In this book, the published version of a sermon series preached in 2008, Thabiti Anyabwile formulates a biblical understanding of spiritual fellowship as “our shared life of spiritual union with Jesus the Son of God” (p. 10). While taking inspiration (as well as the title of his book) from Henry Scougal’s classic The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Anyabwile explores the corporate, relational dimension of union with Christ, an emphasis lacking in Scougal’s book.

The Life of God in the Soul of the Church consists of two main sections. Part 1, “Foundations,” examines 1 John 1 and 1 Cor 12 in order to offer a theological account of what spiritual fellowship is. Anyabwile contends that spiritual fellowship is “the life of God in the soul of man experienced personally by believing the truth shared relationally in the church,” which “leads to joy and holiness” (p. 17). Part 2, “Expressions” (by far the longer of the two sections) explores how spiritual fellowship actually works itself out in the context of a local church. The topics covered include loving one another, spiritual gifts, partnership in the gospel, restoration and encouragement, suffering and comfort, forgiveness, corporate singing, giving, and mutual acceptance.

Anyabwile’s book is an important one for two reasons. First, the word “fellowship” has become a vacuous one in evangelicalism. In standard evangelical language, “to fellowship” means “to chat together after church” or “to eat a meal with another Christian.” Anyabwile recovers the excitement and God-centered profundity of the term. Writing as one who is the pastor of a church with the word “Fellowship” in its name, I am grateful. A second reason for the importance of the book is our largely individualistic Christian culture. Anyabwile’s relentless focus on the corporate nature of the Christian life and his grounding of this nature in the purposes of God are much-needed correctives.

An important strength of the book is that it consists of sermons preached to Anyabwile’s own congregation. The sermons are only lightly edited and Anyabwile makes no attempt to erase the local references, often referring to specific members of First Baptist Grand Cayman and particular situations within the church. I was amused to see one reviewer fault Anyabwile for these references to his own church—presumably the reviewer would similarly fault the Apostle Paul! Far from being a drawback, these references to a specific church context offer readers the opportunity to look over the shoulder of a wise pastor as he addresses his own congregation. We see how Anyabwile addresses non-Christians (often at length) and how he keeps the gospel central in every sermon. I found especially helpful the chapter on corporate singing (which I plan to read and discuss with those who lead worship in song at my church) and the chapter on giving.

I have a few quibbles. The book is not well served by its title. If someone is not familiar with the title of Henry Scougal’s book, the allusion is lost and Anyabwile’s title is difficult to understand (it sounds strange to speak of the “soul” of a church). Most chapters are helpful because they are very practically earthed in the life of a local church. Chapter 11 (which expounds Rom 14–15) would benefit from some concrete examples of indifferent matters. For most Christians the really difficult thing in applying Rom 14–15 is the very basic step of discerning which issues are disputable and which aren’t!

Finally, in 1 Cor 12:25, Paul asserts God’s desire that “the members may have the same care for one another.” Anyabwile takes this to mean, “each and every member is to have fully the same concern, care and love for every other member of the body” (p. 40). He seems to believe this involves each member offering equal practical assistance and emotional support to every other member of the body (p. 42). In addition to being both emotionally and practically impossible, I think this misunderstands 1 Cor 12:25. In context, Paul’s point is that no one in the church should be overlooked or ignored on the basis of spiritual gifting or economic status, not that every relationship in the church must involve equal emotional concern or practical support. Jesus himself did not live that way: he chose only twelve disciples, and within that group he had an inner circle in which he invested particular time and energy. Requiring that “each and every member is to have fully the same concern, care and love for every other member of the body” is a recipe for spiritual burnout and unnecessary guilt. Yes, we are to accept each member of the body and show them love, refusing to deny relationship to any on the basis of perceived inferior gifting or other matters. But it’s okay that we are more emotionally invested in the struggles of our closest Christian friends than those of church members we barely know.

I’m thankful for The Life of God in the Soul of the Church. It has deepened my understanding of spiritual fellowship, and I will use it in my church to help others grow in their understanding and practice of spiritual fellowship, too.