The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life
Overview
What is happiness? The immediate gratification of our physical and emotional desires? A sense of satisfaction brought about through consumerism or other promises of short-term enjoyment?
Our twenty-first-century views of happiness are not what the writers of the Bible had in mind. Nor are they what the ancient Greeks or the drafters of the Declaration of Independence envisioned. Such false ideas of happiness always leave us empty, chasing the selfish and superficial. Authors J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler illustrate how we are happy only when we pursue a transcendent purpose—something larger than ourselves. This pursuit involves a deeply meaningful relationship with God through a selfless preoccupation with the spiritual disciplines.
The Last Virtue of Happiness takes a fresh look at the spiritual disciplines, offering concrete examples of ways you can make them practical and life-transforming.
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- Illustrates the importance of spiritual disciplines
- Provides practical tools for incorporating spiritual disciplines in daily Christian living
- Focuses on the value of happiness in spirituality
- Today’s Confusion about Happiness
- Gaining Happiness by Losing Your Life
- Forming a Tender, Receptive Heart
- Forming a Thoughtful Mind Stayed on God
- Forming a Trusting Will That Risks with God
- Embracing the Hiddenness of God
- Defeating Two Hardships of Life: Anxiety and Depression
- Cultivating Spiritual Friendships
Top Highlights
“1. The empty self is inordinately individualistic.” (Page 18)
“Taking up our cross daily means to form the habit of going through our day with a certain orientation and attitude, namely, with a passion to give up our right to make ourselves the center of concern that day. Rather we live for God’s kingdom, finding our place in His unfolding plan and playing our role well as we give our life away to others for Christ’s sake.” (Page 30)
“A habit is an ingrained tendency to act, think, or feel a certain way without needing to choose to do so.” (Page 43)
“Character is the sum total of your habits, good and bad.” (Page 43)
“Christianity is an aesthetic religion (a faithful pursuit of the glory of God) whose transforming power is tapped by regular and rigorous discipline and self-denial, done in constant dependence on the filling and power of the Holy Spirit.” (Page 39)
This is a rare book. It manages to be biblical, deep, understandable, engaging, and practical all at the same time. As few books are, this one is worth contemplating, discussing, and putting into practice. I highly recommend it.
—Randy Alcorn, author, Heaven
The Lost Virtue of Happiness is rich in practical wisdom. It encourages us to embrace the way of other-centered self-denial springing from the practice of God’s presence and vital trust in Him.
—Kenneth Boa, president, Reflections Ministries
Myriad empirical studies underscore the fact that happiness is a highly valued virtue in our world today. This handbook to happiness begins with the ultimate biblical truth: to gain your life you need to lose it.
—Luis Bush, international facilitator, Transform World Connections
- Title: The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life
- Authors: J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler
- Publisher: NavPress
- Publication Date: 2006
- Pages: 217
J. P. Moreland is a distinguished professor of philosophy at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology, and the director of Eidos Christian Center. He has written more than 100 articles in magazines and journals and authored or coauthored over 20 books, including Love Your God with All Your Mind and Smart Faith.
About Klaus Issler
Klaus Issler is a professor of Christian education and theology at Talbot School of Theology. He has written two textbooks in the field of Christian education and one on spirituality and formation, the latter titled Wasting Time with God. He has served as a board member with an overseas mission agency, and he’s currently the book review editor for The Christian Education Journal.