The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power [Paperback]

Richard J. Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1989

The Challenge of the Disciplined Life explores the three great ethical themes crucial to people of faith living faithfully. Drawing upon practical examples, Richard J. Foster guides the reader in day-to-day ethical decision making while helping each of us determine "the proper place in Christian life of money, sex, and power."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Book of the Year." -- -- Eternity

"Earthly spirituality . . . full of common sense and good advice." -- -- Christianity Today

About the Author

Richard J. Foster is the author of several bestselling books, including Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, Life with God, and Prayer, which was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and the winner of the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He is the founder of RenovarÉ, an organization and a movement committed to the renewal of the church of Jesus Christ in all its multifaceted expressions, and the editor of The Life with God Bible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (August 30, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060628286
• ISBN-13: 978-0060628284
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Live in Today's World, September 8, 2000

By 

Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (Paperback)

I think this is one of the best books on the difficulty of living in a society driven by money, power, consumerism, sex and continual change.

Foster has a compassionate, realistic view of what life is really like and how to deal with it. His opening chapter, Money, Sex and Power in Christian Perspective lays out the focus of the book - it is difficult to walk the walk. He isn't focusing on the external morality of ethical behavior, but on the social implications. He offers historical views of attitudes on money, sex and power, and divides the books into sections that focus on each issue.

In a small section titled "When Good Things Go Bad," he says, "There is, of course, a proper place in Christian life and experience for money, sex, and power. When properly placed and effectively functioning, they have the ability as nothing else does to enhance and bless life." He goes on to identify what the problem is in each area -the demon in money is greed; the demon in sex is lust; the demon in power is pride. And he tells us that these really are not matters we can be neutral about in hopes that they will disappear - if we ignore them, we will be dominated by them.

How do we avoid be controlled by our own desires, instead of controlling them to our own advantage? In the Power area, Foster suggests that we face the demons within, instead of projecting them on others. In addition, he suggests that we stop trying to manage and control others, and focus on our own spiritual powers.

Foster manages to be 'proper' without being unrealistically 'prim.' Whether read by fundamentalist Christians, small "c" christians, or Buddhists, this book gives food for thought. Agnostics, athiests and many free spirits will be turned off by references to the Bible and the focus on Jesus.

I used to think you had to agree with everything you read in a book, to find it of any use. There are parts of this book I don't agree with, but I took what was helpful, and left the rest. Those who keep an open mind will find that this is not a dogmatic, preaching book, but one that will make you think.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Three!, February 3, 2004

By 

R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (Paperback)

PLOT: Money, Sex, & Power, these are the three big temptations of church leadership. The early monks battled these with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Protestants today are more likely to use the tools of simplicity, fidelity, and servanthood. Foster does an excellent job exploring these three dangerous areas.

POSITIVES: Foster draws from Scripture, other authors, and his own excellent understanding of theology. This is a book I find myself coming back to again and again.

PROBLEMS: Foster is given to strong statements. I didn't agree with all of them. I found myself highlighting certain passages and writing notes of praise. I found myself highlighting other passages and disagreeing with them. This is not a problem for me. I often interact with the books I read and sometimes go back years later and interact with my own notes as I wrestle with myself. But this could be a problem with some readers, who either feel they have a handle on theology or are threatened by ideas they disagree with. Let the buyer beware.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Malcolm Hutchinson Ed.D, December 20, 1999

By 

Malcolm (Southeastern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (Paperback)

I first read this book in 1988 it has guided me often from then until now. Its clear ethics will give valueable insight to all who will apply its ageless principals regardless of their personal faith practice. Foster's blending of practical reality linked with bibical concepts leaves one thinking in new (old) ways that still make since in a world who's ethics seem to be changing daily; humanism like marxism will be soon forgotten, yet the insights exponded by Foster will continue to make a profound positive impact. Having taught Business ethics and philosophy I have found no better book to read.