A revised and updated edition of the manifesto that shows how simplicity is not merely having less stress and more leisure but an essential spiritual discipline for the health of our soul.
Freedom of Simplicity:: Finding Harmony in a Complex World
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Foster’s personal honesty, forthrightness, and literary courage are compelling.” (Ted Engstrom, president emeritus, World Vision )
“A stirring and timely message to Christians specifically and to humanity generally.” (Mark Hatfield, senator from Oregon )
“Belongs in the hearts and hands of all who call themselves Christ’s followers.” (David Allan Hubbard, president and professor of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary )
“If everybody in this country could read—and heed—this book, what a difference it would make to the planet.” (Madeleine L'Engle )
“This book will become a challenging and formative part of your spiritual life.” (Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity )
“A stirring and timely message to Christians specifically and to humanity generally.” (Mark Hatfield, senator from Oregon )
“Belongs in the hearts and hands of all who call themselves Christ’s followers.” (David Allan Hubbard, president and professor of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary )
“If everybody in this country could read—and heed—this book, what a difference it would make to the planet.” (Madeleine L'Engle )
“This book will become a challenging and formative part of your spiritual life.” (Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity )
From the Publisher
Articulates a creative, more human style of living and points the way for Christians to make their lives "models of simplicity."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It's not an easy task to let go of the known and go into the unknown.
To let go of possessions, relationships and to live simply one day at a time. To let go of controlling people you live with, work with, play with, to be and to trust.
It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others, it brings peace and fulfillment not to rush and accomplish but to do one thing at a time, whether it's eating, vacuuming, telephone calling, working at the office or being with the kids or grandkids.
One thing at a time done with simple awareness is worth doing many, many things without awareness. Richard Foster shows us how to live this lifestyle in his books Freedom of Simplicity and Celebration of Discipline. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Once you let go, you don't have to prove anything to anyone, you lose that competition drive, status quo, you don't have to live on the edge, you become more compassionate, more centered, more intuitive, more alive to yourself and others.
You worry less and love more, you fear less and trust more, you live for the moment, because that's all you have. You make less mistakes and better decisions. You need less and enjoy more. Live simply so that others may simply live
To let go of possessions, relationships and to live simply one day at a time. To let go of controlling people you live with, work with, play with, to be and to trust.
It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others, it brings peace and fulfillment not to rush and accomplish but to do one thing at a time, whether it's eating, vacuuming, telephone calling, working at the office or being with the kids or grandkids.
One thing at a time done with simple awareness is worth doing many, many things without awareness. Richard Foster shows us how to live this lifestyle in his books Freedom of Simplicity and Celebration of Discipline. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Once you let go, you don't have to prove anything to anyone, you lose that competition drive, status quo, you don't have to live on the edge, you become more compassionate, more centered, more intuitive, more alive to yourself and others.
You worry less and love more, you fear less and trust more, you live for the moment, because that's all you have. You make less mistakes and better decisions. You need less and enjoy more. Live simply so that others may simply live
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Foster wonders if he is the right person to write this book, and indeed who would be. (It seems clear that he was exactly the right person.) Our culture is at war with simplicity. Material neediness is almost demanded of us. We need new stuff -- techno-toys, fashions, cars, amazing new whatnot. Says Foster: "Stress the quality of life above the quantity of life. Refuse to be seduced into defining life in terms of having rather than being. Cultivate solitude and silence. Learn to 'listen to God's speech in his wondrous, terrible, gentle, loving, all-embracing silence'... Value music, art, books, significant travel. If you are too busy to read, you are too busy... Learn the wonderful truth that to increase the quality of life means to decrease material desire..." Foster leads the reader to understand that Christian simplicity is not merely a reinvention of self focus, a stripped-down version of self indulgence. It is both carefully inward-looking and thoughtfully outward-looking, always seeking to need only One. This is not the Christianity that the skeptic will find easy to assail, but rather the type of human concerns illuminated by Christ: "A million hogs in Indiana have superior housing to a billion humans on this planet."
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Baysuite
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This was a good book on voluntary simplicity. I've read enough of such books, but this one offered more of a biblical perspective than I've seen in a lot. The first couple of chapters are really great, as they offered some great insights about how God views wealth and our responsibility to others. It's good information, too, because in our society, we are mostly concerned about how we can get more money to take better care of SELF, not others. Other countries are a lot more community oriented.
In later chapters, though, the book shifts gears a bit and shows us some things we can do to embrace simplicity outwardly and inwardly. Because of these chapters, I don't think that this is exactly the book for simplicity beginners. It gets pretty challenging, and not that this is a bad thing, but it can be a little intimidating and feel a bit "burdensome". The wise reader, however, will know what to apply, and what is fitting for his or her life, and the direction God is leading him or her in. It is a good book, though, and I would recommend it.
In later chapters, though, the book shifts gears a bit and shows us some things we can do to embrace simplicity outwardly and inwardly. Because of these chapters, I don't think that this is exactly the book for simplicity beginners. It gets pretty challenging, and not that this is a bad thing, but it can be a little intimidating and feel a bit "burdensome". The wise reader, however, will know what to apply, and what is fitting for his or her life, and the direction God is leading him or her in. It is a good book, though, and I would recommend it.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Of all the books on the market today about simplicity this one speaks directly to the Christian. It explains why many of us may feel drawn to the simple life. What would Jesus do? This is more than a book about how to save money, buy at thrift stores, and save the earth. It speaks to the soul.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Why did it take me so long to find this book? Kudos to Harper for reissuing it after years of being out of print. I have read a number of recent, popular books on "voluntary simplicity" and "downshifting," but none approach the beauty of Foster's clear and compelling treatise on the "complexity of simplicity." After outlining the spiritual foundation of the notion of simplicity, he offers practical means of working to achieve it. If you're interested in "living the simple life" BUY this book and check all those other titles out of the library! A great book for "downshifters" regardless of their spiritual background.
32 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I began reading this book with high expectations regarding the insights the author would have to offer. I was certainly not disappointed. Foster divides his work into two parts. In part one, he lays a foundation for a life of simplicity based upon the Old and New Testaments. He also draws upon church history to illustrate the advantages of not being distracted by worldly possessions and pursuits.
In part two, Foster puts the concept of simplicity into action. He speaks of inward simplicity which aligns our lives properly with God. He then refers to outward simplicity, which relates us in a fitting manner to persons around us. He closes his book by referring to corporate simplicity in the church and in the world. Sadly, his work would have been better had he omitted these last two chapters. In them, Foster's liberal economic and political views rise to the surface, strongly overshadowing the Biblical argument he has so skillfully presented earlier.
Still, in an age characterized by materialism within and without the church, this book gives a fresh new perspective on focusing on things eternal that cannot be bought or sold. I recommend it highly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent source of practical bible application
Forster who is a Christian mystic brings the truth into our daily walk. It is one thing to know the truth and another to live it!
Published 23 days ago by Chaplain Jim
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Definitely a good book that produces a lot of good thought. I love the relevance of the subject to how we live.
Published 6 months ago by loveashg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
This book is a must read for any born again Christian who wants to know God's ways to a simple life. Its not just another self help book.
Published 8 months ago by Simple Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
review of life
Richard Foster is so good about bringing his experiences to you and help you think of your life in relation to God. Almost every sentence gives one something to meditate upon.
Published 13 months ago by jng
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words that cut to the core
There are few books that really move me to the deepest parts of my soul. I have been grappling with a raw understanding of these concepts ever since I decided to follow Christ 21... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Carjam
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book on simplicity I've ever read
If you want a simpler life, or think that you should, this is the book to read.
Foster writes early on that he was very hesitant to write this book. Read more
Foster writes early on that he was very hesitant to write this book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jonathan (working on the humility thing)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
This is a wonderful book that I'm reading for the second time. The author approaches the freedom of simplicity from a faith perspective long before getting into material... Read more
Published on June 7, 2011 by Rookie Packer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book every Christian interested in personal finance should wrestle...
I'd definitely give this one five stars... not because it all the sudden will "simplify" your life. Just the opposite, in fact. Read more
Published on January 4, 2009 by K. Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Excellent!
I must say Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity ranks among the most helpful and spiritually formative books in my personal life. Read more
Published on August 23, 2008 by Donner C. S. Tan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Personal Freedom as a lifestyle
Excellent material the updated edition is underscored with author's personal experience. Excellent resource for resource management people as well those subscribing to The... Read more
Published on March 19, 2008 by S. R. Lyman
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 50
books:
See all 50 books this book cites
90
books
cite this book:
See all 90 books citing this book
- A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly on 4 pages
- Purity of Heart: Is To Will One Thing (Harper Torchbooks) by Soren Kierkegaard on 4 pages
- The Emerging Order by Jeremy Rifkin on 4 pages
- No Cross, No Crown: The Original Exposition On the Cross of Jesus Christ by William Penn on page 82, page 88, and Back Matter
- The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence on page 105, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 50 books this book cites
- A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants: Deluxe Gift edition by Rueben P. Job on 6 pages
- A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants by Rueben P. Job on 6 pages
- A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants by Rueben P. Job on 5 pages
- God's Whisper in a Mother's Chaos: Bringing Peace Home by Keri Wyatt Kent on 4 pages
- Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 90 books citing this book
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
