Spirit are all intertwined in the mighty act of God in the human heart to deliver us from slavery to the sinful, 'soulish', passions and to purify and enlighten us to live as God's freely obedient children - seeing God in the world and the world in God through a pure heart, full of love and not acting out of bitterness and self concern.

I found this book very helpful and liberating when I read it many years ago - the early 90's. Many of its themes and emphasis regarding the healing of the soul from the passions overlap with those of Eastern Orthodox Christian teaching on the purification and healing of the heart from the sinful passions.

I've not read any other of Penn-Lewis' works, so I cannot recommend them.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.

[Michael Tsaphah · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Catherine L Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps you understand more fully out soul and body. Great writer!