This is the first book in a forthcoming collection of books edited and commented by Michael Phillips, of essays from George MacDonald's five nonfiction works, especially his three series of "Unspoken Sermons." These (namely, the essays and not the editing and commentary by Phillips) are among the best, if not the best, deepest, and most thought-provoking materials I have ever read. I can't say whether I can fully agree with everything MacDonald says (although I admit I feel this is usually because he thinks on an entirely higher level than I do, than most of us do), but that doesn't at all mean that I am enjoying the book one bit less for it! No one writes like MacDonald!One thing I have discovered is that, with MacDonald's nonfiction, you have to read him with the understanding firmly rooted in your mind that he consistently uses terms and ideas that he himself has redefined (that is, defined differently than the popular understanding) in other works and at other times. So, when he talks about "obedience" or "life," or any number of other ideas, be sure to _hesitate_ jumping to a conclusion about what he means by it, at the very least until you have read the entire piece. And it may be (and probably will be) that you later read an essay, a short story, a fantasy reader, or one of his novels that completely clarifies what he meant by some certain statement he made that you weren't sure you agreed with. His nonfiction works are not self-contained. They are best understood together, and even alongside his fiction.On that point, I have found it extremely helpful that I have read (and continue to read) many of his fiction works, large and small--almost all of which have an allegorical flair to them that serves to elucidate MacDonald's way of thinking much more simply and smoothly than his nonfiction is able to do.I'm not as impressed with Phillips' commentary on MacDonald's essays, although they do occasionally come in handy when chewing on a particularly tough piece of MacDonald's work, but I am grateful for his editorial efforts. I am however looking forward to getting ahold of complete, un-"translated" copies of his nonfiction works, from which the essays in this series of edited books have been culled. But if you can't get "The Hope of the Gospel," "The Miracles of Our Lord," any of the three volumes of "Unspoken Sermons," are afraid of the difficulty of reading them, or are a new reader of George MacDonald (and especially of his nonfiction), then this is a great place to start.However, I have decided to put down this copy. I've borrowed it from a library and am nearly distraught that I can't underline in it or write in the margins. Also, I find that reading MacDonald, and then reading Phillip's commentary on MacDonald, is tiring and repetitive. I find myself wanting to skip Phillips to get to the next essay, except for the occasions when I'm not sure I understand MacDonald (which is getting less and less, with as much as I have been reading from him in all genres). There is another thing, though I appreciate the minor types of editing--spelling changes, conversion of "thee's and thou's," and replacement of archaic words--I am becoming increasingly thirsty for "the whole MacDonald" and am willing to wade through his difficult wordings, run-on sentences, and four-page paragraphs. I'm finding that it's worth it. It's not easy, but it's worth it. So, I've decided to return my copy of "Your Life in Christ," only read it at the library when I want to see Phillips' perspective on one of MacDonald's essays, and instead purchase unedited hard copies of his nonfiction.But, to all of you who want an introduction to MacDonald's nonfiction, who can't seem to obtain the originals, or who want the editing and commentary, this is an exceedingly worthy purchase or borrow--anything of MacDonald's is worth its weight in gold. And let this serve to taunt to you: his essay "Life," I can't even tell you how great it is without quoting it in its entirety. You'll just have to read this book. So there. ( )