Rediscovering Humility: Why the Way Up is Down

by Christopher Hutchinson

Foreword by David Wells. Most of us value humility . . . especially in other people. But Jesus taught that humility is central to the Christian life. Author Christopher Hutchinson invites the church to follow Christ—both individually and corporately—in this high calling. A systematic and comprehensive treatment of this core tenant of Christianity, Rediscovering Humility is structured around the three times Jesus addresses the topic in Scripture—how it is found, embraced, and applied. This insightful resource should be required reading for all seminary students, so they can understand the pitfalls of leadership before they begin to pastor. Current pastors and church leaders will find Hutchinson’s critiques and suggestions helpful as they seek to create humble and healthy churches. Individuals who have lost an appreciation for humility as a central Christian virtue will be reminded of its value as the best way to grow closer to and more like Jesus. Humble Christians create healthy churches, but in today’s world of celebrity pastors and widening platforms, our churches are more than ever imitating the prideful methodologies of our culture. Through his critiques, Hutchinson also offers suggestions for how Christians can better practice and promote humility in our time. Offering a fresh and updated application of humility to our day, Hutchinson calls for a return to the path of humility as the one pilgrimage most necessary for Christian faith and life. By showing humility in in all its truth, beauty, and goodness, it becomes a value worth seeking—if never fully found—on this side of heaven

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2018

About the author

Chris grew up in Bethesda, MD, and is a graduate of Duke University ('89, A.B.), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary ('95, M.Div), and Bethesda Elementary ('79, Milk Monitor Honors).

Prior to seminary, Chris served in the U.S. Army as a Medical Service Corps officer, including a combat tour with the 24th Infantry Division (Mech) during Operation Desert Storm, 1991.

Fired from his first church just one year out of seminary, Chris then became an Associate Pastor in Statesboro, GA, where he served for seven years. In 2004, Chris became the Senior Pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA), in Blacksburg, VA, home of Virginia Tech.

Chris and his wife, Kirstan have two wonderful, creative daughters, one a graduate student in collaborative piano, and the other an undergraduate studying art. In his spare time, Chris enjoys swimming, reading history, watching soccer, trying to contra dance with his wife, and collecting out of print books by his favorite children's author, William Pene DuBois.

Reviews

[Joe Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give a 6th star, I would! Short and sweet, and as timely of a book as ever. Humility is the forgotten virtue of the church, and yet this book puts it at the very center of the Christian life. I will most likely RE-read the chapter on Christian leadership and humility every year from now on!

[Elizabeth Mindemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. I need to read it a few times a year. A mirror forcing the reader to ask herself or himself if they reflect the Jesus Christ of the Bible. Excellent reminders of what followers of Christ should look like inside and out. Great at helping the reader take a deep look at themselves, their ministries and church. Scripture talks so much about Christ’s humility and how believers should grow in humility as they grow more like Christ. Every leader, elder, pastor and follower of Christ should read this book.

[Persis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overlooked but necessary (perhaps THE) virtue of the Christian life that touches every aspect of our lives individually and corporately. This book was convicting, encouraging, and pointed the reader to Christ and the gospel as the only means whereby we are able to be humble. I recommend this for believers and pastors.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only came across this book because I know Chris Hutchinson through Twitter. When several of the people who follow him started talking with enthusiasm about his book, I bought a copy. I'm glad I did.
You might feel Hutchinson has only one point to make, that humility is the centre of the Christian life as it's practiced, and we lead to understand this and work it into our lives. Pride, boasting and the like are its antithesis, and God frequently talks throughout the Bible about hating the proud, or warning those who are proud to change their ways.
We think that pride and arrogance and boasting are the modus operandi of celebrities and the like. Hutchinson shows how they're at the centre of even the most ordinary person's life too, and that they will lead to our downfall if not dealt with.
This is a great book, and deserves to be frequently read. I've already snaffled some parts of it and put them in a place where I can read them daily. It helps!

25.9.24 - Just finished reading this, slowly, for the third time. Remains a great book.

[Jonathan Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful for Christopher Hutchinson. This book could not have been written by a more qualified person on humility. I had the privilege of sitting under Chris for many years. He came alongside my wife and I while we were newly weds. My observations of his words and actions are definitely described as humble. This book is going on my read once a year list.

[Tony Brott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and thorough

This little book on humility explores this quiet, but important virtue for all believers in Christ. There may be deeper explorations elsewhere, but this one is accessible and helpful.

[Chase Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great comprehensive, applicable, and truthful book on humility. Organization was awful. Author randomly spouted thoughts that I had a difficult time connecting to the subject, despite their brilliance. I spent hours after reading just to collect my thoughts and understand what I learned and took away from reading it.
The book itself focuses on four questions: what is humility, what is not humility, what does it look like, and how to get it. If only the author organized the book down in a similar fashion, it could have been five stars! Below I'll list some of the key points or truths that I personally took away from the book.

- Humility is not a demeanor, or self-deprecation
- Rules provide an outward, not inward, appearance of humility
- Peter repents when publicly confronted about sin from Paul, something incredibly humble
- Ask yourself, what should humility look like in my life? Am I open to correction? What pride is stopping me?
- Don't make God just your buddy, it'll ruin the large moral gap, and lower humility
- You're encouraged to be humble, to admit you're wrong, and to say that you don't know or understand
- Remember the Lord gave you your place, so give honor to him. Forget your own excellence, focus on others
- In your weariness, remember the gifts you are storing in heaven
- Labor to not take or give offense, and be more offended by your own sin than others
- Know you're not above in ministering to the KKK, or the worst among you

There's many more, but those were some of my favorites. Despite its lack of organization, I encourage others to rediscover their humility through reading this.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart, so good.