, uniquely and eloquently combines the seven deadly sins with the seven beatitudes.
What Seven does is combine something we need to repent from with
something we need as a virtue. Instead of leaving a person feeling
guilty, as so many of the studies of the seven deadlies do, this book
stiff arms us a bit and then points us to the way of Jesus.
I recommend this book for church small groups, for college groups interested in exploring Christian morality, and to anyone who needs a good reminder of our moral calling. The prose is gentle and informed and accessible; the quotes very good; the stories exceptional.
Notice how he puts them together:
Pride and the poor in spirit
Envy and the mourner
Sloth and those who hunger for a life made right
Greed and the mercy giver
Lust and the pure of heart
Wrath and the meek peacemaker
Gluttony and the persecuted
I recommend this book for church small groups, for college groups interested in exploring Christian morality, and to anyone who needs a good reminder of our moral calling. The prose is gentle and informed and accessible; the quotes very good; the stories exceptional.
Notice how he puts them together:
Pride and the poor in spirit
Envy and the mourner
Sloth and those who hunger for a life made right
Greed and the mercy giver
Lust and the pure of heart
Wrath and the meek peacemaker
Gluttony and the persecuted
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Agree! I recently read this book, and kept thinking about what a great tool it would be for a small group.
Interesting. My favorite book on the topic is actually an illustrated children's book called Seven Lonely Places, Seven Warm Places. It explores the vices and virtues in tangible ways for children. My daughter loves it.
Peter Kreeft has a similar book.
Back to Virtue: Traditional Moral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion
How do these two books compare in terms of content and usefulness?
... Paul
Scot, Thanks for the endorsement!
Paul, I used and tried to build on Kreeft's work in Seven. Where Kreeft viewed these pairings through a Medieval/Modern lense, incorporating a lot of Augustine, Aquinas, Kierkegaard, and Lewis in his take, I relied heavily on work done by contemporaries like Dallas Willard and Tom Wright. I also spend each chapter seeking to tease out Jesus’ take on the Seven Deadly Sins, specifically in his parables. Content-wise, these are some major differences. Kreeft did give a recommendation for the book (see the backcover).
On usefulness … um … buy it and let me know.
Be well!
Jeff
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