With All Your Heart

In the fields of practical theology and biblical counseling, there are many books that have brought attention to the importance the heart plays in daily life; however, in his new book, With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ,  A. Craig Troxel provides a refreshing and comprehensive examination of this topic that promises to both equip pastors in their ministerial charges and Christians in their personal journeys towards spiritual growth and maturity.

As noted early in this volume, the author’s purpose is to highlight “that the word ‘heart’ is the most important word in the Bible to describe who you are within” (page 6). In pursuing this goal, Troxel does not only seek to paint a helpful picture on how the heart responds and reacts to life’s circumstances. He focuses his attention upon what makes up the diverse, yet interrelated, facets of the heart and why disciples of Jesus should rejoice when the heart properly functions and, in turn, be concerned about the ways the heart can become compromised (page 99).

Troxel pulls from the rich historical writings of several Protestant Reformers and Puritan theologians. What Troxel identifies as the “threefold scheme of the heart,” which includes the mind, desires, and will, is derived from this rich historical tradition (pages 20-21). From cover to cover, the author demonstrates a familiar and deep knowledge of these time-tested traditions as he offers words and counsel from the past that add colorful, pastoral, and relatable comments on the nature and work of the heart in real life.

None of this detracts, however, from the fact that With All Your Heart is essentially a biblical theology on the topic. Troxel’s in-depth and thorough study is evidenced through direct or indirect references from thirty-four books of the Old Testament and twenty-six books of the New Testament (pages 203-220). Instead of finding these citations and references piled up in a haphazard or disconnected heap, the abundance of biblical support crafted and arranged by the author demonstrates substantial use that pointedly guides the reader through the counsel of God’s Word in order to adequately support the central claims of the book (pages 77-78). In addition to navigating a broad swath of Scripture, Troxel does not neglect detailed exegetical work as he seeks to emphasize subtle nuances of scriptural teaching in order to drive a point home to the reader in an impactful manner (page 193). The author’s high view of sufficiency is also shown in describing and explaining the human condition through the examples of the lives recorded on the pages of Scripture (page 31). Whether it is through the examples of David or Nabal, Elijah or the prophets of Baal, Esther or Haman, or a multitude of other persons, Troxel properly utilizes Scripture to bring truth to bear on the reader’s life (Romans 15:4).

Lest the reader think the practical value of this book is diminished due to the author’s theological and historical treatment of the topic, be assured that Troxel has maintained an engaging, personal, and intimate tone throughout the book. Currently serving as a professor of practical theology as Westminster Seminary California, the author’s years of pastoral experience combined with his love of training pastors for church ministry undoubtedly contributes to the pastoral, devotional, and practical nature of his most recent work. In addition to its tone and manageable length, With All Your Heart, is compiled in such a way as to point the reader towards not merely learning more about the heart and how to properly negotiate it, but towards loving more deeply the keeper of our hearts (page 157).

Troxel covers each of the aspects of the heart (mind, desire, and will) within its own major section of the book. Within each of these sections, Troxel addresses each of the threefold aspects of the heart by dedicating one chapter to biblically defining that aspect, one chapter on how sin particularly influences that aspect, and the closing chapter on how Jesus addresses that sin and redeems the heart of the believer (page 22).

The final part brings the entire story together in a call to action. In seeking to properly define the true nature of the heart, Troxel never loses sight of the fact that the point is not for believers to become mere heart gazers, but heart engagers. He cautions, “The heart if the first order of business because everything begins here. It ends here as well . . . the heart is your last wall of defense in a fortress that is under perpetual attack” (page 154). The great encouragement offered here is a call to orient our minds, desires, and wills towards Jesus who is the prophet, priest, and king of our hearts. While we have a duty to guard and protect our hearts from the attacks of the world, our flesh, and Satan, we are urged to remember that “Christ is able to keep us to the end. He will keep our hearts, and he will keep us” (page 196).

Helpful Quotes

1. “One of the most significant modern-day misconceptions abut the heart – even among evangelical Christians – is that the heart is opposed to the head … But to put the heart and intellect into a relationship of tension is not being true to Scripture” (page 34).
2. “The blame for self-delusion must be placed squarely on the state of our heart” (page 39).
3. “Faith and knowledge are not archenemies. They are blood brothers and share a home together in the heart” (page 55).
4. “The will cannot be discussed in abstraction from the heart; it is part of the heart” (page 120).
5. “Rebellion is the mood of all disobedience” (page 129).
6. “We strive to inflame our hearts with love for God, but our greater confidence is that it is God’s love for us that holds us fast” (page 192).

Samuel Stephens serves as the Director of Membership and Certification at ACBC and Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.