Humility: True Greatness

This is a short but convicting book. It was required reading for one of my husband's seminary courses this last semester. When he was finished he left it on my desk to read. I wish I had read it 14 years ago when we first entered the ministry - or at least 8 years ago when he surrendered to full time Pastorate. But then God's timing is perfect and maybe at that time I was not ready for such a sincere and convicting book. This is one that will truly make you stop and take a look at your life, your motives, your thoughts, and your Christian walk. Paired with a powerful sermon that was preached at a conference recently this message has been hard to forget!

Humility True Greatness, C.J. Mahaney, Multnomah, 2005, 174 pages.

C.J. Mahaney wrote a deceptively small book that is packed with a fantastic amount of truth in it. Truth that will cut to the bone and to the heart, every page confronts the reader with the reality that humility is not a heart beat that any of us have in ourselves naturally.

Despite this reality, Mahaney writes a book that first creates a desire in the readers heart to grow in humility, and to put to death pride. The entire first section of the book is all about that very issue: Humility vs. Pride. On page 29 a wonderful quote from John Stott does a great job of describing this battle; “At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian show more discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.”

The book continues into a study on Jesus Christ and the example of perfect humility that he was and is for us. From there Mahaney heads for the heart. The final section of the book is a chapter by chapter run through a variety of steps and practises we can take in our lives to develop humility. Not that developing it can be a pursuit that we can take pride in, that would defeat the purpose of humility all together!

This is a book I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND to everyone and anyone! show less

The market isn't flooded with books on humility, but this is the best I've read on the subject. Very practical suggestions for cultivating humility litter the book. Given the universality of the problem Mahaney addresses (pride), the book is immediately relevant to every reader.

What a great book! Mahaney opens with a comparison of pride and humility, and the respective dangers and blessing associated. Based in Scripture and balanced with anecdotes and examples, true greatness and practical ways of cultivating humility are discussed. While it is a short book, it is full of great info and applications. It is not so long as to be repetitive, and just long enough to keep your focus and get the point across. Recommended for any Christian looking to follow the Master more closely

Excellent popular treatment on humility. Fun and convicting chock full of great quotes.

This is a fantastic book. Very well written, extremely convicting and very encouraging. Highly recommended for church leaders. Would make a great gift as well, to young adults.

Essential reading for everybody. He does an excellent job of explaining the danger of pride, the benefit and importance of humility, and he suggests several good methods for weakening pride and cultivating humility. excellent, excellent, excellent.