Discovering the Way of Wisdom (Paperback)

by Edward M. Curtis (Author), John J. Brugaletta (Author)
Key Phrases: becoming surety, moral governance, living wisely, Old Testament, New Testament, Grand Rapids (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This is a very helpful, insightful, and practical look at models for spiritual growth found in the wisdom books of the Old Testament. With clarity and depth, the authors explore essential principles for spiritual growth including developing self-control, nurturing good relationships, practicing fairness and justice, speaking appropriately, and responding properly to difficulty and suffering. A book worthy of consideration to help meet the day by day needs of your people." (Maynard Belt Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches )

"This is one of those books that enrich our understanding of the Old Testament while providing a greater understanding of the New. It combines excellent scholarship with amazing read-ability, a combination that is difficult to achieve. Particularly impressive is the way the authors show the importance of the wisdom literature and the number of times Jesus taught directly or indirectly from that part of the Old Testament." (C.B.M. Church Libraries )

Product Description
An insightful and practical look at patterns for contemporary spiritual growth found in the wisdom of the Old Testament. (20050301)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional (August 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424046
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424045
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,520 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is Wisdom to be Found?, May 7, 2007

By	H. G. Scott (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let's face it. In contemporary culture, the virtue of wisdom is not a hot commodity. But if Edward Curtis and John J. Brugaletta are right, it should be, especially for Christians struggling to live out their faith in their own difficult context. According to Curtis and Brugaletta:

"Living wisely means receiving power from God to live and act as He designed us to live and act. He does not always tell us what choices to make. That is why He gave us the power to reason; He wants us to make some of the decisions. But He wants us to make them with Him at the center of our decision-making faculty, and thus according to His will and truth. That is what is meant by deciding wisely" (p. 16).

In "Discovering the Way of Wisdom", Curtis and Brugletta argue that the wisdom portions of Scripture (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) are not, as many have thought, irrelevant to matters of faith, but rather are indispensable resources for helping a person to live well and wisely in the world.

"Discovering the Way of Wisdom" is comprised of ten chapters. In the first five chapters, the authors set up their argument for how the Old Testament Wisdom Literature is relevant and foundational to our spiritual lives. They show how wisdom interplays with a variety of areas in our practical, everyday life, including the areas of finances, emotions, relationships, priorities, and personal life goals. The final ten chapters are a roadmap to how you can begin cultivating wisdom in your own life, beginning with, of course, the fear of the Lord, the reading of Scripture, the practice of meditation, understanding the role of suffering in spiritual growth, and the importance of acknowledging and accepting certain mysteries in life. At the end of each chapter, the authors provide questions for further thought and reflection.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I was challenged to examine how wisely I conducted my own life and how I can grow in the future. "Discovering the Way of Wisdom" is the type of book you'll want to read and reread in order to fully digest all that Curtis and Brugaletta are trying to communicate.

A wise purchase indeed.