A Review of “Feelings and Faith” by Brian S. Borgman

It’s not uncommon for us to add adjectives to our emotions as a means of qualifying just how powerful they are. We say things like, “blinding rage,” or “consuming grief,” or “crazy love.” The adjectives depict an emotional state that can’t be controlled, can’t be managed. Our emotions can overwhelm us. It is of paramount importance then that we as Christians think carefully and Biblically about our emotions. This is not a common area of reflection, but Brian Borgman does an excellent job of introducing us to this subject and navigating us through its many complex tensions. Feelings and Faith is a tremendously useful tool for cultivating godly emotions in the Christian life.

When most theologians think of and discuss biblical anthropology the realm of the emotions is regularly overlooked. For example, Anthony Hokema’s respected work, Created in God’s Image, says almost nothing about our emotions. Other Christians and theological works tend to follow suit, leaving the emotions practically untouched. This trend is owing largely to a misconception among theologians about the emotions. Many, borrowing from Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, have argued that the emotions are “contrary to reason and all rational principles, thus they are contrary to all that is desirable and good.” We ought, then to ignore the emotions, treat them more like a nuisances. Borgman writes:

Others have not gone that far but do teach that the emotions are irrelevant and unnecessary. What matters is not feeling but believing or doing. The emotions are there, but they are like in-laws who have overstayed their welcome; they are a nuisance and best if ignored. (24)

But we cannot sweep our emotions so quickly under the rug, argues Borgman. After all God created our emotions and intended them to serve us. This one of the major premises of the book: God created our emotions. When accompanied with the second major premise (sin has damaged our emotions) we begin to develop a genuinely biblical perspective on our feelings.

Since sin has damaged our emotions we realize of course that we cannot trust them as completely reliable guides. If we should not ignore our emotions neither, then, should we be ruled by them. As Borgman unpacks these two key ideas he helps us to rethink our entire view of the emotional life of a believer. He argues that not only are we commanded in Scripture to feel certain things, but we can fight against ungodly emotions and cultivate godly ones in their place.

The book is broken down into four parts. The first two parts are theological and foundational for the last two parts. Part one focuses on the Biblical and theological foundations for understanding the emotions. Here Borgman points to the Creator as the fountain and source of our emotions. God expresses emotions throughout the Bible and since He has created us in His image we too have the capacity for emotions. The Bible, then, is replete with commands for Christians to feel certain ways. Sin, of course, has damaged our emotional life and we are, therefore, dependent on the redemptive work of Christ to be able to cultivate godly emotions and to fight against sinful ones.

Part two sets the theological foundations for a Biblical sanctification of our emotional life. Here the author talks about the need to submit even our emotional life to the authority of God’s Word. He points out that the reality that our emotions are hard to control does not let us off the hook in dealing with them. We are required, according to God to respond in certain ways, and that can only begin as we submit to His authority. We must recognize that God’s Word is right and our emotions can be wrong. Chapter six introduces us to a “Sound theology of Christian experience.” Borgman is quick to point out that our experiences are not irrelevant, nor need the clash with devotion to obedience. It is important, however, that we view experience rightly. This was a chapter where much more needed to be said, the five pages covering this topic were not nearly sufficient.

Parts three and four round-out the book by focusing on specific practices to help “mortify ungodly emotions” (part 3) and “cultivate godly emotions” (part 4). He focuses on specific emotional responses in part three, addressing anger, bitterness, anxiety, and depression. He then turns to specific spiritual disciplines and how the aim to shape our emotional life, in part four.

The book has much to offer that is helpful. Parts one and two are more particularly helpful in setting a foundation for a more comprehensive Christian anthropology. The failure to consider the nature, power, and role of the emotions in the life of the believer have led to much reductionist discipleship in the church, and much frustrated counseling. While many pastors and theologians are right to worry about believers being ruled by their feelings, they have over-corrected by completely downplaying them. Our emotions matters. Borgman makes a great case both for the importance of our feelings and for the possibility of emotional sanctification. Our feelings can and should be brought into submission to God’s Word, and as they are we will find that we are increasingly able to feel how God desires us to feel.

Some minor criticisms limit my praise of this otherwise helpful book. I wish some aspects of the book had been better developed – there are numerous chapters that were way too short. In addition, if you read Christian books long enough you will find the same dozen quotes mentioned over and over and over again. Borgman gives in to using these same quotes repeatedly. He utilizes the same famous quotes from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Piper, and C.S. Lewis that many of us have grown tired of. They pop up every few pages and add nothing new to the conversation. These are minor criticisms, perhaps even more personal preferences that legitimate deficiencies in the book. There is much to praise, however, and Christians of all kind will benefit from considering afresh the role, importance, and sanctification of their emotional life. Feelings and Faith offers a fresh perspective on this important subject.