57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gospel Poverty: America's Nemesis, April 9, 2003
This review is from: Happy Are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom (Paperback)
With its message right out of the bible itself, Happy Are You Poor addresses the most ignored of all of Christ's teachings: evangelical gospel poverty. Throughout its pages, Dubay carefully illustrates how the American ideals of wealth and success have had many consequences for contemporary Christians: a willingness to ignore the many unambiguous biblical texts denouncing wealth, the loss of joy as mammon replaces God, and how affluent Christians remain a mockery to pagans, who know the real thing when they see it.
Dubay begins by laying out clear definitions and premises, and then moves on to practical examples and lifestyle changes. However, he never strays far from his central theme of how salvation and wealth don't mix. An example: "The main problem in developing a deep prayer life is by far the failure to live the radicality of the Gospel, hour by hour and day by day."
For those interested in a ringing biblical response to the modern American gospel of health-and-wealth, Dubay does it best. But more importantly, he inspires one to find joy in Christ rather than in the world by showing how God has indeed done as promised and `sent the rich away empty'.
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62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly convicting, and encouraging, January 20, 2005
This review is from: Happy Are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom (Paperback)
Just over a week ago, Fr. Dubay was in my hometown, giving a retreat at one of the local Catholic Churches. The topic was the same as that of this book: Gospel poverty. Due to my erradic work schedule, I was unable to attend the retreat. However, most of the people I know who attended, read this book long before the retreat, and all of them, unequivocally, have recommended the book. I began the book last Friday, and finished it last night. In short: I couldn't put it down.
I am not saying that I enjoyed this book, with it's "hard-as-nails" challenging, yet ever so true, message. If I were to say that I am not attached to my music and movies, to my clothing outfits, to my hairstyles, and what not, I would be guilty of one of the seven deadly sins: lying. Although, I, like most people, I'm sure, would claim to own my things, rather than my things owning me. However, upon reading this book, a reality known as conviction knocked on my door, and has contributed to the ongoing process of crumbling away the demonic sin from my life: pride.
I will say it again, as I said to my roommate last night: This book was a marvelous read (as it was marvelously written), and rang ever so true in my ears. Yet, it was anything but an easy read. I emphatically did NOT enjoy being convicted, quite simply because I, like most Americans, do NOT want to be told that I, in any sense whatsoever, am wrong. As the shoddy philosophy of our day goes: "It's not right to say that some things are not right." I denounce that philosophy, yet I live by it every day. This book helped reveal that to me.
I think a lot of Protestants would be wise to read this book, as many of the Churches have been poisoned by the health and wealth heresy. As I heard some preacher say on TV, "You can tell whom God has blessed by looking at the size of their houses, and the shiny hue on their cars, and the size of their bank accounts!" And of course, the whole congregation was all emotional, and in tears, with hands a-raised, and shouting, "Amen, Jesus! Praise You Jesus!" People that live on emotions, a movement dubbed as emotionalism, make me cringe.
Perhaps I'm being a wee bit too caustic; perhaps not. Regardless, America and the rest of this fallen world are precisely fallen, unsaved, and what not, precisely because people like me fail to live to the Gospel in all of it's radicality, day in and day out, 24/7. No, I take that back. It's not a matter of "failing" to live it, because to fail at something means that one is trying. For me to say that I try would again, in my estimation, make me guilty of that very same seven deadly sin I mentioned above: lying. I am Mr. Intellectual, and that is mainly all my faith is. This book has moved me in such a way that I am tired of the banal Christian life. What it really boils down to for myself, and probably most non-radical Christians, is fear of what people will think. Ultimately, shame. And, we would be wise to hark to the fore of our minds the words of Christ, "If you are ashamed of me before people, I will be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven."
Cocamo Joe
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52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book will challenge you to sainthood!, June 29, 2005
This review is from: Happy Are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom (Paperback)
What does Christ really expect of us when He instructs those who would be His disciples to give up their worldly possessions (e.g., Mt 19:21-24)? If you're like me, you've always gotten a little nervous around passages like these and maybe you try not to think about them.
But everyone concerned about living an authentically Christian life should read Fr. Dubay's "Happy Are You Poor". It's a personally challenging exploration of the meaning of the virtue of poverty ("Blessed are the poor"). That is to say, it will challenge you to deepen your commitment to Christ and His Kingdom.
Fr. Dubay tells us flat out that he thinks we ought to hear the true message of Gospel poverty that too many are afraid to proclaim (or practice): Christians must lead radically simple, frugal, and charitable lives. Demonstrated through Scripture and most prominantly through the lives of the saints, Fr. Dubay's book is a formidable challenge to our current lifestyles.
The first four chapters of "Happy Are You Poor", which comprises "part one", are almost entirely preliminary (and mostly boring). In them, Fr. Dubay (rightly) pleads with readers to approach his book prayerfully and with an openness to correction and admonishment. He spends a long time lamenting the fact that the virtue of poverty has been watered down by many good natured folks trying to make sense of their religious vows. They reduce saintly poverty (to which we are all called) to a vague sense of "detachment" from material goods or to an "availability to others" with one's time and self. The book is largely geared toward that audience -- those who have previously misinterpreted Gospel poverty.
But then he goes on to describe Gospel poverty, and its concrete demands based upon each state of life (married, single, celibate, vowed, etc.). This part is invaluable, no matter who you are. Before you know it, you'll be seriously considering lifestyle changes (for the greater glory of God!) that you wouldn't have before. Fr. Dubay even includes an examen in the back of the book for personal reflection and growth.
This is a topic that needs to be discussed more. If anything, the possibility that this is God's will for you should be reason enough to buy this book. Indeed, He calls all of us to the virtue of poverty. How are you living it?
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