A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original review appears below. Stephen Jenvey is an adherent at St. Giles’ Presbyterian Church, Prince George.
The Timothy Principle, by Roy Robertson. Colorado Springs, CO.: NavPress, 1986, 120 pp.
Roy Robertson has written a book aimed at encouraging and mobilizing Christians to pass on their spiritual heritage to others. The Timothy Principle is an easily read book that stresses a disciplined, organized approach to spiritual fruit-bearing.
Robertson’s emphasis on spiritual reproduction through individual discipleship is a personal one. Dawson Trotman, the founder of ‘The Navigators’, was Robertson’s spiritual father, and many references are made to Trotman’s teaching methods throughout the book. Included is an appendix with teaching helps and follow-up tools used by Trotman in his spiritual discipling.
Rather than focussing on the discipling process, The Timothy Principle takes the reader through basic principles needed in one’s life before fruitful discipleship can take place. Consistency in the daily devotional life, understanding and being able to explain the plan of salvation, having a prayer plan, and approaches to Bible study, among others, are stressed and explained. Indeed, the book is a celebration of disciplined discipleship and the practice of it.
Most of all, however, this book is concerned with fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. There are no short-cuts in spiritual growth, nor in fulfilling Christ’s commission, Robertson notes. But as reproduction is necessary for the species to continue and flourish, so spiritual reproduction is necessary for the Gospel to effectively be proclaimed throughout this world.
The Timothy Principle is straightforward and practical in its approach. But the principles it presents will challenge all of us to pass on our spiritual heritage.