A Look at a Book
by Irene Gilsenan

BOOK REVIEW:
The Law of Faith
by Norman Grubb

Early in his book The Law of Faith, Norman Grubb writes of his own faith journey, “All that was needed was a firmer grasp of method, and, above all, those special sorts of circumstances in which living faith through all history has thrived, those necessary conditions for its healthy growth—difficulties, frustrations impossibilities….” If, in your faith walk, you too need a firmer grasp of method and perhaps are already experiencing some of those “difficulties, frustrations, impossibilities,” then this is the book for you. The Law of Faith is really a step-by-step guide for everyone who wants some practical help in understanding more about a life of faith, and in applying that understanding to their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Having given a brief personal account of his own experiences in faith, Norman takes his readers back to basics by defining what faith really is and shows how it is a natural Godgiven faculty which can operate as simply in the things of heaven as in the things of earth.

Before guiding us on this faith journey, however, Norman takes us through some necessary pre-requisite steps. In his words, “It seems that God’s Spirit has to take every forwardmoving soul through a drastic process of self-exposure. That undiscovered self-principle lurking in the depths, that root of sin, has to be looked in the face.” He demonstrates the necessity for this in the lives of several Biblical “greats,” such as Moses, David, Peter, etc. who had to come to the end of themselves. Only then were they totally available for God to live out His saving purposes through them. Having recently confessed and turned from areas of sin that held me bound for many years, I can reiterate with Norman, “Thank God He is jealous as well as patient. He will be Lord of all or not Lord at all.”

Once the root of sin has been dealt with, we are now in a position to take hold of some of the principles of Biblical faith as outlined by Norman. He begins by urging us to believe the truth for ourselves because, as he says, “A faith that works in our own lives can then, and only then be applied to the problems around us.” We are reminded of the call to “be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” and of the fact that it is now Jesus Christ living His life though us (Gal. 2:20). Norman recognises with us that it feels like a hollow sham to say He now lives in us. As the battle of faith begins, we are encouraged to deliberately transfer our faith from believing in the visible to believing in God’s spoken word. Although the battle is strong, we are led on with encouragements such as,“We must not flutter around, and hope, and hesitate, and pray. We must do it.” Faith, we are told, is “not the banishing of all difficulties, but their subordination to greater certainties.”

As Norman outlines the stages of faith—little faith, great faith and perfect faith—he urges us to be honest, not pretending we have faith we do not have, since God cannot respond to dishonesty. Yet if we continue on and are not “bluffed into a surrender,” we are assured that faith will win out. “ To give up is faith’s unforgivable sin.”

There are many riches in this book for any who wish to move from the early stumbling of the “school of faith” to the mature walk of the “life of faith.” Strategy is a key element in any warfare and, using the example of Jehoshaphat and others, Norman gives us a strategy of faith for life’s battles. He tackles the often tricky subjects of temptation, clear guidance and harmonious relationships.

Norman also reminds us that there is a price to be paid for this life in the Spirit, which produces a fruitbearing faith. We are told that “The Spirit that took the Saviour to Calvary—must drive me out of self-pleasing into selfgiving, out of indulgence into sacrifice, out of security into service, out of care of myself into concern for others.” In return for giving up our petty, self-centred ways, God promises to use us for His redeeming purposes in the lives of those around us. In Norman’s words we are “such as we can be, not merely inheritors of eternal life, but transmitters of it.” We find ourselves joining the ranks of those who have a contribution to make to the world.

Wherever you are in the school or life of faith, this book is certain to shed some new light that will inspire and guide you as you move on to greater exploits of faith.