Sam Crabtree, currently serving executive pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, recently published his first book, titled Practicing Affirmation. Crabtree is a wonderfully encouraging guy, so it is no surprise then that he has written a wonderfully encouraging book about being wonderfully encouraging to others in a way that uplifts the Christian body and glorifies God.

Some might argue that a book like this is unnecessary. People need to stop pining for self-esteem boosts and find some confidence, they say. Crabtree responds by arguing that affirmation is absolutely necessary for successful relationships in any area, saying:

A shortage of affirmation explains many things from teenage rebellion to failed marriages. Affirmation withers up, and with it, the relationship. Meanwhile, ongoing corrections make the relationship more and more painful. Consider gang behavior. The young person may find he gets no commendation from the adults in his life, but when he spray paints the bridge, the gang howls with delight. Guess who has influence on him? Or the wife generally seems critical, but that secretary at work is understanding and affirming. Who is gaining influence with the husband? (p. 54)

Crabtree’s recurring theme in this book is affirming someone by acknowledging Christ’s work in their life. When we mention how much we appreciate a certain attribute of theirs, an attribute which accords with Christ’s character, we don’t simply uplift the hearer but also bring glory to the Creator. In this situation, we are recognizing the goodness of a certain thing, a thing which is perfectly pictured in Christ.

Affirming Christlike transformation makes a distinction between praising a doer of good and praising a do-gooder. One commends the pursuit of that which is truly excellent; the other flatters the performer who longs to outdo others, seeking attention and man’s applause. (p. 29)

Affirmation should not be a self-esteem free-for-all. Don’t affirm any old thing. Don’t affirm empty trendiness. Don’t stroke the ego. Commend the commendable! Value the valuable! Supremely value the supremely valuable. Worship only Christ, and then commend his image in people. (p. 30)

The only problem I had with this book is that it does not flow from chapter to chapter very well. Crabtree’s message, I believe, is right-on and biblically faithful, but his overall organization feels like the content was more tailored for a blog than a book. For instance, three chapters build on each other in a nice succession, but another chapter is a Q&A of potential objections to Crabtree’s message. The final chapter is a list of one hundred suggestions for implementing the kind of affirmation Crabtree has written about and, while helpful, doesn’t feel like a conclusion to an over-arching message in the book.

Aside from this, I have no reason not to recommend this book to anyone. Should I hear that anyone doesn’t think affirmation is important for the Christian to practice, I might give them a copy of Practicing Affirmation then and there that they might understand how significant it is even today.