The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ [Paperback]

Gary L Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

The Glorious Pursuit examines how you can experience the long-term change that comes from following Jesus and reveal Him in how you act toward others. By examining the virtues of Christ, you'll be introduced to a new way of experiencing Him that is authentic and gives meaning that lasts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

EXPERIENCE CHRIST. Do you want to experience Christ in new ways but feel frustrated when nothing seems to work? Are you discouraged by those areas of your life that never change because that's just the way you are? Do you feel like you're not the person you were meant to be? If you answered yes to any of these questions and want to find true fulfillment, The Glorious Pursuit can help. By examining the virtues of Christ, you'll be introduced to a new way of experiencing Christ that is authentic and gives meaning that lasts. "When we practice the virtues of Christ," says Gary Thomas, "we become who God created us to be and experience God in a whole new way." The Glorious Pursuit examines how we can experience the long-term change that comes from following Jesus and reveal Him in our behavior toward others. Experiencing Christ is possible. The Glorious Pursuit will show you how.

About the Author

GARY THOMAS is the founder of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality, a publishing and speaking ministry that integrates Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics. He is an author and conference speaker who emphasizes spiritual discipleship through conformity to the character of Christ. A frequent contributor to Christianity Today, he lives with his family in Bellingham, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576830527
• ISBN-13: 978-1576830529
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 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: #188,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships. Gary's unique message will help you:

* Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
* Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse.
* Build a closer, grace-based family.
* Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

Find out more at: www.GaryThomas.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for those yearning to be restored to God's image., May 15, 1999

By 

Doug Hammack (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ (Paperback)

Some books merit a browse, some a ransack. The Glorious Pursuit merits the later. It's focus is giving practical guidance -- a track to run on, to those whose deepest yearning is to be forged into the likeness and image of God. Practical, helpful, and rooted in both sound exegesis and historical precedent.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glorious Success, November 8, 2005

By 

Robert W. Kellemen "Doc. K." (Crown Point, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ (Paperback)

Everything you need to know about Thomas' book is contained in the title. "The Glorious Pursuit" tackles how to pursue growing into the likeness of the glorious image of Christ. Many books in the past decade have confronted the topic of spiritual formation/spiritual disciplines. Some have broached the topic of the virtues. No other book has so biblically and practically addressed both together. Chapter by chapter, virtue by virtue, Thomas, like a master teacher, describes what the virtue is, then details the biblical and historical means to developing those virtues.

"Embracing the Virtues of Christ" empowers readers to develop the spiritual disciplines that lead to the spiritual formation of the following core spiritual virtues: humility, surrender, detachment, love, chastity, generosity, vigilance, patience, discernment, thankfulness, gentleness, fortitude, obedience, and penitence. "The Glorious Pursuit" shows you how you can cooperate with the grace and resurrection power of Christ as He orchestrates the formation of your inner life increasingly into alignment with His inner life.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Biblical Psychology," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Work On A Neglected Topic, March 17, 2008

By 

Phillip H. Steiger (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ (Paperback)

"The Glorious Pursuit" is a wonderful treatment of the importance of the Christian virtues, and a great work on the details of those virtues. The virtues in this view are not matters of moralism or character legalism. Thomas believes that we can surrender to the presence of God through the activities of the virtues. To engage our characters in this way is to allow Christ to have the right-of-way in our lives.

After an introductory section, Thomas deals with several Christian virtues one by one. Wisely, he devotes his first two chapters to humility. Without the proper foundation of humility, nothing else will fall into place. Each chapter is easy to read, short enough to read in one devotional sitting, and ends with some thoughts on practical steps we can take.

I especially appreciated his reliance on several of the ancient and not-so-modern Church leaders in this field, and his incorporation of solid current thinking on the subject.

This would make a great introduction and devotional work concerning the virtuous Christian life.