Product Description

Gary Thomas issues a passionate manifesto of faith fully alive. The Beautiful Fight calls us beyond mere sin-avoidance to a robust holiness that radiates Christ through every aspect of our being. To see with Christ’s eyes, feel with Christ’s heart, and serve with Christ’s hands—this is what Christianity is truly about.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #287639 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780310272731
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling author Thomas (Sacred Marriage) based the title for this book on the way Orthodox Christian fathers translated Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the Beautiful Fight. Thomas is concerned that Christians often focus on mere morality and wants to introduce readers to a more experiential, compelling Christianity that focuses on transformation, not simply conduct. This Christianity emphasizes the ascension of Christ, the presence of Christ with us, the need to listen to God daily and the fact that God is already on our side—we do not need to earn his favor, although our actions can please him. Walking through this spiritual primer, Thomas addresses a range of attitudes and actions that contribute to Christ-like living. He draws on the stories and teachings of Christians past and present, including St. Francis, Teresa of Ávila, John Calvin, C.S. Lewis and J.I. Packer. Well written, this is largely very familiar evangelical teaching with a subtle shift. Thomas may have done better to focus more on his distinctions with traditional evangelical thought, though readers will likely welcome his valuable perspective on living the Christian life. (Nov.)
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From the Back Cover
In a groundbreaking book that rethinks spiritual formation, Gary Thomas argues that the contemporary church is in danger of accepting Christianity as a historical reality but not as a present power. Is the grace that pardons powerful enough to transform? Answering with a resounding yes, Thomas presents a compelling picture of what it means to be a “God oasis” in a God-forgetting world. “The first chapter alone is worth reading many times. This is beauty and struggle. This is the death that leads to life.” John Ortberg, Pastor and Author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church “Set this book down … slowly … turn around … and run away … unless you hunger for a deeper vision of faith and thirst for genuine life transformation … if you do, read on.” Kevin Harney, Pastor and Author “Once again, Gary Thomas challenges me to live passionately for God and to apply his transforming power to my daily decisions.” Kay Warren, Executive Director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback Church The Beautiful Fight will energize your life and your church. It will inspire you, equip you, and challenge you to delve ever deeper into what it means to be a truly holy believer, transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Discover just how radical Christian transformation can be, as you learn to see with new eyes, think with a new mind, and feel with a new heart. Thomas rallies you to the Beautiful Fight—the struggle to fully express the wonder and life-changing power of Christ in this world through every aspect of who you are.

About the Author
Gary Thomas is a writer and founder of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality. He is the author of several books including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Holy Available, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith.

Gary Thomas está cambiando la manera que los cristianos miran a la unión y crianza de los hijos. El autor de muchos libros, enseña a /western Seminary en Portland, Oregon. Sus libros y ministerio en la formación espiritual; cómo podemos integrar Scripture, historia de la iglesia, y la sabiduría tiempo-probada de las obras clásicas cristianas para transformar nuestra experiencia moderna. El ministerio de discurso de Gary lo ha conducido a hablar a través de los Estados Unidos, en cuatro diversos países, y en la televisión nacional numerosa y los programas de radio, incluyendo foco en la familia y la vida de familia hoy. Él vive con su esposa y hijos en Bellingham, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Substantive to the End!
Although this book has a common theme (our constant struggle for personal holiness), every page contains book-dropping principles that I wanted to stop and ponder at the implications for my life. Unlike so many popular Christian books that have only one or two great precepts surounded by a tremendous amount of page-filling fluff, "The Beautiful Fight" is substantive to the end. It will challenge new Christians in their faith and also awaken those believers who consider their faith to be strong, to shake off any further sluggishness. I am no "Oprah", but as a pastor, I am looking for ways that I can get our congregation to read it. Next month, I plan to lead our elders through a study of it together, using the questions for discussion and reflection that are found in the appendix at the end of the book.

This new book should become a classic, but don't wait to read it!
I've been reading The Beautiful Fight in pieces every night. It is too good to read quickly. The book is packed with wisdom from numerous spiritual leaders of old, as well as the author's own compelling insights from his life and passion for running "the only race worth running" or in this case, fighting "the beautiful fight".

The author is well-studied, real and vulnerable. Everything in this book rings true and yet there are wonderful interpretations of scripture I've never come across before--even in my many years of practicing my faith. I suspect The Beautiful Fight will become a classic. It is deep but it also contains practical details that have already helped me make a few decisions and be more compassionate to a neighbor. When I finish reading it, I plan on rereading it!

Beautiful Spirituality
This newest book from one of Evangelicalism's finest authors on spiritual formation, Gary Thomas, is excellent - one of the best books I've read this year. Thomas takes a fresh look at living a God-empowered life that is grounded in the doctrine of Christ's bodily ascension. Drawing on insights from Evangelical, Reformed, Orthodox, and Catholic traditions, Thomas shows how God's presence can change the way we use our eyes and ears, hands and feet, minds and hearts. The Beautiful Fight is a beautiful book about a beautiful spirituality of "full-bodied faith." I could barely put this book down and walked away freshly convicted, challenged, and encouraged. Having now read several of Thomas's books, I think this is my favorite to date. Treat yourself to a banquet of spiritual delights and get this book!