Note: Posting this later than normal since I had to wake up early and teach a Bible study online for a church overseas and was reviewing things for that last night than working on the blog. I realized it is going to be the end of the year! There’s some books I finished for 2020 that I will post review of them next year; didn’t get them rolling out in time!
Jerry Bridges. Who Am I? Identity in Christ. Adelphi, Maryland: Cruciform Press, February 28, 2012. 95 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
What does trusting in Jesus Christ means for your new identity as a Christian? In this book author Jerry Bridges explores the Christian’s new identity biblically. He does this by applying what in systematic theology is called the Order of Salvation to the question of who a believer is. By Order of Salvation I mean what God has done to save believers from their sins and the penalty and power of sin.
The eight chapters in the book were edifying. The first is on the fact that we are creatures made by God. This is foundational for everything else that follows. Chapter two is titled “I am in Christ” which goes over and apply the doctrine of union with Christ. Next is a chapter on the doctrine of justification, a chapter on adoption and a chapter on believers being a new creation. Chapter six then is on believers being saints and chapter seven is on believers being a servant of Christ and what does that mean practically. Finally chapter eight discusses the reality that we are not yet perfect; I thought this was important to balance out chapter five of how we are generate, we can say no to sin.
I really enjoyed this book as I enjoyed other works by the author Jerry Bridges. It is biblically sound, Gospel centered, grace driven and practical. He’s practical in a way that I like: His discussion about biblical doctrines is meant to warm our hearts to have affections and love for God, and that then is motivation for obedience. So while its not always a “how-to” application, it is always an application of loving and worshipping God as the primary motivation to obey God.
The book is easy to understand and I’m glad our youth group is going over it. Chapters are short and great for discussions for those that want to use it in a small group setting. It is also great for personal devotional with it being a chapter a day, though I also thought the book was interesting enough that I read the second half the book in one sitting at night. Edifying and God exalting; I pray those who read this would come to Christ or grow in Christ having seen our identity in Christ is relevant for how we live our life and handling difficulties.
The Domain for Truth 
I agree with everything you have said in this review! I love how Bridges writes/teaches doctrine a way that makes us love God and want to be more like Him as well. From the moment I started this I thought it would be a great book for the youth! I am praying they will be encouraged, strengthen and more confident by reading who they are in Christ!
Man this is so gold: “ Bridges writes/teaches doctrine a way that makes us love God and want to be more like Him as well.” If I can be half like Bridges as a teacher I will be content! Aww thanks for thinking about our youth group when you started reading this, we are indebt to you getting the books for them and going over this together; we be going over chapters 4-6 tomorrow! You staying up for the countdown tonight??
Nathan and I are planning on joining for study tomorrow if that’s ok?! We will probably fall asleep and be woken up right before midnight by our neighbors fireworks. Jimmy, for the first time ever my mom is emotional about leaving. I love her so much! How’s Mrs B?! I thought about emailing her and Nancy but don’t want to intrude! Please let them know I am praying! Will y’all stay up for the countdown?!
Happy New Year, Slim! Don’t work too hard. 🙂
I’ll try and take a break from teaching until next year…🤣
Counting down for New Years tonight?
Thank you for bringing all of these authors to our attention. I would not likely have heard his name otherwise.
I don’t write book reviews but for what it is worth Bridges “Pursuit of Holiness” is one of the greatest books I have ever read! I can send you a copy if you are interested!!!
No need to send it, just mentioning it puts me in a direction I would not have seen was even there. I will look for Bridges’, “Pursuit of Holiness”. Thank you, Mandy!
Jimmy said he has also read and written a review for this book as well on good reads. If you do read it at some point I would love to hear your thoughts!!!! Have a great New Year’s, Frank!!!!!!
I found a copy of Bridges’ Pursuit of Holiness that I can borrow from internet archive. Thank you again for the recommendation!
Fantastic!!!!! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!!!!
Frank I second Mandy’s comment if you ever see a book I review and want to read it I’ll send it to you as a gift! Let me know if I can send this book or another!
Thank you for the offer! However, just knowing about an author that is worth reading is all I need to search for them even if I don’t get the specific book that was reviewed.
” So while its not always a “how-to” application, it is always an application of loving and worshipping God as the primary motivation to obey God.”
It’s always refreshing to read books with that focus.
Howdy brother. Thanks for the great review. i’ve downloaded it and add it to my list.
Blessings for a stunning new year.
Sounds good! Thanks for the review! People are always trying to establish, shape and strengthen their “self-identity” via their race/ethnic connection, politics, career, relationships, fitness regime, hobbies, interests, but nothing beats a believer’s identity in Jesus Christ!
RE: His discussion about biblical doctrines is meant to warm our hearts to have affections and love for God, and that then is motivation for obedience.
I especially appreciated this comment given my IFB background, where guilt and shame were used as the motivators for obedience.
Amen to this: “ but nothing beats a believer’s identity in Jesus Christ!”
I think those with a legalistic background would benefit from reading Jerry Bridges where he constantly teach grace motivates obedience; how is your New Year’s Eve going???
Thanks! We’re over at my wife’s aunt’s for pork roast and sauerkraut dinner, but have to be home early so I can go to bed for work tomorrow.
Happy and Blessed New Year to you and your family! What are your New Year’s Eve plans?
Thanks for this review, Jim! Wish I could read as quickly as you! Whenever I read fast, my literary comprehension goes way down.
I feel the same so I have to take notes but then that slows me down somewhat but in a good way!!! It makes me reflective! So I suppose it evens out lol
Thanks for this reminder, Jim. I have enjoyed many of Jerry Bridges works over the years, while teaching them in discipleship classes. I gleaned more from them by teaching from them than if I read them on my own…class input as you know. Blessings
Dear Jim, thank you for this review. Bridges is one of my favorite authors. In “Disciplines of Grace” he said he had to preach the gospel to himself everyday.
Blessings for you, your family, and your ministry in the new year. 🙂
Thanks for sharing that! Fran May God bless you next year with more opportunities to glorify God and edify believers!
Thank you, Pastor Jim.
Happy New Year Maw Maw!!
:))
Thanks again!😊
Jim, from the details of your review, I can see how this book would make a meaningful contribution during anyone’s daily devotion time.
[…] I am grateful to Jim Lee and Mandy Sweigart-Quinn for calling my attention to Carl R. Trueman and Jerry Bridges. I am grateful to Jenna at revivedwriter for the quote from Fulton […]
This is a good idea for a gift for any Christians of any age
Is this the same Jerry Bridges who wrote the Practice of Godliness? I think I have two copies of that one. But when I saw the title, I thought of my post of last Sunday, Who am I? – a poem by Bonhoeffer in his letters from prison. He ends with “I am Thine.”
Yes it is the same Jerry Bridges!! I need to read your post after I get home from getting a hair cut. I imagine you red that book by Jerry Bridges or other ones by him?
That one and the Pursuit of Holiness. But Pursuit of Holiness is on my radar for a re-read.