Countless theologians have explored the relationship between faith and works/grace and obedience across the centuries, yet the conversation continues with unflagging enthusiasm.  In Secrets of the Kingdom Life, attorney and author David Bercot takes his turn at investigating what he calls the “Great Paradox” of kingdom life: Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and rest, taking on His (easy) yoke and (light) burden while at the same time shouldering a cross and denying self.

Bercot defines “secrets” of the kingdom as concepts that are known to only a few people and tackles the question of whether believers ignorant of those secrets can remain kingdom citizens.  The “half-and-half” Christianity so memorably made public by Constantine has been characterized by a diversity of terminologies over the years: “easy-believism” and “worldly living” are a few of the labels Bercot uses to describe this perspective (also known to bring charges of legalism and fanaticism against those who truly “live the Kingdom Life”[12]).

Throughout the book, “secrets” of kingdom life are shown as disciplines that Christians employ as a means of demonstrating their faith and continuing in the grace of God.  Bercot uses a wide variety of visual aids, from Jesus’ classic picture of branches abiding in a vine to the “Victorious Cycle”  (a variant of the boat-with-two-oars theme, illustrated as balancing on a bicycle in order to stay moving, yet remaining in motion in order to keep the bicycle upright [38]).  Larger-than-life characters such as Timothy Toiler, Paula Pious, and Luke and Lydia Lovejoy add wry humor to their modeling of Bercot’s concepts.

Bercot provides a number of encouraging suggestions.  Far from placing a heavy burden of guilt on Christians who don’t practice a “devotional hour” yet know they should, he suggests beginning small and considering your tendencies and stage of life.  (Before realizing that he was not a “morning person,” he tried to read the Bible and pray first thing in the morning; now he finds study more profitable at night.)   Prayer, reading and pondering the Scripture, accountability to other Christians, and getting the most out of a church service are other topics that are practically and helpfully covered.   Christian virtues of love, humility, and forgiveness are addressed as well as the sins of pride, gossip, and materialism: chapters are short and the topics numerous.

As with any book and one of this style in particular, readers should take into account both the author’s perspective and the lens through which they themselves will read it.  The error Bercot addresses was common to the evangelicalism of his early Christian experience; the weak points of his readers may be entirely different.  An academic himself, Bercot openly admires simplicity to the extent that some readers could take away an unhealthy suspicion of scholarly Bible study.

Bercot would no doubt repudiate the teaching of a works-based salvation or the idea that anyone can earn God’s saving grace.  In this work, at least, the emphasis on discipline and behavior does not leave that distinction as clear as one might wish.  Scattered extreme-Arminian-sounding statements (e.g. “Whether or not Jesus remains in us depends upon our obedient response to His love” [p. 8]) and frequent quotes from John Wesley give an indication of some potential theological ditches.  Christians whose upbringing or personality type puts them at risk for “easy-believism” could gain useful insights from this book.  Christians from a background prone to any sort of legalism or one that has put little emphasis on serious Bible study should read it with caution, if at all.