Book Review: "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Tripp

Paul David Tripp’s book, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands is written in a simple, but understandable matter in which every Christian who desires to help people change can find some source of encouragement. Tripp opens up the book by introducing one of the main premises in the book as a whole. The stirring thought that the gospel is, as Tripp states, “The best news a human being could ever receive… something so significant that it makes everything we do worthwhile, even though we are just flawed people in a broken world (p. 1).” Many well-meaning counseling books that I have read have opened by spending much time focusing on tactics that will effect change in individuals (necessary though they may be), or ways in which biblical nouthetic counseling differs from integrationalism, secular humanism, modern psychology, and any number of secular counseling methods. Tripp, however, offers a refreshing perspective right from the start. He doesn’t make any pretense about having a magic wand to wave, or sure-fire words to say that will cut right to the heart of the counselee. He instead offers the simple proposition that the gospel, as revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the words of Scripture, is enough to cause totally depraved sinners to change through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The first six chapters of the book take on the task of breaking down the process of helping people change biblically. An accurate summary of chapters one through six would look something like this; Biblical change happens when the unbelievably sinful heart of an individual who recognizes the depth of his failure is targeted by the hope revealed when the gospel is portrayed through a Spirit-led Christ-follower

The remainder of the book is organized under four main headings; love, know, speak, and do. First, Tripp emphasizes the importance of loving the counselee. Tripp does an excellent job stressing the importance of building a strong relationship with the counselee. This happens when we focus not just on the problem, but on the person involved in the problem. We must understand them, enter into their world, and show them the love and empathy of Christ. Second, we must know the people. Here the importance of collecting data, asking poignant questions, and pinpointing where specifically change is needed is highlighted. Third, people must be confronted in love, and shown their biblical responsibility for change. In this section of the book, Tripp makes the strong point that the gospel is essential for biblical confrontation leading to repentance. On page 213, Tripp points out that “The grace of the gospel is what turns our hearts, because the gospel is God’s magnificent promise of forgiveness in Christ.” Finally, in the “do” section of the book, the key process of establishing an agenda for change, giving assignments, and holding the counselee accountable is covered.

When considering the strengths of this book, a few key thoughts immediately come to mind. First, a major strength of this book is the unveiling of the idea that all human beings are worshippers. We were created to worship something, and at the root of our heart problem fact that we really have a worship problem. Tripp allows that paradigm to shape the way that he addresses the issues that counselees face. Another obvious strength of the book is the integration of so many practical illustrations. The truths of this book are not just presented on a dry, surface level, but illustrations regarding the truths presented are portrayed. Mr. Tripp draws on a wealth of personal experience that I found to be incredibly valuable as I read his book. As I mentioned at the beginning, perhaps the biggest strength for me in the whole book was the idea of the gospel being the answer to every problem. Tripp used Scriptural principles to support the concept that in the gospel we have everything that we need to live a successful Christian life. This book is quite literally “soaked” in Scripture. A final strength that I will highlight here is the idea behind the book itself. This is the idea that believers don’t have to be super-humans in order to help people change. We simply must understand how to get to know and understand people, and then to compassionately confront them with the truth of the gospel that will surely help them to change.

Weaknesses in this book were few and far between. However, there were at least two that could be mentioned here. First, Tripp approaches the book with an obvious bent toward Covenant Theology. Tripp dogmatically states the idea that the kingdom is now in the hearts, and that believers are “covenant individuals.” While I understand that Tripp certainly has a right to those beliefs, and I don’t see the covenant/dispensational issue as an issue of separation, I do view that as a weakness of this book. Another weakness that I saw was the length of the book. At times it felt like he presented some of the main ideas repeatedly, merely stating them in differing ways. I realize that this is purely subjective, but I did feel as though the book could have been condensed a bit more efficiently.

There are a few aspects that immediately come to mind when I think of how this book will potentially shape my future pastoral ministry. Many of those ways are mirrored in what I saw to be strengths in this book. I believe that I came away from this book with a better understanding of those in my future congregation as worshipers. Every sin that needs to be dealt with is a sin that arises out of a worship problem. I also came away with an even better understanding of something that God has been teaching me for some time now. This is the idea that the gospel is the answer to every issue that I face, and to every issue that anyone that I work with will face. The good news of Jesus Christ is all that I need in order to effectively minister to those whom God has called me to work with. Tripp’s portrayal of Christ as an empathetic high priest who knows our feelings was very useful in the development of this thought. I’m sure that I will also frequently reference the practical suggestions made my Tripp. The ideas for data collection, questions that aid in getting to know individuals on a more personal level, practical suggestions for accountability, and many others cause this book to be a valuable reference material as much as anything else. I could also see myself using this book in pastoral ministry as a tool that I would give to a member of my congregation who was seeking to learn more concerning how he could help others to change. Overall, I would recommend Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands as a valuable resource to those with a heart towards helping others to be more like Christ.