Book Review - Abandoned to God
I have to admit: Only a few years ago I was quite convinced that Oswald Chambers simply could not be worth reading. I had first heard of the man through the context of a sudden rush of interest that seemed to be spearheaded by the Christian music industry. Several Christian artists banded together to record an album and the devotional classic My Utmost For His Highest was packaged with it. I assumed, somewhat unfairly, that if he garnered this amount of interest from Christian musicians there must be something wrong with him. I am ashamed to admit this today.
In the last few years I have come to develop an appreciation for the life and ministry of Oswald Chambers. I still know only very little about the man but have come to see an almost prophetic aspect to his writing. Much of what he wrote almost 100 years ago seems as relevant today as it was then. There were some strange and even unbiblical aspects to his ministry, but what shines most clearly about Chambers’ life is his all-out devotion to Christ. He knew the Savior deeply and profoundly and sought to submit his life entirely to the Lord.
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was born in Scotland, where he also spent most of his youth. He was a gifted artist and intended to follow that path in life until, at age 22, he felt called into the ministry. He studied (and later taught) at a small seminary in Dunoon and, upon graduation, teached and preached in Britain, America and Japan. In 1910 he married Gertrude Hobb, whom he affectionately called “Biddy,” and soon after opened a Bible College. When war engulfed the world, Chambers left the comforts of home and left for Egypt to be chaplain to British troops stationed there. His life and ministry were cut short when, in 1917, he died from complications following surgery to remove his appendix. Biddy continued his ministry in Egypt and, after the war ended, returned to England and began to publish his words which she had often transcribed from sermons, lectures and talks. This amounted to near 30 books, the most famous of which is My Utmost For His Hightest. Oswald Chambers, while appreciated in his day, has become widely known to evangelicals through the labors of his wife.
Abandoned to God is a biography of Chambers written by David McCasland who also authored, Pure Gold, a biography of Eric Liddell I recently reviewed. He is an excellent biographer who is able to major on the majors, focusing on the most important aspects of his subject’s life. As often as possible he allows the man to speak for himself and he quotes continually from the writing and correspondance left by Chambers. He seems to present, as nearly as we could hope, Oswald as he truly was.
It has been several years since I first heard the name of Oswald Chambers. I am now glad to know that his writing has experienced a resurgence, especially in the form of My Utmost For His Highest which is still available in any Christian bookstore. A new generation deserves to be able to know the name of Chambers and to benefit from the example he left us of a man who gave all he had to His Savior. Abandoned to God is a well-written, thoroughly-researched and stirring biography and one I am glad to recommend to you.
Comments (9) »
1. Jon Clayton
January 19, 2006
8:42 AM
I have been appreciative of the body of work left behind by Oswald Chambers for some years. The biography is excellent. Might I suggest a book by OC that I am currently reading “Conformed To His Image/The Servant As His Lord.” Enjoy the blog. Thanks!
2. Jim
January 19, 2006
10:37 AM
‘Abandoned to God’ was an inspirational read and very convicting. Oswald definitely had his pulse on the heart of God.
It is interesting to see that the issues really don’t change much over time, we are fighting a war that has been going on for centuries and the tactics of the enemy have not changed.
I truly think any man of God who is in touch with the Spirit of God will write from an eternal perspective and his words will live on long after he has departed.
3. David Chalkley
January 19, 2006
1:09 PM
Tim, thank you for this review. I first bought this book in October, 1993, and it very profoundly helped and benefitted me. I later bought and gave 125 ? or more copies to others I knew or met (and I have no relation at all to the author or publisher, nor to O.C.). After Scripture (which is not comparable with any other book), Abandoned to God is one of the 3 or 4 most important books I have had in my life (I’m 53). For a long while I could speak about many details in the biography for 2 or 3 hours without a copy of the book in my hand. Tim, I agree with all your details in this review, all the things you wrote here. Two of your comments (cold feet after the musicians and disagreement with details of Oswald) I agree with, and also all the other things you wrote. The meaning of Biddy’s name is not in the book: I once asked the author, David McCasland, “What did Biddy stand for?” I knew they were the letters B.D., and I suspected they were the French words “belle dame” meaning “beautiful woman.” No, McCasland told me, B.D. stood for “Beloved Disciple,” Oswald’s name for her when he knew her long before thought of marriage. If I weren’t so poor, I’d likely give 500 or more copies to others, so richly valuable it is. I’m very glad that you read this and also by your review made many others aware of this valuable book.
4. David Chalkley
January 19, 2006
1:19 PM
Tim, a few more comments. Biddy, had a goal to be the personal secretary to the Prime Minister, and she practiced and honed her stenography and typing to be one of the very best there were. When she married Oswald, she transcribed verbatim every message or sermon he spoke while they were together, a mountain of his addresses. Really I have long thought the book is as much about her as about O.C. Once more, your review of this book was excellent (and I don’t agree with all you say on your site: I seriously — not lightly — say that I agree with every detail you wrote here in your review). I mustn’t write more now, else I’ll fill up pages about this book.
5. Sled Dog
January 19, 2006
1:21 PM
The primary tool of my devotional life is the Bible, but I really do appreciate “My Utmost”. It often feels like having an older, wiser counselor around to offer a bit wider perspective on matters. I have been greatly influenced by his thoughts about the true purpose of suffering in our lives. His writing for Novemember 5th, called “Partakers of His Sufferings” is oft quoted while counseling individuals in the midst of trials and tribulations.
Thanks for the review. I’ll want to give ABANDONED TO GOD” a look!
6. Tim Challies
January 19, 2006
5:24 PM
Dave,
McCasland seems to say in the book that there was no real reason that Biddy got assigned that particular nickname. He certainly doesn’t suggest that there was any deeper meaning to it…
7. David Chalkley
January 19, 2006
8:24 PM
Tim, my memory is rusty, as this was 12 years or so ago. I thought that McCasland wrote in the biography that her name was based on the letters B.D., but you are right. On the second page of Chapter 12 (page 140 in my copy), the author wrote, “For reasons unknown, he decided on Biddy, a friendly name with none of its current negative connotations.” Chambers was so important to me, or — rather — the truths the Lord showed me by his life and ministry. Now I think I must have probed the name in my mind and inferred that the name “Biddy” was based on B.D. (Chambers named others in his circle such personal names.) As long ago as this has been, 1994, I think, I do remember asking David McCasland about this name: he agreed that Biddy was based on the 2 letters B.D., but he said that the letters stood not for the French “belle dame” that I had guessed, but for “Beloved Disciple.” His answer to me conveyed certainty in his mind. I am nearly certain he told me this. Why he wrote in the biography “for reasons unknown,” I don’t know: possibly he learned this detail later (he continued to know Oswald and Biddy’s only child, Kathleen, for 2 or 3 years after the book was published, and he may have learned this detail later from Kathleen Chambers after the book was published and before she died. I don’t know. I can say that McCasland is very sharp and thoroughly trustworthy.
May I add that I am very like-minded to J. C. Ryle, Horatius Bonar, Spurgeon, and ones like them. I have sensed that Oswald Chambers had differences, and I noticed specifically 1 thing he did in the book that disturbed me, but — as you wrote in your review — his life and ministry glowed Jesus Christ and His truth. As I wrote in several copies I gave to others, This book is a gold-mine scattered (or, rather, stuffed) with big chunks of gold.
I am grateful that you read and reviewed it.
8. autodidacticus
January 23, 2006
6:49 AM
Thanks for the great review. Might I encourage you to read Chamber’s book on Christian Ethics—short in comparison with others), but definitely to the point!
9. Robert Fairman
August 28, 2006
10:49 PM
I have read My Utmost for His Highest almost every day for the last 25 years since I first yielded my life to the Lord and my blessed Grandmother gave me the devotional. I am currently working through his complete works. Only now am I beginning to understand the theological seriousness of views of sanctification. As a Presbyterian, Church of Chirst,Pentocostal, Baptist, I understand salvation by Grace however the “process” of sanctification is generally quite vague ie a process of trying harder to be holy -Wrong - Chambers talks about the Death Side - presenting your naked self to God with no conditions - the Life Side - of God’s sovereign gift to me of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, with an instantaneous recognition of this truth. Holiness, rather than something to be grasped at, is accepted by faith ie. first we hunger for it, then he imparts intimate knowledge of himself, we identify with Him in oneness with the Father in the Atonement, we learn to Abide as we walk in the light, and he Manifests his true life in and with and through us. Chambers talks of the difference between individuality and personality. One is all arms and elbows, the other merges and yet becomes distinct. I have learned how important the question is Must a Christian Sin?- the answer has to be no! Will he? It depends, or I don’t know. I know the ideas of entire sancitfication and sinless perfection are difficult issues - maybe we just need to clearly define terms - sanctifcation - fitness for intended purpose? A prostitute can be “Sanctified” for her unholy purpose on the Pagan Alter. We as a Holy Priesthood are “Sanctified” for a Sacred purpose. It’s not about “our” whiteness but His which becomes ours together with Him. It’s about our obedience to the light as God gives it to us. Let’s stop catering to the flesh with the drival about “of course I’m not perfect” - no more excuses. Ephesians says that the fruit of the spirit is in all righteousness, goodness, and truth. Christ in you the hope of glory. We are free in Christ - keeping the law doesn’t work - Romans 7 Galatians 5 - We are in the Spirit - if we have the Spirt - let’s therefore walk in the Spirit - let us let go of the carnal mind - which is enmity with God and cannot please God - we could not do what we wanted to do because of the weakness of the flesh and the body of sin - let’s instead exercise the Mind of Christ by faith - like Paul - he was not a Carnal Chistian!! - his illustrations to this delimna were - before Christ!! Unity - Oneness - why do we believe Sin still separates - do I have to know sin to the depths to be forgiven - or can I confess my sin and trust in his faithfulnes to cleanse me from ALL unrigthteousness. God says I can enter the Holy of Holies. We are there now- if I weren’t holy in Christ - I would burn now. Let’s stop being weak/pathetic/crippled beings and walk as children of the light - hold our heads up high as the redeemed of the world - bought with a price - and made worthy by the blood. I am my father’s child. Remember who you are!!