The Sinning Saint by Richard and Jeanette Chin

I was leading a Friday afternoon kids club and a nine year old girl bounded up to me. With a cheeky grin on her face and hands on her hips she asked, “does God think I’m awesome?” Just as I was about to say “no, God thinks you’re a sinner”, something (the grace of God!) checked my tongue. Instead, I replied “why do you ask that question?” Her whole demeanour changed, and shame-faced, she asked, “does God still love me, even when I sin?” 

Whether we’re nine or ninety-nine, we all have the same questions, don’t we? This is why The Sinning Saint is such a helpful book. Based on Richard Chin’s talks at university conferences, the central question of the book is how can sinners stand before a holy God? Richard and Jeanette take us through God’s holiness and our sin, bringing us to the only solution: the cross. The rest of the book then explores life as saved, sanctified people - saints - who still sin.

I appreciated the practical suggestions to fight sin in my life by ‘putting on the whole armour of God’. They reminded me of the power of memorising Scripture, so that God’s word is available in everyday moments. I was inspired by Jeanette to pray through the ‘Bible alphabet’ one night (or rather, very early one morning) when woken by a small child and unable to fall back asleep (if this makes no sense to you, read the book; page 147).

My husband and I both read this book and were encouraged and challenged. We would recommend it to everyone. It’s the rare book that we would give to both the new Christian and the mature believer; the language is clear, simple and accessible, yet the theology is deep and rich! The Sinning Saint is a foundational book for any Christian’s bookshelf.

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Reviewed by Leah Blake

Leah Blake serves alongside her husband Pete at a church in Normanhurst in Sydney’s north. On the EQUIP team, she has the pleasure of reading Christian books to help select the top ten list.