Discovering the Way of Wisdom [Paperback]

Edward M. Curtis (Author), John J. Brugaletta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2004

An insightful and practical look at patterns for contemporary spiritual growth found in the wisdom of the Old Testament. (20051108)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a very helpful, insightful, and practical look at models for spiritual growth found in the wisdom books of the Old Testament. With clarity and depth, the authors explore essential principles for spiritual growth including developing self-control, nurturing good relationships, practicing fairness and justice, speaking appropriately, and responding properly to difficulty and suffering. A book worthy of consideration to help meet the day by day needs of your people." (Maynard Belt Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches )

"This is one of those books that enrich our understanding of the Old Testament while providing a greater understanding of the New. It combines excellent scholarship with amazing read-ability, a combination that is difficult to achieve. Particularly impressive is the way the authors show the importance of the wisdom literature and the number of times Jesus taught directly or indirectly from that part of the Old Testament." (C.B.M. Church Libraries )

From the Back Cover

Budgets, friendships, entertainment, and conversations—not things that immediately come to mind when we think of spiritual growth. However, according to the Old Testament wisdom books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs), the hundreds of little decisions we make every day are essential parts of developing godly character.

With clarity and depth, authors Curtis and Brugaletta explore essential principles for spiritual growth including developing self-control, nurturing good relationships, practicing fairness and justice, speaking appropriately, and responding properly to difficulty and suffering. This much needed, practical book will help you live in constant awareness of God’s concern for every aspect of your relationship with Him.

“A rich, powerful, and weighty treatment of core biblical themes that constitute the very essence of a life well lived.”

—J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
Talbot School of Theology

“Without sacrificing scholarship or torturing the biblical text beyond recognition, [the authors have] shown that the Wisdom Literature contains more wisdom than we . . . had ever dreamed.”

—Ronald K. Tacelli, SJ, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Boston College

“A valuable and much needed complement to the emphasis in contemporary spirituality on developing a relationship with God through contemplation and spiritual disciplines.”

—Robert L. Saucy, Distinguished Professor of Theology
Talbot School of Theology

Edward M. Curtis (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania) is professor of biblical studies and theology at Talbot School of Theology. A specialist in Old Testament Wisdom Literature, he has written a commentary on Song of Songs and study notes for Job.

John J. Brugaletta (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is Professor Emeritus at California State University. He is a prolific writer of poetry, as well as the co-author with Edward Curtis of Transformed Thinking: Loving God with All Your Mind.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional (August 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424046
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424045
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is Wisdom to be Found?, May 7, 2007

By 

H. G. Scott (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discovering the Way of Wisdom (Paperback)

Let's face it. In contemporary culture, the virtue of wisdom is not a hot commodity. But if Edward Curtis and John J. Brugaletta are right, it should be, especially for Christians struggling to live out their faith in their own difficult context. According to Curtis and Brugaletta:

"Living wisely means receiving power from God to live and act as He designed us to live and act. He does not always tell us what choices to make. That is why He gave us the power to reason; He wants us to make some of the decisions. But He wants us to make them with Him at the center of our decision-making faculty, and thus according to His will and truth. That is what is meant by deciding wisely" (p. 16).

In "Discovering the Way of Wisdom", Curtis and Brugletta argue that the wisdom portions of Scripture (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) are not, as many have thought, irrelevant to matters of faith, but rather are indispensable resources for helping a person to live well and wisely in the world.

"Discovering the Way of Wisdom" is comprised of ten chapters. In the first five chapters, the authors set up their argument for how the Old Testament Wisdom Literature is relevant and foundational to our spiritual lives. They show how wisdom interplays with a variety of areas in our practical, everyday life, including the areas of finances, emotions, relationships, priorities, and personal life goals. The final ten chapters are a roadmap to how you can begin cultivating wisdom in your own life, beginning with, of course, the fear of the Lord, the reading of Scripture, the practice of meditation, understanding the role of suffering in spiritual growth, and the importance of acknowledging and accepting certain mysteries in life. At the end of each chapter, the authors provide questions for further thought and reflection.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I was challenged to examine how wisely I conducted my own life and how I can grow in the future. "Discovering the Way of Wisdom" is the type of book you'll want to read and reread in order to fully digest all that Curtis and Brugaletta are trying to communicate.

A wise purchase indeed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discovering the Way of Wisdom, February 28, 2010

By 

J Hendricks (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Discovering the Way of Wisdom (Paperback)

Curtis and Brugaletta have given the building blocks for a wonderful relationship with the old testament. The reading is very straight forward and not very deep in theology (the book is true to the theology of our faith but writen as the beginner can handle). This is a must read!!!! for a fuller understanding of the new testament.