THE COMPLETE GREEN LETTERS
________________
A Book Review
Presented to
Dr. Dan Burrell
Liberty Theological Seminary
_____________
In partial fulfillment
Of the requirements of DSMN 520
__________
By
Jeremiah Hagler
Student ID: L00074544
September 29, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Summary 2
Critique 6
Personal Application 6
Conclusion 7
Bibliography 8
1
Introduction
Miles J. Stanford’s book, The Complete Green Letters, is a collection of his five best-
known works. The five sections that make up Stanford’s book are: Principles of Spiritual
Growth, Foundations of Spiritual Growth, The Ground of Growth, The Realization of Spiritual
Growth, and A Guide to Spiritual Growth. Each of the five sections are made up of short and to
the point chapters that help build upon the over arching section that they belong to. This reading
report will be over the first two sections of Stanford’s book: Principles of Spiritual Growth and
Foundations of Spiritual Growth. These two sections make up the first twenty-eight chapters of
Stanford’s book. In the first two sections the reader can find a basic understanding of their
identity in Christ and also get a basic understanding of spiritual formation. While there are many
great highlights to Stanford’s book there are also some points that need to be looked into and
discussed deeper. Overall, Stanford’s book shows the reader that if we properly understand our
position in Christ then at that point spiritual growth can occur.
Summary
In the first section of his book, Principles of Spiritual Growth; Stanford takes the reader
through eighteen chapters. These eighteen chapters will set the groundwork for showing what it
required for true and organic spiritual growth. With each chapter Stanford builds upon the idea
he laid out in the chapter prior.
In chapters one and two Stanford deals with Faith & Time. In the first chapter, Faith,
Stanford uses 2 Corinthians 13:5a as its basis and charge. Stanford writes that in order for a
believer to experience authentic spiritual growth, they must first make sure that they are of faith.
The author is quick to point out that faith is not something that can magically be learned but
2
rather something that is innately known and is bases on trust in Jesus Christ. In chapter two
Stanford tackles the idea when it comes to our spiritual growth, God is not in a hurry. When it
comes to time and how it relates to one’s spiritual growth Stanford uses the following quote to
make his point, “When God wants to make an oak he takes a hundred years, but to make a
squash he takes six months.” By this, Stanford is explaining to the read that nothing worthwhile
comes over night.
It is in chapters three and four that Stanford tackles both Acceptance and Purpose. In
these two chapters the reader is faced with the questions whether or not they are truly accepted
by God and on what grounds is God’s acceptance based on. The author is quick to point out the
fact that God’s acceptance is not based on anything we have done but rather on what God has
done already for us. In chapter four Stanford tackles the idea of purpose. It is in this chapter that
he makes the point that unlike our human nature, God’s purpose hasn’t changed since the
beginning of time. With that being said, God’s purpose is for us to have a restored relationship
with Him. It is by the work of Jesus that this relationship is possible.
Stanford uses chapters five through eight to talk about: Preparation, Completeness,
Appropriation, and Identification. It is in these four chapters that Stanford shows the reader that
there is in fact, groundwork, required in order to prepare for spiritual growth to occur. Stanford
explains to the reader that in order to truly seek God where He is, one must be spiritually hungry.
In chapter six Stanford attempts to convey to the reader that we are only truly complete if we
have Christ. Appropriation, the subject of chapter seven, is something that every Christian is
innately provided. Appropriation is the realization that, as a believer, is we have everything we
need in Jesus Christ. In chapter 8 Stanford discusses a topic that has great importance to each and
every believer, Identification. The author points out to the reader that if we ultimately have a
3
hand on understanding who we are in Christ, we will also see that the devil has already been
defeated.
Stanford spends chapters nine through twelve discussing some important topics. He
spends these chapters discussing: Consecration, Self, Self-denial, & The Cross. In chapter nine
Stanford desires to illustrate to the reader that it is not our measly efforts that spurs spiritual
growth, rather it is Gods efforts that sparks our spiritual growth. Self, chapter ten, can be
summed down to the idea that God and the Holy Spirit desire for us to move out of the way and
let the Spirit guide us. In chapter eleven Stanford elaborates on the previous chapter. He explains
to the reader that while we may have many ways of getting our self out of the way, God’s way is
simply to point to the cross. This fact brings us to chapter twelve in which Stanford demonstrates
that it is in fact, here, that it all begins. It is at the cross that all spiritual growth begins.
Stanford wraps up this section with chapters on: Discipleship, Process of Discipleship,
Rest, Help, Cultivation, & Continuance. In chapter thirteen Stanford explains that while
discipleship may be the basis for spiritual growth, it doesn’t come free. When it comes to
discipleship, Stanford writes, Jesus couldn’t have been more serious. The author makes this point
by using the parable of the sower and the seed. Unlike our earthly bodies discipleship, is
something that will surely carry on past our deaths. In chapter fifteen, when Stanford discusses
the idea of rest, he bases his point on Hebrew 4:9-11. God has commanded us to rest in the
knowledge that God has saved us and made us new. The author moves on to chapter sixteen in
which he discusses the topic of help and that we do not have to ask for God has already equipped
us with the skills to defeat the enemy. Stanford spends chapter seventeen explaining that while
we think we can have things off limits to God, nothing is. Lastly, the author wraps up this section
4
with a chapter on continuance. As the author explains, continuance is the idea that we are not
done growing and because of this we must allow room for spiritual growth.
In the second section, Foundations of Spiritual Growth; Stanford attempts to lay out the
groundwork on which all spiritual growth is built on. In part two Stanford switched from simply
talking about one topic to two per chapter.
In chapters nineteen through twenty-one, Stanford talks about: Position Defined &
Illustration, Justification & Assurance, and Reconciliation & Acceptance. It is in these very
chapters that Stanford explains one’s position in Christ. It is because of this position, Stanford
writes, that the reader can drop their old nature and take on the new nature they have in Christ.
When it comes to chapter twenty, Stanford makes it a point to let the reader know that
justification is only possible because of that very position we have in Christ. Our position,
Stanford writes, is sealed. It is sealed by the Spirit and points to our very relationship with Christ.
Completeness & Security, Sanctification & Consecration, and Identification & Growth
are the topics of chapters twenty-two through twenty-four. Stanford continues on from talking
about acceptance of our position in Christ to talk about the fact that believers are secure. They
are secure, as Stanford points out, because they are saved by Christ. In chapter twenty-three, the
author discusses sanctification & consecration. He makes it clear to the reader that these things
are not a point in time but rather a continually on-going process. It is when one truly figures out
who they are in Christ that they can grow, as Stanford points out in chapter twenty-four.
Stanford wraps up part two, Foundations of Spiritual Growth, with chapters on: Sins &
Purged Conscience, Sins & Conscience, Sins & Light, and Sins & Confession. It is in these final
chapters that the author tackles the notion that while we are position in Christ, we must still be in
5
a battle with our flesh. Stanford reminds the reader that one must not try to change circumstances
on their own, rather one is to rely on what God has done and will do. Lastly the author points out
to the reader that in order to have true authentic growth we must freely confess our sins and
failures to God.
Critique
Overall, it is the view of this author that Stanford’s book, The Complete Green Letters, is
a book that every believer should have on their shelf or in their study. One thing that is of great
importance is that Stanford’s book discusses topics that are often overlooked by most Christians
today. In particular our position and identity in Christ is something that this author’s church
talked very little about.
With that being said there is one area that this author feels certainly needs to be
discussed. This area would be, that this author believes should be discussed is the idea that we
don’t even need to go to God for help. While yes, we are saved and therefor free from sin, we
must make sure that we don’t simply stand idle by as the devil has his way. It is the
understanding of this author that Stanford wasn’t making this conclusion. One is simply trying to
explain to the average reader that we need to remember this and thus a little more discussion on
this could have been helpful.
Personal Application
When it comes to apply this material to my life this is something that I am glad to do.
Through this course I have continually been shown areas that I need to work on. For me, one of
the toughest chapters to digest was chapter four. This was tough because it dealt with purpose
6
and this is one area that I was unsure in. Because of Stanford’s book I know what my purpose
and identity is in God and I desire to challenge myself to dig deeper into these areas. Another
area that I hope to apply and work on is self. I need to continually remember that I cannot do it
all on my own and that apart from Christ I am nothing. All in all Stanford’s collective works
challenge me and opened my eyes to many things. This book is one that I will be glad to
recommend to anyone I get the chance to.
Conclusion
The areas and ideas that Stanford discusses are pivotal and thus should be applied to
every believer’s life. By allowing the reader to understand their place (position) and identity in
Christ, true authentic growth is sure to be fostered. This is true as it is only when we understand
our position in God that we can actually have life change. While this author did have a critique it
is one’s opinion that Stanford’s writing should be read by all believers and hopefully then a
conversation will begin within our churches.
7
