The Upward Fall Book Review

In his first book, The Upward Fall: Our Pilgrim Journey through Groaning to Glory, brand-new author Brian Myers writes about a disciple’s ever twisting path of sanctification and the final destination—glory with Christ Jesus. This is not a formal review, but an informal opportunity to share with you a book I enjoyed, and support a new author who used to pastor my home church when I was a kid. Although new to the publishing world, Brian is the son of Ruth Myers, who authored 31 Days of Praise (aff link). One look at the richly printed hardcover of this book and it’s clear Brian has a fresh kind of reading experience in mind for his audience.

From cover to cover, beginning with Rembrandt’s Storm on the Sea of Galilee, to Caravaggio’s The Conversion of St. Paul, to some family portraits and a CD with a message and music, the book is a rich experience. More than that, Brian is a wordsmith. His writing is more like poetry than prose although the book uses a narrative and explanatory approach. When I began to read his book the style reminded me of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters. Had Lewis ever written a similar book, but with advice from one angel to another instead of one demon to another, I think it would sound a little like The Upward Fall. But due to the nature of his writing style, Brian’s work also requires complete attention, which is why on several occasions he urges, “But first, take a break…”  I should have listened because I got lost a few times due to the poetic nature of the prose. This book’s writing style is not for everyone, but it is for those who are willing to listen and experience “soul formation” through the message Brian has to give. 

Throughout the book, Brian exhorts his listeners to let go of what we hold so tightly in our lives to grasp more firmly to Christ—true life. He encourages us to persevere and reach for the blessings of heaven. He writes, “Hope for Him solely, cling to Him only... fall upward to Jesus, the beloved heart of your blessed hope.” (pg 120) He shares this message through lots of Scripture, his family’s personal stories, and his own journey of hardship and trials. Although Brian doesn’t name his specific theological perspective, his chapter on the new Jerusalem seemed to suggest he has a literalist interpretation of Revelation 21. Although I would probably unfold the description of eternity with a different hermeneutic, or way of interpreting what the author intended, I enjoyed Brian’s perspective very much. He showed me in many ways how the eternal city will shine with all sorts of beautiful brilliance, which I appreciated very much.

Although much of this book is dedicated to the encouragement of the saints—revealing a glimpse of what it means to become the “bride of Christ”—Brian also spent time focusing on the gospel message of justification. Although this might not stand out for some, it stood out for me. Justification is the foundation of our sanctification and we need to remind ourselves of this encouragement everyday. Brian did well to remind me of this too: 

“That’s why He saved us—that we’d shine like Him. To justify, sanctify, and glorify us. To give us His Son’s legal identity, then its reality. We exchanged identities when we repented of our own to own Him instead. We believed He owned ours in our stead—the hideous load of our depravity, its horrific penalty—to have and to hold us, to keep us and set us free… In league with our redeemer, to be with Him forever, we’re converting imputed righteousness to imparted righteousness, a legal identity into a resplendent reality, through groaning to glory.” (pg 73)

That’s the message of Christianity right there, the “great exchange.” The gospel is not just a message for the day you believe, but for everyday. It’s why we struggle, because we’re being made into what Christ has already purchased for us, his image. This is what our hearts and souls long for, and if your soul is longing to be made more like Christ, give this book a try and see what happens. Brian writes,“What you’re longing to be is God’s passion for what He knows you can become. As you travail through your affliction, His vision for your transformation will prevail—from justification to sanctification to glorification, from the imputed to the imparted image of the Son.” (pg 136) We are given (imputed) Christ’s righteousness so that we can grow (imparted) into a beautiful reflection of Jesus. That is the sweetest message.

As I read I found myself praying more to let go of those things I cling to so tightly. I found myself thinking about the reward of eternity with Christ and how I want to be truly satisfied in him, something God is teaching me through other means as well. If you too are on this “pilgrim journey”, and aren’t quite there yet, pick up a copy of The Upward Fall and see how God will encourage you as you stumble, bumble, and fall your way through heaven’s gate’s into the arms a savior who had you firmly in his grasp the whole time.