Customer Reviews

The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ

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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.

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."

"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.

I am very glad that I read this book. I have been recommending it to my closest friends. I met Gary and his wonderful wife in Virginia last year and found him personally "in synch" with this terrific book. High integrity.

Very challenging and inspirational. This is one of the best and most helpful books I've ever read. After initially reading it, I have gone back to reread a small portion every day.

This scripturally based journey through the person of Christ is fundamentally sound and so important to our daily walk today. Jesus calls us to follow him, to model him...so what does that look like? This book outlines not only what it looks like but practical steps to follow as we pursue that glory -- hence the name.

Easy to read, interesting and well thought out into each virtue, this book was instrumental in an amazing moving of God in my life and in the life of my LifeGroup several years ago. Highly recommended.

This is the best book on spirituality that I've ever read. It is the solid food that we need to grow that Paul is talking about instead of milk. It has helped me and so many of my friends grow in their walk with God. The book is also great for small group study and discussion.

I absolutely loved this book, from the moment I picked it up. Take a pen and a hiliter,, use this book to make a difference in your life. It is written well, you are brought in and it impacts you. It is humbling, encouragine, motivating. A must read. Thank you Gary Thomas for this book!! It points you to Jesus and who HE truly is.

The beauty of this book is the simplicity in which the material is presented. The author, Gary Thomas illustrates easily the virtues of Christ and the ways of incorporating them into daily life in order to grow spiritually. Thomas borrows a lot from St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila and most of all, from John Climacus. (He freely admits his sources, as well) This book, though, is much more accessible in its writing to the common reader. My only complaint is that the author tends to stretch metaphors to the breaking point where the comparison is almost silly sometimes. It does not detract from the book, though. For anyone who enjoyed this book, I would recommend the Ascent of Mt. Carmel and Dark night of the soul by St. John of the Cross, Interior Castle by St. Theresa of Avila, and The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus.