The Heart Of Christ

Mid-levelBusy pastorsStrong recommendation
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Puritans

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.3/10

A tender, substantial work that helps us know Christ’s merciful heart without weakening holiness.

Publication Date(s): 2021
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9781800402119
Devotional Richness: 9/10
We find deep devotional warmth that draws the heart toward Christ with reverence and trust.
Theological Clarity: 8.3/10
We are given clear teaching that keeps comfort grounded in Christ’s priestly work and covenant mercy.
Helpfulness for Preaching: 8/10
We gain pastoral help for preaching and counselling, especially for those crushed by guilt and fear.
Faithfulness to Scripture: 7.9/10
We see Scripture handled carefully, with reasoning that stays focused on the text’s aims.
Depth and Challenge: 8.6/10
We are challenged to come honestly to Christ, refusing both presumption and despair.
Overall Value: 7.9/10
We find it accessible with patient reading, and especially fruitful when read slowly and prayerfully.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
176 pages
Type
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.3 / 10
Strength
Strong comfort for weary believers, anchored in careful Scriptural reasoning about Christ.
Limitation
Its careful argument can feel slow at points, so it rewards unhurried reading.

We read this as a focused meditation on Christ’s disposition toward His people, especially when they feel weak, sinful, and weary.

Goodwin’s aim is not sentiment. He wants us to know Christ truly, and to draw near with confidence and repentance.

Why Should We Read This Resource?

We are helped by the way Goodwin holds together holiness and tenderness. He does not minimise sin, yet he keeps pressing us to see that Christ’s mercy is not reluctant.

We also benefit from his careful reasoning. The book repeatedly asks us to consider what Scripture teaches about Christ’s priestly heart, and how that changes our prayer, our assurance, and our endurance.

For pastors, this is useful for counselling, and for preaching that aims at both conviction and comfort. We are given help in speaking to those who assume Christ must surely be tired of them.

Closing Recommendation

We strongly commend this as a rich and tender guide for cultivating confident, humble communion with Christ.


Where to buy
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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Commentary

Puritans

Bible Atlas

Reviewed by

An Expositor