What is this book about?
Dr. Carla Sunberg, General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, reminds us that “new creation requires new living” (page 133). That single phrase captures the heart of this book. The Christian life is not simply about believing different things, it is about becoming different people. Dr. Sunberg shows that discipleship is a journey of formation, where the Spirit shapes us through the process of sanctification. She converses with the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, predominantly the opening sections on ‘The Christian Life’ (paras. 28-29), whilst engaging Scripture, theology and practical application to unpack holiness, relationships, attitudes, and practices that reflect Christ. This is not a dry study of rules but a vision for life in Christ – a call to live as those who have been made new. It is practical, challenging, and full of hope.
Who is this book for?
This book is written with Nazarenes in mind, grounding its teaching in our Manual and tradition. But it is not limited to us. Anyone who wants to explore what a transformed life in Christ might look like will find wisdom here. Largely due to her sound engagement with Scripture and the breadth of theology across the ages of the Church, Dr. Sunberg writes in a way that is accessible across traditions, always pointing readers back to Christlikeness. Each chapter ends with reflection questions, making it ideal for both personal devotion and group discussion. It could work just as well in a small group setting as in a discipleship class or for private reading and prayer. In short, it’s a resource for anyone serious about living out their faith day by day.
How long is it?
At 159 pages, this is a very readable book. It’s split into 16 short chapters that you can work through without feeling overwhelmed. Dr. Sunberg structures it around the two big movements of the Manual paragraphs referenced: “We are called to…” and “We are called from…”. That framework gives a clear rhythm to the book, helping the reader see that the Christian life is both a positive calling and a turning away. Each chapter stands on its own but also builds into a larger whole, offering both theological depth and practical guidance. The brevity, clarity, and structure mean this book can be picked up easily and worked through in a steady, prayerful way.
My own reflection
As a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for sixteen years, I must admit it has been far too long since I engaged meaningfully with these sections of the Manual. Like many, I often reach for it only during AGM or Assembly season, treating it more as a reference for structure and polity than as a guide for Christian living. For that reason, I am deeply grateful for Dr. Sunberg’s work. Writing on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents (and introduced by a foreword from Dr. David Busic, which is also worth reading), she has helped me rediscover parts of our tradition that had become too familiar and too easily overlooked.
This book reminded me of the Church I first fell in love with as a teenager, when my broken and dysfunctional family was welcomed into a new community (chapter 1) and encountered reconciling love (chapter 2) in a way that was truly life-changing. These opening chapters set the tone beautifully, laying a foundation of grace and belonging before moving into more nuanced sections that require careful application across our diverse global church. As I read further, I became aware of the complexity of some of these issues – and at times, I even found myself in tension with certain sections. That is precisely why the reflection questions at the end of each chapter are so valuable: they invite us to wrestle honestly with the Manual’s guidance rather than simply accept it at face value. Some readers may be disappointed that the book stops where it does, avoiding the potentially more divisive issues addressed in later paragraphs. Personally, I did not feel short-changed. If we Nazarenes could truly recommit to the vision of holiness and discipleship presented in these early chapters, I believe we would be better equipped to face those harder conversations together.
One of the strengths of Sunberg’s approach is the way she weaves together Scripture with the breadth of Christian theology across history. She draws on the voices of the early church Fathers and Mothers, medieval theologians, and modern thinkers – both within and beyond our own tradition. The urgency of this work struck me most powerfully when she echoed the warning of Dietrich Bonhoeffer against “cheap grace” – grace without discipleship, without sacrifice, without transformation. His words, quoted at length in the book (page 16) are a sobering reminder of the cost of failing to take holiness seriously.
From where I stand today, in a cultural moment where extreme political ideologies are pulling the Church apart and tempting us to equate the gospel with partisan agendas (a danger our Manual itself cautions against, as Sunberg highlights in chapter 15), Bonhoeffer’s warning could not be more timely. The mistakes of history are closer than we think, and this book challenges us to return again to the costly, and Nazarene(?), transforming grace of Christ.
If you enjoyed this book, you might like…
- Michael Lodahl – ‘The Story of God: A Narrative Theology’
Offers a rich Wesleyan-holiness framework, connecting theology and daily Christian living. - Diane Leclerc & Mark Maddix – ‘A Wesleyan Theology of the Christian Life’
Explores sanctification and spiritual formation through the lens of Wesleyan thought. - Richard Foster – ‘Celebration of Discipline’
A practical and well-loved classic on the disciplines that shape Christian living.
