Bridges, Jerry, Jay Howver, and Jen Howver. The Chase: Pursuing Holiness in Your Everyday Life. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2003. 118 pp. $9.99.
Many people will recognize the 1978 Christian classic The Pursuit of Holiness written by Jerry Bridges. Fewer will recognize its successor The Chase: Pursuing Holiness in Your Everyday Life. In 2003, with the help of Jay and Jen Howver, The Pursuit of Holiness was adapted to reach a “new generation” (preface). The result, The Chase, is not likely to generate the fervor that the original book did.
The Chase takes the reader through sixteen short chapters, covering issues pertaining to personal holiness. Rightly, the book does not offer any quick fixes or easy solutions. It does reveal, however, a somewhat practical approach to God’s plan of sanctification for those He has redeemed.
The Chase is a fascinating book for a number of reasons. One fascinating aspect of the book is that holiness, as is defined by many within the church, typically divides generations instead of uniting them, yet in this book, you will find an older generation communicating the principles of holiness to a newer generation. It actually paints a beautiful picture of what the church should be. Older generations should be investing themselves into the younger generations as they each pursue holiness.
Another fascinating aspect of the book is the use of Eugene Peterson’s The Message as biblical reference. While I agree with the idea of using relevant language to communicate with the intended audience, I am not convinced that the typical student would respond well to Peterson’s adaptation of God’s word. In both the biblical quotes and the overall writing style of the book there seems to be a short fall in communicating with students in a way that does not insult their intelligence. This example of James 1.15, quoted from the English Standard Version, provides generous animation is its language. “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1.15). Compare that to the same passage quoted from The Message. “Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer” (James 1.15). Was the English Standard Version any more difficult to understand? Does “lust gets pregnant,” add to the understanding or the acceptance of the verse? The answer is no.
Another example of the peculiar use of The Message occurs in chapter 10. While attempting to show how God actually intervenes and supports us in our effort to pursue holiness, the authors use this less-than-helpful passage from The Message. “No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long. Soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces” (Proverbs 24.16). One can only assume that this passage was intending to address the same issue as those verses around it. However, at least in this translation, it does not. To say that those who are loyal to God “don’t stay down long” is significantly different from saying that God’s Spirit will help you in your quest for holiness. The truth is that God provides us with the ability to honor Him. This is believed to be is the point the authors seek to make. However, to say, “God-loyal people don’t stay down long” does not rightly credit God for the glorious work that He and He alone does to enable us to be holy. The authors’ point that people bear responsibility in the process as well is not lost, but God enables the person to complete the work.
Although not explicitly indicated, The Chase is likely to be targeting the teenage audience. The casual writing style was inevitably intentional to serve this purpose but certainly not effective in communicating with many collegiate students.
Is this fascination with The Chase only negative; certainly not. There are many valuable aspects to this book.
There is a powerful idea in the first chapter. “Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. It’s easy to worry more about our ‘victory’ over sin than about the fact that our sins grieve God’s heart” (17). The Chase is quite clear that victory comes as a “by-product of obedience” (18). For one to seek to be obedient to God for His glory, generates the changes necessary for victory over sin. To claim success over sin apart from the work of God in ones life is foolishness.
Another benefit found in the pages of The Chase is the emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit as it pertains to our personal holiness. The work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is a much-neglected asset in the church today. As a key element in the pursuit of holiness, one must acknowledge and seek to understand Holy Spirit. The Chase does a good job in providing this emphasis while not depleting man’s own responsibility in the matter. “If we confuse the potential for resisting sin (which God provides) with the responsibility for resisting sin (which is our job), we invite sin into our lives” (56).
Finally, let us not forget the benefits of holiness. The authors of The Chase say, “Obedience is linked to joy” (113). The apostle John believes that Jesus agrees, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature” (John 15:11). What exactly has Jesus told us? He said, “Keep my commandments” (John 15:10).
The Chase leaves us with this encouragement. “God gives us everything we need to complete this chase after holiness” (114). The authors go on to provide details as to how God does this. This list includes our salvation, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, other believers, and prayer.
Once clear that God has done all necessary for us to achieve holiness and the joy that comes with it, The Chase gives one last challenge. “Will you obey God’s commands” (114)? The authors rightly leave the question with the reader. Will you pursue holiness? Will you chase after righteousness?
The Chase should be valued for its challenge to the believer to live as God commands. However, it is likely that the challenge would be more readily accepted if the authors chose to eliminate trendy language from the text.
If you have read Bridges’ original book The Pursuit of Holiness, you need not read The Chase. If you have not read The Pursuit of Holiness, you still need not read The Chase. The time would be better spent in The Pursuit of Holiness.
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