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Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care
Understanding Apathy and How to Combat It
For many Christians, apathy can feel inescapable. They experience a lack of motivation and a growing indifference to important things, with some even struggling to care about anything at all. This listlessness can spill over into our spiritual lives, making it difficult to pray, read the Bible, or engage in our communities. Have we resigned ourselves to apathy? Do we recognize it as a sin? How can we fight against it?
In Overcoming Apathy, theology professor Uche Anizor explains what apathy is and gives practical, biblical advice to break the cycle. Inspired by his conversations with young Christians as well as his own experiences with apathy, Anizor takes a fresh look at this widespread problem and its effect on spiritual maturity. First, he highlights the prevalence of apathy in our culture, using examples from TV, movies, and social media. Next, he turns to theologians, philosophers, and psychologists to further define apathy. Finally, Anizor explores causes, cures, and healthy practices to boldly overcome apathy in daily life, taking believers from spiritual lethargy to Christian zeal. This short book is an excellent resource for those struggling with apathy as well as parents, mentors, and friends who want to support someone in need.
-- Explores the Individual and Cultural Experience of Apathy: Examines the nature and experience of apathy, drawing insights from Scripture, theology, popular culture, and more
-- Practical Steps for Dealing with Apathy: Identifies 7 causes as well as healthy habits to fight against indifference
-- Accessible for Students and Mentors: A great guide for high school and college students and those who counsel them; youth and young adult pastors; teachers; and anyone struggling with apathy or who knows someone who is
For many Christians, apathy can feel inescapable. They experience a lack of motivation and a growing indifference to important things, with some even struggling to care about anything at all. This listlessness can spill over into our spiritual lives, making it difficult to pray, read the Bible, or engage in our communities. Have we resigned ourselves to apathy? Do we recognize it as a sin? How can we fight against it?
In Overcoming Apathy, theology professor Uche Anizor explains what apathy is and gives practical, biblical advice to break the cycle. Inspired by his conversations with young Christians as well as his own experiences with apathy, Anizor takes a fresh look at this widespread problem and its effect on spiritual maturity. First, he highlights the prevalence of apathy in our culture, using examples from TV, movies, and social media. Next, he turns to theologians, philosophers, and psychologists to further define apathy. Finally, Anizor explores causes, cures, and healthy practices to boldly overcome apathy in daily life, taking believers from spiritual lethargy to Christian zeal. This short book is an excellent resource for those struggling with apathy as well as parents, mentors, and friends who want to support someone in need.
-- Explores the Individual and Cultural Experience of Apathy: Examines the nature and experience of apathy, drawing insights from Scripture, theology, popular culture, and more
-- Practical Steps for Dealing with Apathy: Identifies 7 causes as well as healthy habits to fight against indifference
-- Accessible for Students and Mentors: A great guide for high school and college students and those who counsel them; youth and young adult pastors; teachers; and anyone struggling with apathy or who knows someone who is
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2022
88 people are currently reading
1025 people want to read
About the author
Uche Anizor
11 books8 followersUche Anizor (PhD Wheaton) is Associate Professor of Theology at Biola University. His current interests include theological method, the theological interpretation of Scripture and the theology of Colin Gunton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
May 18, 2022
Apathy. It’s a word that is rarely used. Most people have little interest in admitting a propensity to apathy so it is best to set it aside. Uche Anizor is unwilling to ignore this problem that affects millions. Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care is an honest look at a serious problem.
Dr. Anizor sets his sights on spiritual apathy, or as he says, “indifference toward the core things that Christians should care about.” Anizor sets the stage by painting a bleak picture of the apathetic culture we find ourselves in. His concern is primarily a lack of spiritual zeal, what he helpfully defines as “spiritual intensity.” “Zeal,” writes Anizor “in the day-to-day is about being alive to the important things around us.” The remainder of the book highlights the massive problem of apathy that hinders so many people.
The author invites readers on a journey to the Greek world where he unpacks the term apetheia, which is loosely translated as “without passion.” The term, however, that best correlates to our current situation is the Greek word acedia, or “sloth.” The word means “indifference, apathy, exhaustion, or lethargy.” One writer refers to acedia as “the noonday demon.” This is the vice that plagues many people somewhere in the middle of the day. It is where laziness resides and lack of motivation takes root. “This unaddressed dis-ease is perfect soil for the devil to do his work.”
Depression, despondency, and dry spells are related to apathy and are explored in some detail. In the end, these vices steal our peace or what the Jewish writers call “shalom” and what Cornelius Plantinga refers to as “universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight - the way things were meant to be.”
Dr. Anizor explores the seven dead causes of apathy which include doubt, grief, triviality, feelings of inadequacy, lack of discipline, fragility, and lack of purpose.
An apathetic person may be described as a “weary soul” or a “flickering torch.” But Anizor is not content to let weary souls slide into hopelessness. He presents the cure for overcoming apathy, which is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed, “the gospel is a drama in which God is the lead actor. It is an announcement of what God has done in Christ and in the Spirit.” He reveals how apathy may be conquered, healed, and forgiven.
Finally, Dr. Anizor shows readers how to combat apathy. Man-centeredness is a dead end. The gospel is the cure. “All talk about practices, habits, and virtues is sub-Christian if it does not have at the forefront Christ’s work as well as the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Overcoming Anxiety: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care is thought-provoking, biblical, and deeply encouraging. I commend it without reservation.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Dr. Anizor sets his sights on spiritual apathy, or as he says, “indifference toward the core things that Christians should care about.” Anizor sets the stage by painting a bleak picture of the apathetic culture we find ourselves in. His concern is primarily a lack of spiritual zeal, what he helpfully defines as “spiritual intensity.” “Zeal,” writes Anizor “in the day-to-day is about being alive to the important things around us.” The remainder of the book highlights the massive problem of apathy that hinders so many people.
The author invites readers on a journey to the Greek world where he unpacks the term apetheia, which is loosely translated as “without passion.” The term, however, that best correlates to our current situation is the Greek word acedia, or “sloth.” The word means “indifference, apathy, exhaustion, or lethargy.” One writer refers to acedia as “the noonday demon.” This is the vice that plagues many people somewhere in the middle of the day. It is where laziness resides and lack of motivation takes root. “This unaddressed dis-ease is perfect soil for the devil to do his work.”
Depression, despondency, and dry spells are related to apathy and are explored in some detail. In the end, these vices steal our peace or what the Jewish writers call “shalom” and what Cornelius Plantinga refers to as “universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight - the way things were meant to be.”
Dr. Anizor explores the seven dead causes of apathy which include doubt, grief, triviality, feelings of inadequacy, lack of discipline, fragility, and lack of purpose.
An apathetic person may be described as a “weary soul” or a “flickering torch.” But Anizor is not content to let weary souls slide into hopelessness. He presents the cure for overcoming apathy, which is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed, “the gospel is a drama in which God is the lead actor. It is an announcement of what God has done in Christ and in the Spirit.” He reveals how apathy may be conquered, healed, and forgiven.
Finally, Dr. Anizor shows readers how to combat apathy. Man-centeredness is a dead end. The gospel is the cure. “All talk about practices, habits, and virtues is sub-Christian if it does not have at the forefront Christ’s work as well as the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Overcoming Anxiety: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care is thought-provoking, biblical, and deeply encouraging. I commend it without reservation.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
May 8, 2022
The subtitle says it all: “Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care”
Apathy is an huge problem for lots of folks and “Overcoming Apathy”, by Uche Anizor is an excellent resource for those who are looking for answers and subscribe to Christian principles with a biblical foundation.
Anizor’s writing is approachable and personal as he shares his own experiences with apathy and working to overcome the many facets of his life that were affected. His information is not glib, one and done or cute little rhyming schemes. This is real, hard work that borders on clinical. You’ll need to be committed to self evaluation, honesty, and an ongoing process.
I found a lot of surprises in this little book. Things I would not have identified as apathy might just be or they are on the way to becoming a problem. This isn’t a book that most people are going to speed thru. Be prepared to pause; maybe for a good long time.
All things considered, a positive & potentially life changing read📚
Apathy is an huge problem for lots of folks and “Overcoming Apathy”, by Uche Anizor is an excellent resource for those who are looking for answers and subscribe to Christian principles with a biblical foundation.
Anizor’s writing is approachable and personal as he shares his own experiences with apathy and working to overcome the many facets of his life that were affected. His information is not glib, one and done or cute little rhyming schemes. This is real, hard work that borders on clinical. You’ll need to be committed to self evaluation, honesty, and an ongoing process.
I found a lot of surprises in this little book. Things I would not have identified as apathy might just be or they are on the way to becoming a problem. This isn’t a book that most people are going to speed thru. Be prepared to pause; maybe for a good long time.
All things considered, a positive & potentially life changing read📚
May 7, 2022
a guide to moving through the mundane and trivial, among other causes of apathy, that provides the reader with background, definition, causes, cure, and practical next steps for those who struggle to care. go ahead! read it! it’s a step in the right direction!
May 26, 2023
Chapters 3–4 are worth the price of the book. In chapter 3, he outlines 7 deadly causes to apathy, and then in chapter 4, he shows how the gospel intersects with those 7 deadly causes. Helpful for fighting apathy but also provides a gospel framework for addressing other sins as well.
April 21, 2022
Anizor explores why Christians are apathetic about the things of God they should care about. He looks at how prevalent it is, what it actually is, possible causes, and what can be done. “Apathy is a sickness of the soul;” he writes, “it is a deformity of heart that needs healing.” (64) But “...there is no silver bullet when it comes to slaying apathy in our lives.” (167) Discipline, intentionality, and work to cultivate the necessary virtues are required.
Some of Anizor's book is academic in style and may not be appreciated by the average layperson. His exploration of the historical concept of apathy is a case in point. I appreciated his clarifying apathy, depression, despondency, and dry spells in how they differ yet where they also overlap.
There were some surprises in this book. One was the role of discipline, such as setting the mind on the things of the Spirit. We cannot combat apathy by simply telling ourselves to do so, he argues. We must address the various causes and then cultivate the traits leading to a passion for the things of God.
This is not a book with glib encouragement to cease feeling blah about spiritual things. It is rather a road map to the journey for those who are disturbed by their spiritual coldness and desire to change. Readers will find good information and practical steps to that end. Will the average layperson be attracted to this book? Probably not. It may be appreciated more by those pastors and church leaders as a resource for inspiring Christians to be alive to spiritual things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Vine program. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Some of Anizor's book is academic in style and may not be appreciated by the average layperson. His exploration of the historical concept of apathy is a case in point. I appreciated his clarifying apathy, depression, despondency, and dry spells in how they differ yet where they also overlap.
There were some surprises in this book. One was the role of discipline, such as setting the mind on the things of the Spirit. We cannot combat apathy by simply telling ourselves to do so, he argues. We must address the various causes and then cultivate the traits leading to a passion for the things of God.
This is not a book with glib encouragement to cease feeling blah about spiritual things. It is rather a road map to the journey for those who are disturbed by their spiritual coldness and desire to change. Readers will find good information and practical steps to that end. Will the average layperson be attracted to this book? Probably not. It may be appreciated more by those pastors and church leaders as a resource for inspiring Christians to be alive to spiritual things.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Vine program. My comments are an independent and honest review.
March 14, 2023
might be 5, but need time to chew and apply
September 20, 2023
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started this book but wow, truly insightful and convicting; in such a graceful and encouraging way! The Gospel truly provides power and hope for the apathetic!
December 26, 2023
A really really good book!! The structure of the book was clear and very approachable-super easy read, but was still very deep and filled with scripture. Would recommend to anyone, regardless of if you struggle with apathy!
April 22, 2022
Apathy is a sin, a "passive-aggressive hostility to God," Uche Anizor writes. "Apathy is not the hostility of a shaking fist but of a gaping yawn." Yes. He nails it. 'And when you think about it, what hurts more, someone's anger or someone's indifference toward you?"
If you ever catch yourself saying what's the use or why bother, you might need this book. If you don't believe anything about the Bible or the theme of sin and redemption, you might want some other book that defines "apathy" as opposed to detachment, which is supposed to be a good thing, advocated by spiritual gurus such as the Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello in his book "Awareness."
My hope with this book was that I'd come away with a more definitive sense of how to achieve **detachment** as opposed to apathy. Maybe a need a spiritual director. (Tried that once. It didn't work.)
Chapter 2 is intriguing. Apathy "was at one time a supremely valued orientation toward life," Anizor writes. The Stoics, I thought, had mastered detachment, not apathy, so I am still not getting it. Apathy, or "apatheia," was a virtue, "something to be sought, the culmination of an examined, chastened, and well-ordered life." Next page, we get "Apathy as Vice," a "noonday demon" leading to sloth, aimlessness, purposelessness. Quoting Dorothy Sayers, he describes apathy as "the sin which believes in nothing, cares for nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for."
I keep looking at this word, purposelessness, and wondering how of all the things worth reacting to on that page, that one word moves me to outrage and annoyance that such a clumsy word exists.
The first chapter illuminates a strange thing about people: we react with anger, outrage, passion, and flaming letters to the editor (or tweets, these days) about some inane issue, like the new Gap logo, while things that should rouse us to action do not. "We don't act on what we should act on, but we are awakened to things we should probably ignore," Anizor writes. Still in Chapter One, he quotes Richard Sousa's 'The Greatest Generation," reminding us of people who have "resisted the devil of indifference" and accomplished great things.
He ends every chapter with a list of questions. What book doesn't these days. I always skip those.
Every chapter is packed full of quotable quotes and references. It may seem Anizor is all over the map, jumping from parable to parable, anecdote to scientific study, but it all illustrates the theme: "Gospel hope for those who struggle to care."
If you read only one chapter in this book (and I confess, I usually read chapters out of order in books like this), I would urge everyone to read Chapter 4, "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go." I love the story of how the classic hymn by that name was composed.
Hope and belief in the Bible seem to be the go-to, the solution, for Anizor's readers. "How we process grief and disappointment is bound up with how connected we are with Christian hope," he writes, still in Chapter 4. "We're told that we are not to 'grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope' (1 Thes. 4:13 NIV). Why? Because we believe that Jesus Christ really rose from the dead and will raise everyone who belongs to him (v. 14). These truths are supposed to be uplifting and perspective-giving. We are even told to 'encourage one another with these words' (v. 18)."
Well, there you have it.
If you find it impossible to believe the whole nine yards, from the virgin birth to the resurrection of the body, this book suddenly has less to offer for those who struggle with depression or its manifestation as apathy.
"That Jesus heals messed-up people is no dull story," Anizor reminds us (yes, I'm still in Chapter 4). He cites a scene from the TV series "The Chosen." He mentions the parable of the workers in Matthew 20. He mentions a lot of things, including the language of "story" to describe the various causes of apapthy: "The basic idea is that there is a backstory to the apathy that each of us experiences, and all our backstories differ from one another." The question is "How does the story of God's rescue connect with the little stories behind our apathy?"
On the next page, Anizor reminds us of Jude 22, "Have mercy on those who doubt." Another page cites scientific evidence that people who have hope fare better in life. Another page quotes Martin Luther King.
In the second-to-last chapter, "Ways to Combat Apathy," Anizor cites C.S. Lewis, Dostoeveksy's "Crime and Punishment," and a Bob Newhart scene with the classic, over-simplified advice, just "Stop it." We need ways to work ourselves out of a rut, and one way is adopting new practices, e.g., create a new spiritual group at your church, or do the trendy "practice gratitude" thing. An easier suggestion for us to try might be spending a day off the grid to combat "solitude deprivation," though I suspect a lot of people suffering from apathy might be suffering too much solitude already.
Anizor doesn't promise an easy way out, a quick fix. In "Concluding Thoughts," he acknowledges the role of depression as a "common cloak" for apathy. "Whether processing the depression that expresses itself as apathy, or processing apathy itself, the path of overcoming is a lengthy one. It may take weeks, months, or longer."
This is not a typical Self-Help book with "winning" strategies to overcome apathy and set the world on fire with passion and positivity. The one drawback I see is that Anizor's approach is helpful only (or primarily) for those who believe in the Bible and all its promises.
If you ever catch yourself saying what's the use or why bother, you might need this book. If you don't believe anything about the Bible or the theme of sin and redemption, you might want some other book that defines "apathy" as opposed to detachment, which is supposed to be a good thing, advocated by spiritual gurus such as the Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello in his book "Awareness."
My hope with this book was that I'd come away with a more definitive sense of how to achieve **detachment** as opposed to apathy. Maybe a need a spiritual director. (Tried that once. It didn't work.)
Chapter 2 is intriguing. Apathy "was at one time a supremely valued orientation toward life," Anizor writes. The Stoics, I thought, had mastered detachment, not apathy, so I am still not getting it. Apathy, or "apatheia," was a virtue, "something to be sought, the culmination of an examined, chastened, and well-ordered life." Next page, we get "Apathy as Vice," a "noonday demon" leading to sloth, aimlessness, purposelessness. Quoting Dorothy Sayers, he describes apathy as "the sin which believes in nothing, cares for nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for."
I keep looking at this word, purposelessness, and wondering how of all the things worth reacting to on that page, that one word moves me to outrage and annoyance that such a clumsy word exists.
The first chapter illuminates a strange thing about people: we react with anger, outrage, passion, and flaming letters to the editor (or tweets, these days) about some inane issue, like the new Gap logo, while things that should rouse us to action do not. "We don't act on what we should act on, but we are awakened to things we should probably ignore," Anizor writes. Still in Chapter One, he quotes Richard Sousa's 'The Greatest Generation," reminding us of people who have "resisted the devil of indifference" and accomplished great things.
He ends every chapter with a list of questions. What book doesn't these days. I always skip those.
Every chapter is packed full of quotable quotes and references. It may seem Anizor is all over the map, jumping from parable to parable, anecdote to scientific study, but it all illustrates the theme: "Gospel hope for those who struggle to care."
If you read only one chapter in this book (and I confess, I usually read chapters out of order in books like this), I would urge everyone to read Chapter 4, "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go." I love the story of how the classic hymn by that name was composed.
Hope and belief in the Bible seem to be the go-to, the solution, for Anizor's readers. "How we process grief and disappointment is bound up with how connected we are with Christian hope," he writes, still in Chapter 4. "We're told that we are not to 'grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope' (1 Thes. 4:13 NIV). Why? Because we believe that Jesus Christ really rose from the dead and will raise everyone who belongs to him (v. 14). These truths are supposed to be uplifting and perspective-giving. We are even told to 'encourage one another with these words' (v. 18)."
Well, there you have it.
If you find it impossible to believe the whole nine yards, from the virgin birth to the resurrection of the body, this book suddenly has less to offer for those who struggle with depression or its manifestation as apathy.
"That Jesus heals messed-up people is no dull story," Anizor reminds us (yes, I'm still in Chapter 4). He cites a scene from the TV series "The Chosen." He mentions the parable of the workers in Matthew 20. He mentions a lot of things, including the language of "story" to describe the various causes of apapthy: "The basic idea is that there is a backstory to the apathy that each of us experiences, and all our backstories differ from one another." The question is "How does the story of God's rescue connect with the little stories behind our apathy?"
On the next page, Anizor reminds us of Jude 22, "Have mercy on those who doubt." Another page cites scientific evidence that people who have hope fare better in life. Another page quotes Martin Luther King.
In the second-to-last chapter, "Ways to Combat Apathy," Anizor cites C.S. Lewis, Dostoeveksy's "Crime and Punishment," and a Bob Newhart scene with the classic, over-simplified advice, just "Stop it." We need ways to work ourselves out of a rut, and one way is adopting new practices, e.g., create a new spiritual group at your church, or do the trendy "practice gratitude" thing. An easier suggestion for us to try might be spending a day off the grid to combat "solitude deprivation," though I suspect a lot of people suffering from apathy might be suffering too much solitude already.
Anizor doesn't promise an easy way out, a quick fix. In "Concluding Thoughts," he acknowledges the role of depression as a "common cloak" for apathy. "Whether processing the depression that expresses itself as apathy, or processing apathy itself, the path of overcoming is a lengthy one. It may take weeks, months, or longer."
This is not a typical Self-Help book with "winning" strategies to overcome apathy and set the world on fire with passion and positivity. The one drawback I see is that Anizor's approach is helpful only (or primarily) for those who believe in the Bible and all its promises.
May 2, 2024
"Be ruthless about lowering the volume on influences that communicate that this world is all we have. Turn up the volume on those voices that encourage you toward Christian hope" (166).
I wanted to follow up my read of Acedia & Me earlier this year with this book, which indirectly speaks to acedia, and focuses on the sin of apathy, a close relative of acedia. While I have not been plagued by apathy in the way the author describes, I think there are areas in my life in which I can become apathetic, often quietly, without my notice, and this book prompted me to reflect on those. The tone is equal parts encouraging and sobering, bracing, clarifying, and entirely hopeful. The last couple of chapters when the author turns to ways to fight apathy were practical and straightforward; I especially appreciated the emphasis of perseverance and fortitude in the struggle against sin. I think these traits are often downplayed because we are averse to any "striving" language, but Anizor argues that persevering in grace is participating in God's sanctifying work in us.
I wanted to follow up my read of Acedia & Me earlier this year with this book, which indirectly speaks to acedia, and focuses on the sin of apathy, a close relative of acedia. While I have not been plagued by apathy in the way the author describes, I think there are areas in my life in which I can become apathetic, often quietly, without my notice, and this book prompted me to reflect on those. The tone is equal parts encouraging and sobering, bracing, clarifying, and entirely hopeful. The last couple of chapters when the author turns to ways to fight apathy were practical and straightforward; I especially appreciated the emphasis of perseverance and fortitude in the struggle against sin. I think these traits are often downplayed because we are averse to any "striving" language, but Anizor argues that persevering in grace is participating in God's sanctifying work in us.
January 24, 2023
I loved this book. It honestly felt like a quick and easy read but has so much depth and truth to battling Apathy. It’s solely by the finished work of the cross. The whole time I’m just reminded of the verse, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The yoke is easy not because life becomes easier after following Christ but that He is carrying the yoke with you now. He takes it on for you. Such a refreshing book.
June 30, 2025
While not often talked about, Apathy impacts much of our culture, and people in our churches. This book was very helpful. I found his ways to combat apathy to be creative, eye-opening, and helpful. I would return to this book if I ever counseled someone dealing with Apathy.
May 18, 2022
My wife and I read this together and it was very good.
October 19, 2023
Incredibly helpful, thoughtful, and practical. Whether you’ve struggled with spiritual apathy or not, this book will be an encouragement to you to persevere in faith, devoted to the gospel.
February 25, 2023
This book is a great perspective on apathy. Apathy has always been talked about as destructive in our culture and churches. Anizor lays out how apathy is a spiritual battle and how to live life with passion and purpose.
The big idea: There are so many voices in life that want us to pay attention to them. Over time, we begin to zone out. Don't let Satan do that to your identity in God and call to His purpose.
The big idea: There are so many voices in life that want us to pay attention to them. Over time, we begin to zone out. Don't let Satan do that to your identity in God and call to His purpose.
October 17, 2024
I enjoyed it - I felt like Uche understood the topic and wanted to bring hope to those feeling nothing - but it wasn’t as comprehensive as I would’ve liked. However, I don’t think being comprehensive was his goal. It was however, poetic and refreshing.
March 24, 2023
This was a good primer on apathy. I don't think there are many books on apathy and especially not many that come from a Christian worldview. The book only hit the tip of the iceberg but I think it is an issue in our culture that gets little to no attention and I rarely see Christians addressing this issue. Apathy is sin. And the author gives a good definition of what apathy is and isn't and how it can relate to depression and despondency. It was helpful for me to read and learn and try to diagnose when I am being apathetic and when I am suffering from depression and other mental health issues. I would recommend this to all believers. I did listen to the audible version, and I had a hard time getting used to the narrator. Kindle or hardcopy might be better for most folks.
April 18, 2023
This book. Cannot recommend it enough. Anizor is practical, rooted in scripture, and attentive to the greater narrative at hand: the Gospel. I didn't realize how much I have been looking for a resource like this. If you struggle with apathy or are just interested in the topic at all, just buy the book. It is beyond worth it. Made my noggin think hard.
Read
December 30, 2022Well-done. Concise. Practical. Holistic. Grounded in a biblical theology of grace, grief, and glory. Ranging widely across church history and various disciplines—psychology, sociology, etc.—while preserving the priority of Scripture.
January 6, 2023
Whether you struggle with extreme apathy or just general feelings of “meh”, this book helpfully uncovers the roots of apathy in our own desire to avoid the pain of life’s problems, and points to how to overcome it with the hope and joy of the gospel.
April 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it even if the topic doesn’t really sound interesting to you. I liked how the author gave practical principles to incorporate into my life to combat apathy.
May 26, 2023
Listened on Audible
A fantastic book, the tagline should be ‘building a vibrant Christian life.’ The narrator was also brilliant, bringing the book to life. Nuanced, thoughtful, and punchy. Highly recommended.
A fantastic book, the tagline should be ‘building a vibrant Christian life.’ The narrator was also brilliant, bringing the book to life. Nuanced, thoughtful, and punchy. Highly recommended.
January 2, 2024
A short little book about the causes of apathy and some ideas to overcome it. I appreciated the distinction between depression and apathy. Some ideas I picked up were to think about what your convictions are. As someone who strives to be neutral for fear of offending anyone, I realize it can create a sense of unhealthy apathy. Some other helpful points -embrace quiet and solitude, practice gratitude, and sacrificial giving of time and resources. Nothing groundbreaking but very helpful reminders.
November 6, 2024
This book gets better as it goes along in my opinion. It’s very short and could be used more as a workbook or a spiritual spark. Almost like spring cleaning but maybe more frequently than once a year. I thought it a good blend of theoretical and practical.
May 26, 2022
Good book. A helpful starting point for spiritual diagnosis. Anizor cites a lot of other helpful books for more reading on the components of "apathy".
December 13, 2022
Really great stuff here. Super helpful and very practical!
December 22, 2022
Really well written on a subject that is both familiar and neglected. I would highly recommend it!
December 24, 2022
Succinct yet rich survey of historical, biblical and theological principles related to apathy. Very practical handles for how to grow in our passion and resist the trivial.
January 8, 2023
A good book well-narrated. Anizor provides clear definition of what spiritual apathy is and what can cause it, and then he provides wise guidance as to how to address it.
February 14, 2023
I needed to read this book. Friends, let me know if you want to borrow it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews