Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness [Paperback]

David K. Naugle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2008

If we have a particle of sense, St. Augustine said, we realize that we all want to be happy. In fact, we were designed to crave happiness - human happiness was actually Gods original idea. Why is it, then, that it so often cannot be found? Are we looking in the wrong places? David K. Naugle begins with the biblical creation account, arguing that Gods plan for happiness was based around a loving relationship with the Creator, our work, relationships, food, rest and recreation, homes and habitats - an edenistic happiness called shalom. Then the plan went wrong: man sinned against God. Now separate from the Creator, man attached his loves in excessive ways to various things to fill the need for that perfect love now missing. Yet while searching for that happiness, our disordered loves have disordered our lives. Our quest for happiness results in misery. Only the restoration of a loving relationship with God can bring us back into shalom. Naugle here presents a counter cultural - both secular and church culture - view of happiness, drawing us back to the original and perfect model we must strive for. Reordered Love, Reordered Lives points readers to the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to discover the truly happy life in God.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Human beings are constantly searching for happiness, but too often seek it from insufficient and disappointing sources. This is the message that Naugle, professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, eloquently presents. He argues that human beings have always searched for happiness, but come up empty most of the time because we cling to things of the created world rather than to the Creator. His prose is engaging, peppered with intriguing quotes from pop culture books, music and movies that propel his exposition along. The author's discussion of virtues is particularly compelling, and his presentation breathes new life into this topic. Many Christians will enjoy this book and be renewed in their quest for true happiness. Others will not, given the author's insistence that accepting Jesus is the only way to real happiness. In a religiously pluralistic world, the wisdom of Christianity can be shared with everyone if presented correctly. While the author lost that opportunity here, he is able to capture the sense of longing to live for something greater than themselves that so many feel, regardless of their religious views. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (November 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802828175
• ISBN-13: 978-0802828170
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,888 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

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat of a disappointment, July 5, 2011

By 

David G. Moore "Author advocate" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness (Paperback)

I have read a number of Naugle's essays and find them unfailingly brilliant. I really wanted to like this book as Augustine is a favorite area of study. Some of my disappointment may be due to my own familiarity with the subject, so this can still be a good introduction to Augustine.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good hodge podge, June 8, 2009

By 

Jeffrey A. Thompson (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learning the Deep Meaning of Happiness (Paperback)

I heard professor Naugle interviewed on Mars Hill Audio. He talked about the seven vices and the seven virtues. I was intrigued so I ordered the book. The book had quotes from Schaefer, C. S. Lewis, Plato, Aristotle, N. T. Wright, Kathleen Norris and a host of others. No one could doubt that Naugle is well read.

The problem with the book is that it comes across at times as a mixed bag of common evangelical maxims for living the Christian life. The book is so peppered with quotes that I lost the argument at times. Most of the quotes I have seen multiple times before in other books. Most of the advice on the Christian walk I have seen in other better books.

The book is good. The doctrine seems mostly sound. It is far deeper than most of the drivel written this century. It is good to be reminded of the spiritual disciplines and how our lives should be ordered around Christ. He quotes so many authors that he does bring up some new perspectives on the old truths. I recommend the book, but there is nothing here that you couldn't get from better authors like Lewis, Schaefer and Richard Foster. This book might be a good starting point to the old masters.