Watchman Nee was a force of nature.
He was among the most gifted and insightful Christians in the 20th century. And he was light-years ahead of so many contemporary Christian authors and leaders, including scholars.
Yet today, most Christians under 40 have never heard of him, let alone read him.
The following 9 books shaped my life during my early 20s.
As far as Nee is concerned, they are the finest of the wheat.
The Character of God’s Workman
The Normal Christian Church Life
Against the Tide (The Biography of Watchman Nee)
My Titles
Just wondering if you had any thoughts on Witness Lee and/or the “Local Church”?
Lee’s written and spoken ministry from 1962 to 1070 was seminal. Many of the people in his movement are precious. No comment beyond that.
Thanks, Frank. You answered about how I expected. Could you define or clarify what you mean by “seminal”? And clarify the second date you give? Finally, would you recommend reading any of Witness Lee’s books? If so, which ones?
The stuff in Lee’s early stuff can be found in the writings of others who are better writers in more up-to-date formats. Time is not a renewable resource. Consequently, I recommend these books for your time: http://frankviola.org/top100
If you’re new to the blog, here are the blog archives in one place plus many new articles never published before anywhere: http://frankviola.org/rethinkingseries – just fyi given your interest in deeper life themes.
I appreciate the energy you put into serving the Lord by your posts. However I look in vain for a balanced journey. My journey has been also through Protestantism most of my life, but finding the Church in a form more nearly matching its original form has grabbed me and kept me spiritually engaged. Is Orthodox Christianity part of your experience, or do you have reason to reject it?
I find the EO strikingly similar to the RCC. Have you read Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church yet? Those books will give you both my view and experience of church that’s neither Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant. But an expression that’s rooted in New Testament revelation and experience. http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org
I read “Sit, Walk, Stand”, “Let Us Pray”, and parts of “The Normal Christian Life” a few years back, but recently been blessed by the wisdom in Nee’s book on “The Spiritual Man”, and “The Character of God’s Workman”.
I’d like to find some more of the work Nee did with T. Austin-Sparks.
Thanks for sharing Frank!
Joshua
Joshua – I’m going through Nee’s Spiritual Man right now – I love it! Very deep and so convicting. I wasn’t aware that T. Austin-Sparks and Nee did some things together. What have you read of their combined work that you would recommend? Thanks!
Get Nee’s box set. It’s in Against the Tide. http://frankviola.org/watchmannee – these other books are better than Spiritual Man. He wrote the latter when he was still in his 20s and thought it had flaws. Also explained in Against the Tide.
Frank –
I love that you have Watchman Nee books listed here. He has some great works, and you’re right, he definitely was ahead of his time in his writings. The depth of his writing and insight is profound. The Normal Christian Life is my favorite. I recently re-read it and I determined it was one of those that needs to be revisited often.
Thanks for your ministry and writings as well. I’ve been blessed by them. i can definitely see some influences of Nee in your writings and even some of your podcasts. Good to hear! 🙂
I’m grateful that you’ve mentioned Watchman Nee as one of the people who inspired you Frank. But, I’m slightly mystified that you didn’t mention his books “Spiritual Authority” & “Spiritual Man”. These were the two books of his that touched my life the most. Have you read them? Just wondering brother.
I read his books in a year when I was about 29. God had primed me to be hungry. They had the same effect on me.
It was at least 20 books. It was not my intention, I was just that much in need.
Another great W Née book is The Normal Christian Worker. Basic & practical guidance for character development of a believer. Sadly, it’s been out of print for quite a while.
It’s also called THE CHARACTER OF GOD’S WORKMAN and it’s in print and available at http://frankviola.org/top100