Focusing Within Book Reviews

Focusing Within by Gerhard Tersteegen, Portaïtissa Convent & Guram Kochi Book Summary

This book contains a small selection of the letters of the German Protestant mystic and poet Gerhard Tersteegen (1697 - 1769) to his followers. Tersteegen was a representative of the pietism movement, or rather, one of its directions, the so-called "quiet in the land", according to the psalmist: "For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land." (Ps. 35:20, KJV)

In the book "Great Saints" by Walter Nigg, Associate Professor at the University of Zurich (Plugsma Publishers, Amsterdam, 1958), Tersteegen is called "a saint of Protestantism" and is ranked among such great saints as Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.

The letters are selected on the following topics, which are vital to every Christian:

I. Overview of the inner Christian Life. II. On the receptive Acceptance of the Grace of God. III. On Prayer and inner Work. IV. About God's Peace. V. About the Childlikeness in Christ. VI. On the Struggle against Sin. Spiritual Warfare. VII. On the Cross and Suffering. VIII. About the Life of God in us. IX. On the Church and Church Life. 

Tersteegen offers a way of direct appeal to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains what are the rules and stages of this way and how a Christian can follow it in his everyday life, even without changing anything outwardly. The main thing on this way is a passive, "accepting" attitude in the matter of saving the soul: namely, salvation comes only from God, not from the person himself, and you need to learn not to hinder God's work of saving you. These tips can especially help those who have already experienced spiritual insights and pray God to give them to them daily: "Give us this day our life-sustaining bread." (Mt. 6:11). 

Guram Kochi and Marijcke Tooneman, translators

The Hague, May 2023

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