Book Review - Humility: True Greatness

This book has truly been a blessing in my life. So thus, let's get to the basics:

Title: Humility: True Greatness

Author: C.J. Mahaney

Publisher: Multnomah

Pages: 172

Although this book is 172 pages, it is quite the quick read. It is smaller than a regular book, so it's really about 90 regular sized pages. You could say that it is 'short and sweet'. You could also say it's quick to the point. 

So who's C.J. Mahaney? Well, he's a 57 year old leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries and former Pastor of Covenant Life Church. But the most important thing is that Mr.Mahaney is not humble. At least, that's what he would tell you. And thats one of the reasons he's well qualified to write this book.

Mahaney starts this book explaining the battle of Humility Versus Pride. Why battle? Because these are two things that go against each other. When one exists, the other cant. They cannot mix. So thus, the word battle. He then goes on to define humility and expound upon the perils of pride. It is captivating, really, the effects of pride. And as C.J quotes John Stott, "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy..." True.

And of course, C.J can't talk about something without mentioning Christ. That's just as he is. And so, he looks upon the example of Christ in many situations throughout the Gospels. It's not just the quoting of verses and mentioning, "Look how humble Jesus was here! We must be too!", but a really deep look upon the life of Jesus and how he acted. I thoroughly enjoyed it and trust you will too. 

All of that is good, but what about practical applications to our own lives? This is truly the meat of the book. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed it. Mr.Mahaney overviews how to practice humility as each day begins and ends. And of course, in between! It's not some list of disciplines to carry out (although you can look at it that way), but simple reminders. He includes chapters about encouraging others, finding grace in others, and more! All of it is about how to weaken pride ( our greatest enemy ) and to cultivate humility ( our greatest friend ). 

This book doesn't major on the minors. So if your looking for a book that describes acts of humility, or some list of how to be humble, you will not find it here. And vice-versa, he doesn't give you a list of acts that are 'proud'. He instead gives you tools and understanding to assess yourself and realize if your proud or not. Tools to cultivate humility inside out, not from the outside to the inside. 

This isn't some ancient tome of the theology of Christian humility ( although, it does include theology ), but more of a 'over some coffee' discussion. In a sense, the author is just 'down to earth', talking a lot about his own experiences. What does this do? It makes it very easy to relate.

All in all, this is a practical yet profound book. The information taught here is something I will carry for a lifetime. I give it a 9 out of 10 rating. Go out and buy it at your local bookstore or at Amazon. It will be worth the several hours of your life. So for closing, listen to what C.J has to say in the introduction of his book.

Writing about Humility is a humbling experience. Who wants to volunteer to write on this subject? Not me. There've been countless times while completing this book when I've been inspiring to think, You idiot! Why did you agree to do this? And I could entertain you for hours relating the comments and facial expressions of those who discovered I was authoring a work with this title.  I understand their reaction. If I met someone presuming to have something to say about humility, automatically I'd think him unqualified to speak on the subject.

So let me make this clear at the outset: I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God. I don't write as an authority of humility; I write as a fellow pilgrim walking with you on the path set for us by our humble Savior. I can only address you with confidence in the great and gracious God who has promised to give grace to the humble (see James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). That promise forms the heart of this book. And that promise is for every one of us who turns from his or her sins and trusts in the Savior.