Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees [Paperback]

Tom O. Hovestol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 1997

They despised the teaching of the Messiah who came to save them. They were the objects of Jesus' harshest statements. They crucified our Lord. But if you take a good look in the mirror, they look an awful lot like us. In this honest, eye-opening book, author Tom Hoevstol examines the life of the Pharisees. Exploring their historical and biblical roots, he discovers truths that will challenge any believer who has 'grown up' in the church. Often we have all the right answers, but live less than righteous lives. We've read the Bible, listened in church, and even had a daily 'quite time,' yet none of that godly wisdom is reaching our hearts and changing our lives. While we live stellar lives on the outside, we battle secret sins in the dark corners of our souls. Though we appear to be saintly, we are self-seeking. Though we appear to be separated from the world, we desperately want to be a part of it. Join Tom Hovestol in answering deep and painful questions like: Why do good spiritual roots sometimes produce flawed fruit? Why do people who know the truth sometimes miss the way? Why is there a difference between the public and the private persona of the Christians you know, including yourself? Why does tradition exert such a powerful pull on the church? Why is there such a love of fences and such a fear of freedom? Why do some who look spiritually fit turn out to be sick?Take a good look at what we're really like, and ask the most important question of all - is there a way out?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

TOM HOVESTOL is the pastor of Calvary Church in Longmont, Colorado. A graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Wheaton College, he served for three years as a teacher in Swaziland, Africa, and later as a pastor in Texas. He is the author of Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees. He and his wife, Carey, are the parents of five children and reside in Longmont, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; 1St Edition edition (May 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802466966
• ISBN-13: 978-0802466969
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,527,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Best Frie3nds, The Pharisees, August 28, 2001

By 

R. Schwartz (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees (Paperback)

Unlike the misconception of most, the Pharasees were rightreous people in many ways. They were rooted in the scriptures, and zealously seeked to both teach and walk in the law. They are strikingly almost identical with the many churches we have today. Some were harsh and fundamental, while others were merciful and flexible. But as history shows their love for being good at both the scriptures and life style led them to self righteouness, legalism, traditionalism an using God's words to both blind and bind them, the identical characteristics that can be clearly seen in many churches throughout the world. Our extenal human righteousness can surely take us away from the invisible, inner reality of a pure and intimate relatiohship with Christ. This book is one of the best books I have read on legalism and the formation of the fundamentalist way of thinking that happens to the most sincere and good people: ourselves. As a former fundamenalist, this book is an eye opener to the dynamics of legalism and one-sided thinking.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book To Examine The Heart Of Every Leader, May 9, 2000

By 

Bill MItchell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees (Paperback)

In Tom Hovestol's book, Extreme Righteousness, the author looks to the Pharisees:

ZEALOUS FOR SCRIPTURES

SCRUPULOUS IN THEIR GIVING

DEDICATED TO LIVING UNTAINTED BY THE WORLD

FERVENT IN ANTICIPATING GOD'S DELIVERANCE

CONSCIENTIOUS IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S COMMANDS

These phrases describe the Pharisees. And they describe our own churches. Exploring their historical and Biblical roots, the author discovers penetrating truths that warn, enlighten and protect belivers from their disastrous path.

Incredible chapters bringing conviction and hope for every leader. Some of the more impacting chapters: When Bible Knowledge Blinds & Binds When Tradition Twists Truth When The Sick Look Fit When A Private Relationship Becomes A Public Show

I appreciated the discussion of the five Jewish groups of Jesus' time: The Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees - Hillel & Shammai, Zealots and Essenes.

In answering the question, why is our self-righteousness unseen?, the author speaks of our blindness to it by the following agencies:

Blinded by our culture Blinded by our morality Blinded by religion Blinded by knowledge

The warning lights of self righteousness? 1. A Contemptuous View Of Others 2. A Shallow Sense Of Forgiveness 3. A Wrong Sense Of Grace & Fairness 4. An Unhealthy View Of Failure

A deep heart-encountering book recommended for any leader.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book makes you take a good look at yourself., June 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (East Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees (Paperback)

A friend gave me this book about two years ago. I dreaded reading it, but once I got started it was wonderful. This book is about every Christian. There is a Pharisee in all of us. But we are not left with the dilemna. Tom Hovestol eloquently and practically points the reader to the grace of God.

Surprisingly, this was a very interesting and encouraging book.