Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life

by J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Klaus Dieter Issler

Book Overview

We are only happy when we pursue a transcendent purpose, something larger than ourselves. This pursuit involves a deeply meaningful relationship with God by committed participation in the spiritual disciplines.

The Lost Virtue of Happiness takes a fresh, meaningful look at the spiritual disciplines, offering concrete examples of ways you can make them practical and life-transforming.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576836487
• ISBN13: 9781576836484
• Release Date: July 2016
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 4.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Challenging but certainly worth the read

It is uncommon these days to see Christians who actually know what they believe and why they believe it. Furthermore, because they do not have any idea about the truths (truth in the old sense not the postmodern sense) that they profess to believe there is often a wholesale disconnect between what they say they believe (Christianity) and how they live their lives. Not knowing the scriptures that help to inform them of God's will for their lives, many Christians profess yet live frighteningly shallow lives spiritually. This book is a cure for that. It forces the Christian reading it to come to grips with the idea that if we profess Jesus as savior, that our lives MUST reflect a creedal, scriptural and God fearing way of life that shows everyone around them that Jesus is number one in their life and that His glory is their aim. I mentioned in the title that this book is challenging. That is hardly surprising in that it challenges the reader to throw off old habits and to resist the sin nature in us. It also calls us to better uses of our time for the glory of God. As we all grapple with our sin nature, which of us would not struggle with this? Yet despite the times I wanted to throw this book against the wall in frustration (because I often fall so short of what God calls us to) I have found it to be an excellent addition to my library.

Relevant, Biblical, Practical, Personal

The Lost Virtue of Happiness contains biblical wisdom applicable to everyday living. As a relationship counselor (marriage/family therapist), it was refreshing to read a book written by credible theologians that I can recommend. All too often am I working with clients that are chasing after life's 'happiness' with unrealistic expections. These expectations impinge on others who cannot meet the criteria, causing frustration and anxiety that lead to broken self and broken relationships. Returning to a biblical definition of happiness, combined with practical spiritual disciplines, the authors lead us back to a healthy relationship with Christ and others. I especially appreciated the personal testimonies of the authors. They are examples of stories I hear often in my practice. Moreland's experience with depression and anxiety is extremely common and is treated therapeutically by the steps outlined in the book. It behooves the church, especially those in counseling positions, to gain this understanding. The questions for personal reflection at the end of each chapter make the book perfect for a small group study or for personal edification. I expect that this book will be pulled from my bookshelf often as I share life's hurts and healing with others.

HAPPINESS: The Way it Was Meant to Be

JP Moreland and Klaus Issler ransom the contemporary idea of "happiness" from the obsessive, authoritarian grips of pleasure-seeking narcissism, and cleanse it with biblical counsel, Spirit-led wisdom, pastoral insight, and the demonstrable lessons of their own life lived in the fellowship of others. Their thesis is articulated in eight life-empowering chapters, which claims that happiness is best understood and obtained if it means living our life as it is meant to flourish. We are meant to flourish in a life of character and virtue formation that manifests itself in wisdom, kindness and goodness (25). The life of Jesus Christ and the gospel of the kingdom of God are both the indispensable model and means for obtaining this kind of abundant life. Chapter One and Two both (authored by Moreland) establish this foundational claim. Chapter Three (Issler), Four (Moreland) and Five (Issler) form a unit to give clear instruction and pastoral insight about how to get good at living this kind of life: Namely, form a tender, receptive heart (ch. 3); form a thoughtful mind stayed on God (ch. 4); form a trustful will that risks with God (ch. 5). With the foundation laid in chapters one and two, and the edifice formed in chapters three, four and five, this house of edification is nearly complete. But first, Chapter Six (Issler) and Seven (Moreland) tests a biblical conception of human flourishing in light of the so-called "hiddennes of God" (ch. 6) and in view of experiencing anxiety and depression (ch. 7). These two chapters form a potent unit of instruction and insight, encouraging the reader to embrace the reality of God's hiddenness and to learn not to just "cope" with anxiety and depression but to actually defeat its control over one's ability to flourish. I found these chapters to be liberating, helpful, and truthfully conveyed. Moreland openly shares his experience and defeat of anxiety and depression. This testimony should encourage anyone who is afflicted with such struggle. Lastly, Chapter Eight (Issler) caps the entire discussion of the book with a focus on "cultivating spiritual friendships." Topically, I would expect Chapters Three, Four and Five to be part of a book on spiritual formation, even though the authors offer a decisively unique perspective on these topics. However, it is Chapters Six and Seven that make the book all the more accessible and authoritative. For these chapters demonstrate that the ideas conveyed in the previous chapters are not only true, but because they are true, they actually work and are livable even in the crucible of life's most desperate circumstances. Structurally, each chapter faithfully maintains a length of 24 pages. This consistency appropriately informs the reader's attention and forms the reader's expectation. This prudential proportionality of space demonstrates that the authors do not overstate or understate one topic over another. Visually, the text actually appeals to the eyes. The lines have gener

A challenging book that can stabilize a floundering life

This book is a concise integrative study contrasting a shallow short-sighted commonly-held view of happiness with the grounding nurturing notion of happiness that has guided mature Christians in all ages. The book is personal, candid, and broadly informed. It discusses biblical principles as well as comments from wise observers of life throughout history. There are discussion questions which can guide group use of this book. Highly Recommended.

Discovering a Lost Virtue

This book combines a tenderness of heart with a sharpness of mind in pursuit of God that is unique among spiritual formation books. One of the first points made in the book is the difference between our modern concept of happiness and the virtue of happiness. The difference is an important factor in living the life God intends for us. Modern happiness is a feeling, usually a feeling of pleasure. The problem is that as a goal in and of itself it is usually fleeting and out of grasp. But the virtue of happiness is the byproduct of a life well-lived. Moreland quotes Plato, "There is no question which a man of any sense could take more seriously than...what kind of life one should live." If God has made us, He has made us to flourish in a certain way. Part of the problem with our modern notion of happiness isn't that it's fleeting, but that is is too small. "Remember, the concept of eternal life in the New Testament is not primarily one of living forever in heaven, but of having a new kind of life now. This new kind of life is so different that those without it can be called dead, truly. This is a life of human flourishing; a life lived the way we were made to function; a life of virtue, character, and well-being lived like and for the Lord Jesus." We are happy only when we pursue the transcendent purpose God has made us for, and this involves a deep relationship with God. While the idea of happiness as a virtue may not be a new idea, what I found insightful about this book is the advice on how to pursue spiritual disciplines to practice happiness. Sharing from their personal experiences, Moreland and Issler give practical advice and suggestions on how to nurture the virtue of happiness, a byproduct of loving God. They take that rather abstract idea and provide specific guidance on the spiritual disciplines that will help us to flourish as God made us to.