What do you think?
Rate this book
How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?: The Satisfying Certainty of Eternal Life
Nearly everyone wants to go to heaven when they die. Nearly everyone assumes they will go there. And yet the Bible paints a picture of the “road that leads to eternal life” being found and traveled by few. Careful students of the Scriptures often find themselves wondering, How can I be sure of my salvation?
Veteran Bible teacher Donald S. Whitney guides us carefully and patiently through the Bible’s teachings on salvation and eternal life—steering us clear of misplaced confidence and pointing us always toward Christ our hope. If doubts about your salvation ever disturb your peace, turn again and again to this book for refreshing clarity and confidence in the God who guides your steps.
Veteran Bible teacher Donald S. Whitney guides us carefully and patiently through the Bible’s teachings on salvation and eternal life—steering us clear of misplaced confidence and pointing us always toward Christ our hope. If doubts about your salvation ever disturb your peace, turn again and again to this book for refreshing clarity and confidence in the God who guides your steps.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
38 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Donald S. Whitney
31 books311 followersDON WHITNEY has been Professor of Biblical spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, since 2005. Before that, he held a similar position (the first such position in the six Southern Baptist seminaries) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, for 10 years. He is the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don is a frequent speaker in churches, retreats, and conferences in the U.S. and abroad.
Don grew up in Osceola, AR, where he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After graduating from Arkansas State, Don planned to finish law school and pursue a career in sportscasting. While at the University of Arkansas School of Law, he sensed God's call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He then enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979. In 1987, Don completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He earned a PhD in theology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfonteine, South Africa in 2013.
Prior to his ministry as a seminary professor, Don pastored Glenfield Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, IL (a Chicago suburb), for almost 15 years. Altogether, he's served local churches in pastoral ministry for 24 years.
He is the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, which has a companion Study Guide. He has also written How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?, Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, and Family Worship. His hobby is restoring and using old fountain pens.
Don lives with his wife, Caffy, in their home near Louisville. She teaches classes for seminary wives and is an artist, muralist, and illustrator. The Whitneys are parents of Laurelen.
Don's website is www.BiblicalSpirituality.org. He's on Twitter @DonWhitney and on Facebook.
Don grew up in Osceola, AR, where he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After graduating from Arkansas State, Don planned to finish law school and pursue a career in sportscasting. While at the University of Arkansas School of Law, he sensed God's call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He then enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979. In 1987, Don completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He earned a PhD in theology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfonteine, South Africa in 2013.
Prior to his ministry as a seminary professor, Don pastored Glenfield Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, IL (a Chicago suburb), for almost 15 years. Altogether, he's served local churches in pastoral ministry for 24 years.
He is the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, which has a companion Study Guide. He has also written How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?, Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, and Family Worship. His hobby is restoring and using old fountain pens.
Don lives with his wife, Caffy, in their home near Louisville. She teaches classes for seminary wives and is an artist, muralist, and illustrator. The Whitneys are parents of Laurelen.
Don's website is www.BiblicalSpirituality.org. He's on Twitter @DonWhitney and on Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 27, 2023
"If you would strengthen and maintain your assurance, then see to it that your hearts run more out to Christ than to assurance; to the sun than to the beams, to the fountain than to the stream, to the root than to the branch, to the cause than to the effect. Assurance is sweet, but Christ is more sweet. Assurance is lovely, but Christ altogether lovely. Assurance is precious, but Christ is most precious. Therefore let thy eye and heart, first, most, and last, be fixed upon Christ." -Thomas Brooks
As someone in a pit of uncertainty, this read came at the perfect time. For those wavering and discerning I pray for you in that trial and season. Seek godly counsel. This book may act as a useful tool to sift your heart, and give you the vernacular to label the tensions in your innermost.
As someone in a pit of uncertainty, this read came at the perfect time. For those wavering and discerning I pray for you in that trial and season. Seek godly counsel. This book may act as a useful tool to sift your heart, and give you the vernacular to label the tensions in your innermost.
February 16, 2021
Well-Balanced, Biblically-Informed
I hadn't given much thought to assurance of salvation until the past year. I came to faith as a child, but gain greater understanding of God's will and ways as I grow older – and this book has helped me think biblically about questions of certainty and doubt. Whitney writes in a tone that is both challenging and encouraging, so that (regardless of spiritual state) the reader will walk away with a desire to pursue the Lord in faith. And when they do, they are given tons of practical, pastoral advice to act upon. So don't settle for a pamphlet about dealing with doubt; pick this up instead!
I hadn't given much thought to assurance of salvation until the past year. I came to faith as a child, but gain greater understanding of God's will and ways as I grow older – and this book has helped me think biblically about questions of certainty and doubt. Whitney writes in a tone that is both challenging and encouraging, so that (regardless of spiritual state) the reader will walk away with a desire to pursue the Lord in faith. And when they do, they are given tons of practical, pastoral advice to act upon. So don't settle for a pamphlet about dealing with doubt; pick this up instead!
September 21, 2021
Thought this was quite confusing at first but definitely has given me more assurance of my faith as I test myself while reading this. Recommended for anyone who is not sure of their faith. Not sure how to apply this to another person as the uncertainty must come from one's self. I like how he talked about that it is a false assurance to think one is saved by saying a simple sentence, but does not change any aspects of one's life afterwards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
SUMMARY:
This thing is a pamphlet blown up to book size to make more money. The title is misleading. While he does mention a couple of places in the Bible he totally fails to answer the question and fails to address what the Bible says that negates assurance.
He mentions a number of Bible verses that might have some clue to the answer but you will have to go look them up for yourself as he prefers to babble on with stuff that is just his opinion.
The gory details:
Disappointed after 20 pages in and nothing of real value; and what was there was contradictory to his claims or else double talk to fill space.
He made some other interesting claims that were not really pertinent but were interesting if only he had given details instead of just alluding to something that might be true.
Based on the title I expected answers , not him 'exploring' issues. Give me what the Bible says, but not all the claims he makes with no support at all.
Hoping he has a point and gets to it soon. Will continue reading today.
Well it continues the same way. Many many unproven claims that might make up the answer if there were any evidence to back his claims up.
At times he uses logical fallacies. That brings the whole book into question.
And he fails to define terms that are the basis for reading this book in the first place:
in
fully formed
faith
believe , heart
works
has
yada yada
chapter 4 continues with promise but falls short.
logical fallacies, statements that *he* believes with no proof, confusing items w/o context to help understand, quotes without a source, no basis for his claims, way too many words with too little directly on the target.
Some good points that are believable but yet are unsupported, as is so much in this book.
chapter 5 is more of the same, with emphasis on more.
Many claims made with no basis to support them.
Uses undefined words and concepts in many places.
Too much double babble with no supporting info.
Makes vague allusions to John without explaining WTF he means.
Speaks for John without any backup proof.
More vague stuff.
Uses brand name beliefs that are not in the Bible.
Makes more vague claims and vague allusions to unclear stuff.
Needless logical fallacies.
On the good side he does point to John for some useful stuff which makes us do what we had bought this book for. He did point to one good verse that helps but is not the answer alluded to in the title.
Many claims about the bible without support.
Yet more logical fallacies. His claiming person X claims something is useless blather.
And still more logical fallacies.
I guess when you got nothing to say then just say somebody else claims something to break up the times you claim something but provide no evidence or support for that either.
to be continued - and I will continue but this is a long slow disappointing slog through too much extraneous double babble mixed thoroughly with logical fallacies and unsupported claims with waaay too little useful content.
The title says what the bible says about salvation but most of it is what he claims or claims what other people say with way too little from the Bible and what is from the Bible is usually done poorly and puts the burden back on us.
That is all mixed in with some brand name nonsense that is NOT in the Bible anywhere that I can find.
We could just read the Bible and be far ahead of where this book took us in spite of the claims in the Title.
But on to chapter 6 hoping it might get better. It does not.
Goes way downhill now starting with nearly 20 vague pronouns with no clue what he is referring to. I thought that was the style of modern novels not a serious book.
Maybe this book was only serious about making money for the author.
Many unfounded claims.
Common errors many people believe, which are NOT in the Bible.
Makes Bible claims again with no cites.
Makes unfounded projections of himself and starts claiming he knows what we think by saying you this, you that you, you you you, when it might be him but it is not what other people are or do or think or believe or whatever. Using second person is almost always a fail, like he failed here.
Uses David as an example when clearly David did not fit what he claims.
Makes irrelevant cites.
I am determined to finish this book because it claimed to discuss something that I really hoped to find out about. But you don't have to eat all of a rotten egg to know its rotten.
Soon I will attempt chapter 7 and hope it does not keep getting worse.
chapter 7 -
Many many many unfounded claims with absolutely no basis. Many seem like brand name beliefs unique to his religion.
Has paradoxical contradictions. Not helpful.
Uses undefined words. Has much unexplained stuff.
GROSS ERRORS wrt to what is in the Bible !!!!!!!!!!
A translation error in his copy? Everybody else seems to have gotten it right.
One wonders if he read the Bible more than once and how carefully that one time was.
This chapter was 'better' as if less worse is anywhere near good.
Logical fallacies again. so on to Chapter 8 tomorrow. But now I am thinking of skimming the rest or even DNF.
you dont have to eat all of a rotten egg to know its rotten.
tune in later to see if I persisted. Guess I have to persist if Paul said so:)
Chapter 8 is much better but still not focused on the issue in the title.
Many good points. All very very plausible. None of them backed up by anything than his opinion. But he does seem to be correct.
Confuses rewards as being needed as proof of belief and claims belief alone is enough.
Good points for adults saved as kids. Seem plausible. No Bible back up as usual.
Does a quote without basis to understand.
Refers to a verse to read to try to understand what he said. He needs to put those things in the text itself.
Keeps talking about heaven. Nowhere in the 632 some verses that mention heaven or heavens does the Bible actually say that WE GO TO heaven. All indications are that there is a new earth new heaven and a new Jerusalem and we live on the new earth.
Why else would we need a new body? In heaven we would be spirits wouldn't we?
Good cite about suicide not being unforgivable.
Possible erroneous claim about Bible as Paul seems to contradict his statement.
A big clue to the actual answer is hidden in one graf but is not fully supported by citations but does have some. So ALMOST the answer hidden here like a needle in a haystack.
Interpretation is highlighted as the Bible confuses many experts.
EG pre post mid no trib. Even the experts do not agree on what is meant.
He NEEDS to precisely define his words. He alluded to that problem in this chapter but then he keeps us in the dark by doing the same thing to us.
Egotistical claims but I would say not believing something here would be due to his bad writing not our spiritual status.
Keeps saying (go to) Heaven when there is no verse in the Bible that says that.
There are others that might indicate we go to paradise or other places the reader wishes meant heaven. But wasn't Eden paradise initially and it was on earth!
Chapter nine has a good title. Tomorrow we see if the writer does it justice even though it is not directly answering the question in the title of this overblown pamphlet.
Well the topic is useful even if not directly pertinent to the book's title.
More plausible things without any proof or attempt to support the claims.
Other claims with no proof and claims that are wild made up stuff from left field.
False claims with respect to Heaven.
Raises issue then says just reread chapter 3-5 again. WTF. An endless loop of zilch.
More logical fallacies. More wild statements with zero basis or support.
More Brand_name church's baloney about Heaven.
And yet more logical fallacies.
Gives us something to think about but answers really nothing we bought the book to find out about.
What will chapter ten have to say? Statistics says more of the same.
We will see tomorrow.
Can the tiger change his dots? Well neither can an author change his style.
There are many gospels. He never identifies the specific one and says what it is.
After much blather he states it briefly, but alludes to intracacies he omits. WTF!
More confusion about going to Heaven. Nowhere in the Bible is there any verse that says we go to Heaven.
Asks if we understand but nobody is ever clear and complete just allusions to something.
Terms not defined but used anyway but not as we know them.
More logical fallacies.
Puts onus on us to check verses he points to instead of including them and explaining why they fit his claims.
Confusing concerning Jesus and God. They are clearly two distinctly separate entities.
Only God knows when the end will be. Jesus obeys God. They sit on different thrones. Yet Jesus claims they are one. Clearly not the identical same one so what did that statement mean? They may both be the same type of being how can they be the same identical one as many claim?
Makes vague exhortations. More logical fallacies. Unfounded claims abound.
Some good tips that are believable but made questionable with all the other blather fallacies and double babble crapola.
More logical fallacies. One SPAG error. More unfounded claims. Makes up stuff with no basis or support to make us even think we should believe what he says.
GobbledyGook abounds. Plausible stuff with no proof is deprecated by the fallacies and provable errors.
Does he know that appeal to authority by citing what others claim is a logical fallacy or does he thinks it somehow makes him look smarter or what?
No definition or explanation or elaboration on key terms. Tells us to look them up.
Might have been a tract, even a magazine article, but not even a small booklet let alone this small book.
Totally disappointed as I had believed the title when I bought it.
==== 30 ====
****
PS post reading main book:
At the end he has useless discussion questions. He was supposed to give us an answer from the title of the book. All we got was blather. This guy is full of himself if he expects us to waste more time discussing things to figure out what he did not tell us.
After that he gives a section of cites which amount to a lot of logical fallacies by pointing to what some other guy claimed that he parroted in his book here.
Well easier than making footnotes I guess.
Looking at reviews of similar competing books they all seem to be similar in what they do not tell us in spite of their titles. Does anybody really know?
I have asked many preacher men this question and NOBODY HAS ANSWERED IT YET.
Some ignore me. Some blow me off with canned answers that are irrelevant. A couple try - sort of - but fall way short. One tried seriously but did not fully answer the question. The bigger the name the less they try to answer questions. I guess they would rather spend time making another tv commercial begging for money to help all the great work they claim they do.
While this book has some useful items they do not directly address the title of the book and what it claimed to help understand.
So we have to consider it all in context: “Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus”. Although written in Latin, for English common law, the actual meaning is “a witness who testifies falsely about one matter is not credible to testify about any matter.”
Whitney has zero credibility. Zero zip zilch nada bubkes squat nothing .....
And thus we need to reject his entire blather except for those very few points that were clearly established and are proven by other multiple credible sources not his logical fallacies of quoting somebody else who claimed something.
Overall conclusion: a possible magazine article done very badly.
This thing is a pamphlet blown up to book size to make more money. The title is misleading. While he does mention a couple of places in the Bible he totally fails to answer the question and fails to address what the Bible says that negates assurance.
He mentions a number of Bible verses that might have some clue to the answer but you will have to go look them up for yourself as he prefers to babble on with stuff that is just his opinion.
The gory details:
Disappointed after 20 pages in and nothing of real value; and what was there was contradictory to his claims or else double talk to fill space.
He made some other interesting claims that were not really pertinent but were interesting if only he had given details instead of just alluding to something that might be true.
Based on the title I expected answers , not him 'exploring' issues. Give me what the Bible says, but not all the claims he makes with no support at all.
Hoping he has a point and gets to it soon. Will continue reading today.
Well it continues the same way. Many many unproven claims that might make up the answer if there were any evidence to back his claims up.
At times he uses logical fallacies. That brings the whole book into question.
And he fails to define terms that are the basis for reading this book in the first place:
in
fully formed
faith
believe , heart
works
has
yada yada
chapter 4 continues with promise but falls short.
logical fallacies, statements that *he* believes with no proof, confusing items w/o context to help understand, quotes without a source, no basis for his claims, way too many words with too little directly on the target.
Some good points that are believable but yet are unsupported, as is so much in this book.
chapter 5 is more of the same, with emphasis on more.
Many claims made with no basis to support them.
Uses undefined words and concepts in many places.
Too much double babble with no supporting info.
Makes vague allusions to John without explaining WTF he means.
Speaks for John without any backup proof.
More vague stuff.
Uses brand name beliefs that are not in the Bible.
Makes more vague claims and vague allusions to unclear stuff.
Needless logical fallacies.
On the good side he does point to John for some useful stuff which makes us do what we had bought this book for. He did point to one good verse that helps but is not the answer alluded to in the title.
Many claims about the bible without support.
Yet more logical fallacies. His claiming person X claims something is useless blather.
And still more logical fallacies.
I guess when you got nothing to say then just say somebody else claims something to break up the times you claim something but provide no evidence or support for that either.
to be continued - and I will continue but this is a long slow disappointing slog through too much extraneous double babble mixed thoroughly with logical fallacies and unsupported claims with waaay too little useful content.
The title says what the bible says about salvation but most of it is what he claims or claims what other people say with way too little from the Bible and what is from the Bible is usually done poorly and puts the burden back on us.
That is all mixed in with some brand name nonsense that is NOT in the Bible anywhere that I can find.
We could just read the Bible and be far ahead of where this book took us in spite of the claims in the Title.
But on to chapter 6 hoping it might get better. It does not.
Goes way downhill now starting with nearly 20 vague pronouns with no clue what he is referring to. I thought that was the style of modern novels not a serious book.
Maybe this book was only serious about making money for the author.
Many unfounded claims.
Common errors many people believe, which are NOT in the Bible.
Makes Bible claims again with no cites.
Makes unfounded projections of himself and starts claiming he knows what we think by saying you this, you that you, you you you, when it might be him but it is not what other people are or do or think or believe or whatever. Using second person is almost always a fail, like he failed here.
Uses David as an example when clearly David did not fit what he claims.
Makes irrelevant cites.
I am determined to finish this book because it claimed to discuss something that I really hoped to find out about. But you don't have to eat all of a rotten egg to know its rotten.
Soon I will attempt chapter 7 and hope it does not keep getting worse.
chapter 7 -
Many many many unfounded claims with absolutely no basis. Many seem like brand name beliefs unique to his religion.
Has paradoxical contradictions. Not helpful.
Uses undefined words. Has much unexplained stuff.
GROSS ERRORS wrt to what is in the Bible !!!!!!!!!!
A translation error in his copy? Everybody else seems to have gotten it right.
One wonders if he read the Bible more than once and how carefully that one time was.
This chapter was 'better' as if less worse is anywhere near good.
Logical fallacies again. so on to Chapter 8 tomorrow. But now I am thinking of skimming the rest or even DNF.
you dont have to eat all of a rotten egg to know its rotten.
tune in later to see if I persisted. Guess I have to persist if Paul said so:)
Chapter 8 is much better but still not focused on the issue in the title.
Many good points. All very very plausible. None of them backed up by anything than his opinion. But he does seem to be correct.
Confuses rewards as being needed as proof of belief and claims belief alone is enough.
Good points for adults saved as kids. Seem plausible. No Bible back up as usual.
Does a quote without basis to understand.
Refers to a verse to read to try to understand what he said. He needs to put those things in the text itself.
Keeps talking about heaven. Nowhere in the 632 some verses that mention heaven or heavens does the Bible actually say that WE GO TO heaven. All indications are that there is a new earth new heaven and a new Jerusalem and we live on the new earth.
Why else would we need a new body? In heaven we would be spirits wouldn't we?
Good cite about suicide not being unforgivable.
Possible erroneous claim about Bible as Paul seems to contradict his statement.
A big clue to the actual answer is hidden in one graf but is not fully supported by citations but does have some. So ALMOST the answer hidden here like a needle in a haystack.
Interpretation is highlighted as the Bible confuses many experts.
EG pre post mid no trib. Even the experts do not agree on what is meant.
He NEEDS to precisely define his words. He alluded to that problem in this chapter but then he keeps us in the dark by doing the same thing to us.
Egotistical claims but I would say not believing something here would be due to his bad writing not our spiritual status.
Keeps saying (go to) Heaven when there is no verse in the Bible that says that.
There are others that might indicate we go to paradise or other places the reader wishes meant heaven. But wasn't Eden paradise initially and it was on earth!
Chapter nine has a good title. Tomorrow we see if the writer does it justice even though it is not directly answering the question in the title of this overblown pamphlet.
Well the topic is useful even if not directly pertinent to the book's title.
More plausible things without any proof or attempt to support the claims.
Other claims with no proof and claims that are wild made up stuff from left field.
False claims with respect to Heaven.
Raises issue then says just reread chapter 3-5 again. WTF. An endless loop of zilch.
More logical fallacies. More wild statements with zero basis or support.
More Brand_name church's baloney about Heaven.
And yet more logical fallacies.
Gives us something to think about but answers really nothing we bought the book to find out about.
What will chapter ten have to say? Statistics says more of the same.
We will see tomorrow.
Can the tiger change his dots? Well neither can an author change his style.
There are many gospels. He never identifies the specific one and says what it is.
After much blather he states it briefly, but alludes to intracacies he omits. WTF!
More confusion about going to Heaven. Nowhere in the Bible is there any verse that says we go to Heaven.
Asks if we understand but nobody is ever clear and complete just allusions to something.
Terms not defined but used anyway but not as we know them.
More logical fallacies.
Puts onus on us to check verses he points to instead of including them and explaining why they fit his claims.
Confusing concerning Jesus and God. They are clearly two distinctly separate entities.
Only God knows when the end will be. Jesus obeys God. They sit on different thrones. Yet Jesus claims they are one. Clearly not the identical same one so what did that statement mean? They may both be the same type of being how can they be the same identical one as many claim?
Makes vague exhortations. More logical fallacies. Unfounded claims abound.
Some good tips that are believable but made questionable with all the other blather fallacies and double babble crapola.
More logical fallacies. One SPAG error. More unfounded claims. Makes up stuff with no basis or support to make us even think we should believe what he says.
GobbledyGook abounds. Plausible stuff with no proof is deprecated by the fallacies and provable errors.
Does he know that appeal to authority by citing what others claim is a logical fallacy or does he thinks it somehow makes him look smarter or what?
No definition or explanation or elaboration on key terms. Tells us to look them up.
Might have been a tract, even a magazine article, but not even a small booklet let alone this small book.
Totally disappointed as I had believed the title when I bought it.
==== 30 ====
****
PS post reading main book:
At the end he has useless discussion questions. He was supposed to give us an answer from the title of the book. All we got was blather. This guy is full of himself if he expects us to waste more time discussing things to figure out what he did not tell us.
After that he gives a section of cites which amount to a lot of logical fallacies by pointing to what some other guy claimed that he parroted in his book here.
Well easier than making footnotes I guess.
Looking at reviews of similar competing books they all seem to be similar in what they do not tell us in spite of their titles. Does anybody really know?
I have asked many preacher men this question and NOBODY HAS ANSWERED IT YET.
Some ignore me. Some blow me off with canned answers that are irrelevant. A couple try - sort of - but fall way short. One tried seriously but did not fully answer the question. The bigger the name the less they try to answer questions. I guess they would rather spend time making another tv commercial begging for money to help all the great work they claim they do.
While this book has some useful items they do not directly address the title of the book and what it claimed to help understand.
So we have to consider it all in context: “Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus”. Although written in Latin, for English common law, the actual meaning is “a witness who testifies falsely about one matter is not credible to testify about any matter.”
Whitney has zero credibility. Zero zip zilch nada bubkes squat nothing .....
And thus we need to reject his entire blather except for those very few points that were clearly established and are proven by other multiple credible sources not his logical fallacies of quoting somebody else who claimed something.
Overall conclusion: a possible magazine article done very badly.
June 3, 2019
Whitney delivers an updated version of his book on assurance of salvation. (I haven’t read the original so I cannot comment on how extensive the revision is.) It is a predominately helpful and articulate book that addresses the key components of assurance with candor and conviction.
The strengths of this book are three-fold: (1) consistent reliance on Scripture for forming conclusions and spurring action, (2) gripping illustrations and metaphors designed to communicate effectively, and (3) Whitney’s vast pastoral experience in helping those on the spectrum of doubt and confusion.
On the other hand, the book suffers a bit from trying to tackle too many options, especially in latter chapters. Take, for instance, the common causes behind a lack of assurance. Whitney rattles off a plethora of options, but doesn’t engage with many of them. Instead, we get a summary that doesn’t quite do justice to the topic. Imagine reading a Wikipedia article (or Cliff Notes for the old school) in place of the actual book. I would rather have had more—or even less if word count was an issue—but not the kind of “let’s talk about this but not really” length many of the chapters ended up with.
Nevertheless, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses here. Whitney’s prose is relatable and his tone is encouraging, even when warning against flippancy or false assurance. If this update gets more people to read and rest in the truths contained here, then I am confident Whitney’s book will be a great help to many who experience doubt about their standing with God.
The strengths of this book are three-fold: (1) consistent reliance on Scripture for forming conclusions and spurring action, (2) gripping illustrations and metaphors designed to communicate effectively, and (3) Whitney’s vast pastoral experience in helping those on the spectrum of doubt and confusion.
On the other hand, the book suffers a bit from trying to tackle too many options, especially in latter chapters. Take, for instance, the common causes behind a lack of assurance. Whitney rattles off a plethora of options, but doesn’t engage with many of them. Instead, we get a summary that doesn’t quite do justice to the topic. Imagine reading a Wikipedia article (or Cliff Notes for the old school) in place of the actual book. I would rather have had more—or even less if word count was an issue—but not the kind of “let’s talk about this but not really” length many of the chapters ended up with.
Nevertheless, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses here. Whitney’s prose is relatable and his tone is encouraging, even when warning against flippancy or false assurance. If this update gets more people to read and rest in the truths contained here, then I am confident Whitney’s book will be a great help to many who experience doubt about their standing with God.
June 24, 2021
Don Whitney clearly knows what the reader wishes to know and presents his thoughts and explanations with that in mind. I recommend this book to all Christians - new believer or someone who can regurgitate the gospel and practice the same. Although the title seems to target people having doubts about their salvation, this book also addresses the issue of false assurance of salvation.
Each subsection begins with a concise instruction or a question that greatly assists the reader in digesting what that subsection addresses. This book is not only an easy and riveting read, but also taught me much and tackled questions which I haven’t been able to articulate even though I had in the past grappled with the issues concerning them.
Each subsection begins with a concise instruction or a question that greatly assists the reader in digesting what that subsection addresses. This book is not only an easy and riveting read, but also taught me much and tackled questions which I haven’t been able to articulate even though I had in the past grappled with the issues concerning them.
February 7, 2017
This is the best book out of three that I've read on assurance of salvation, though they all contained helpful things. This is very thorough, and points out practical ways to further assurance, quotes from trusted theologians, and real reasons to doubt. Plus loving reasons why God might temporarily withhold assurance (that part could have been fleshed out a bit better, perhaps). Encouraging to the true yet struggling Christian, though often my own heart is tough to gauge!
July 30, 2010
This book was extremely helpful to me in my struggle with assurance. Mr. Whitney does a great job of explaining true, Biblical repentance and faith while contrasting it with false belief. He is very clear and easy to understand, and the book is filled with scripture. This book would definitely help anyone struggling to know whether they are truly saved!
June 7, 2011
I read this book over a span of a few months, and I am so glad that I did. I have always known that I am Christian, but, through reading this book I felt such assurance. Assurance that I can only get from God. Very thankful for this book.
September 7, 2007
A very well written book on assurance of salvation.
March 3, 2018
There is so much information packed into this book. Solidly grounded in scripture. Hits this topic from every angle. This is a wonderful resource
October 13, 2019
Very accessible introduction into the doctrine of assurance. Appreciate the way Whitney writes to all levels of Christian readers.
March 28, 2020
Functional - would recommend as a first book on the subject rather than an in-depth consideration. Covers all the ground but in a fairly pedestrian way.
September 24, 2017
"If you would strengthen and maintain your assurance, then see to it that your hearts run more out to Christ than to assurance; to the sun than to the beams, to the fountain than to the stream..." - Thomas Brooks
If you've ever wondered how you can know whether God has shown mercy to you, I highly commend this book.
Don Whitney graciously and pastorally addresses the goodness of desiring assurance, and then grounds the basis of assurance of salvation in Scripture, Christ's atoning death, internal testimony of the Spirit, and external signs of spiritual growth. But even in this, he carefully navigates the conversation, avoiding both giving a false sense of confidence to his readers and making them overly fearful.
He usefully walks through actions and reasons that can contribute to a lack of assurance (including not actually being a Christian!), and keeps pointing the reader to Christ. Though I was initially concerned about his use of the category 'backslidden Christian,' I think he helped me see how this is a legitimate category that has often been abused and use as an excuse not to exhort someone to repentance.
Each chapter concludes with helpful, straightforward application of how you should live that clearly sets Christ as the most important goal, not assurance itself. His concluding chapter on what to do if you're still unsure is so helpful in acknowledging that not every Christian who reads the book will feel a strong sense of assurance after reading it, and he responds with providing more practical counsel clearly grounded in Scripture. Whitney was a professor of mine, but this book allowed me to see what a gentle and wise pastor this man also is.
If you've ever wondered how you can know whether God has shown mercy to you, I highly commend this book.
Don Whitney graciously and pastorally addresses the goodness of desiring assurance, and then grounds the basis of assurance of salvation in Scripture, Christ's atoning death, internal testimony of the Spirit, and external signs of spiritual growth. But even in this, he carefully navigates the conversation, avoiding both giving a false sense of confidence to his readers and making them overly fearful.
He usefully walks through actions and reasons that can contribute to a lack of assurance (including not actually being a Christian!), and keeps pointing the reader to Christ. Though I was initially concerned about his use of the category 'backslidden Christian,' I think he helped me see how this is a legitimate category that has often been abused and use as an excuse not to exhort someone to repentance.
Each chapter concludes with helpful, straightforward application of how you should live that clearly sets Christ as the most important goal, not assurance itself. His concluding chapter on what to do if you're still unsure is so helpful in acknowledging that not every Christian who reads the book will feel a strong sense of assurance after reading it, and he responds with providing more practical counsel clearly grounded in Scripture. Whitney was a professor of mine, but this book allowed me to see what a gentle and wise pastor this man also is.
August 2, 2022
"Our confidence that we are going to Heaven shouldn't be based upon a hope that begins with 'Because I . . .' but on one that begins with 'Because God . . .'" This volume is summarized in those words from its third chapter, but of course all the other words in the book fill out the picture for the saint suffering from weak assurance.
And there is a lot of filling out. Whitney writes from long exposure to the Lord, the word, the Puritans, and the ministry. "Is assurance of salvation possible?" He answers in the first chapter. "How do I get it?" He answers in the tenth. "What if I'm tricking myself?" See chapter 9, and on and on.
I have never myself struggled with an assurance of salvation. While I read I wondered why—I have wrestled with every other Ephesian beast, but this one has never once, to my memory, even woken up to challenge me. Whitney notes that those who grow up Christian in Christian homes often find assurance the most difficult, yet that is me and I am an outlier. At the least I can say it has nothing to do with my temperament or attainments as a Christian, or very little. I must assume instead it is so that I may focus my efforts elsewhere.
And there is a lot of filling out. Whitney writes from long exposure to the Lord, the word, the Puritans, and the ministry. "Is assurance of salvation possible?" He answers in the first chapter. "How do I get it?" He answers in the tenth. "What if I'm tricking myself?" See chapter 9, and on and on.
I have never myself struggled with an assurance of salvation. While I read I wondered why—I have wrestled with every other Ephesian beast, but this one has never once, to my memory, even woken up to challenge me. Whitney notes that those who grow up Christian in Christian homes often find assurance the most difficult, yet that is me and I am an outlier. At the least I can say it has nothing to do with my temperament or attainments as a Christian, or very little. I must assume instead it is so that I may focus my efforts elsewhere.
February 14, 2024
Some practical thoughts on assurance of salvation. It’s an issue probably all Christians have at some point or another, and it is not an insignificant thing. Many look to their baptism, or their good works, or their progress in sanctification as a sort of litmus test for whether they are in God’s good graces or not. These are probably helpful as far as they go, but they aren’t sufficient for salvation, simply products of salvation. Whitney works through these topics ably and provides some helpful analysis along the way.
October 18, 2024
Dr. Whitney's "How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?" is probably the most solid book I have read this year. So many people struggle with assurance of salvation, and this book handles the struggle with biblical truth and encouragement. No false security is given either. It is theologically sound and incredibly practical, as well as accessible for most any reader. Whether you are struggling with assurance, have ever struggled, or don't tend to struggle at all, your faith will be strengthened and you will be challenged in your spiritual walk.
December 17, 2022
The Most Important Decision In Your Life
Outstanding book.
A lot to consider for me, when reading this.
Really got me thinking.
Would definitely reread.
The most important decision in your life.
I prayed a lot after reading this.
A heavy book!
Highly recommended.
5.0/5
Outstanding book.
A lot to consider for me, when reading this.
Really got me thinking.
Would definitely reread.
The most important decision in your life.
I prayed a lot after reading this.
A heavy book!
Highly recommended.
5.0/5
November 20, 2023
This is a helpful resource for those who are struggling with assurance of salvation. Donald Whitney clearly defines salvation, describes those who have it, and provides scriptural evidence for his claims. I've read several resources like this, but this one stands out as an all-in-one guide.
I'll return to this one.
I'll return to this one.
July 10, 2024
If you ever feel like you're not going anywhere in your faith or you feel like you might be losing your salvation, this book os definitely one to read! If you feel stuck in your faith, read this book!
July 17, 2018
The author presented his argument clearly and precisely. A good book for anyone who has doubt over his assurance of salvation.
October 8, 2022
Extremely helpful resource both for those lacking assurance & those walking with others who lack assurance.
September 13, 2023
everyone has doubts if they are saved. Read this for reassurance or if you are looking for assurance but read it with an open heart.
December 9, 2013
This book has repeatedly been health to my spirit for the past 19 years, when it was first printed in 1994. I have struggled with assurance of salvation for many reasons, not the least of which is my personality as a Melancholy, a high-C, and a Blue.
Dr. Whitney has challenged me, comforted me, and walked with me through nearly two decades now, but he has done so because the Holy Spirit has anointed his writing, and has been using his words as a healing balm to my heart.
Concrete thinkers, like me, seem to have trouble with the exercise of faith in, that which is eternal because we want "a sure thing, that we can see," but faith is intentionally nebulous to the human mind, since The LORD will never allow us to be assured on the basis of mental certitude, but on the basis of trust in the Person of Jesus Christ.
By GOD's Grace even I am learning to Trust.
Thank you, Dr. Whitney, for giving me enough points of mental understanding to aid heart trust. :)
Dr. Whitney has challenged me, comforted me, and walked with me through nearly two decades now, but he has done so because the Holy Spirit has anointed his writing, and has been using his words as a healing balm to my heart.
Concrete thinkers, like me, seem to have trouble with the exercise of faith in, that which is eternal because we want "a sure thing, that we can see," but faith is intentionally nebulous to the human mind, since The LORD will never allow us to be assured on the basis of mental certitude, but on the basis of trust in the Person of Jesus Christ.
By GOD's Grace even I am learning to Trust.
Thank you, Dr. Whitney, for giving me enough points of mental understanding to aid heart trust. :)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews