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Awakening the Quieter Virtues
Big, colorful virtues like courage and decisiveness in crisis easily get our attention. But sometimes it's those everyday values that shape us much more profoundly. Lost in our noisy, flashy, gaudy world are the quiet virtues that work behind the scenes--molding our character, guiding our actions, enriching our lives. Greg Spencer unfolds the beauty and nature of each, showing us how to take notice of discernment, innocence, generosity, authenticity and more. In this book you'll discover how far from being dull these quieter virtues actually are. Though often hidden, they play a formative role in who we become and what we do.
197 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 17, 2017
Gregory Spencer is a gifted writer and teacher. Unlike many books in the non-fiction genre which offer a few pithy words of wisdom which have to be surrounded by loads of filler to make enough words to publish, Spencer's work holds valuable teaching in each and every sentence. A kind of reverse version of Jerry Bridges' Respectable Sins which digs deep into those "little" things we ought not to be doing, Spencer's work teaches us in detail how to adopt aspects of character, such as discernment, innocence, and authenticity, that are really elements of the great virtues like wisdom, justice and courage. Good enough to be read many, many times over a lifetime, I recommend Awakening the Quieter Virtues to anyone that desires a call to a deeper Christian walk.
February 17, 2021
Just okay. About half the virtues were treated well and eloquently, with depth and insight and something new and helpful to say. The other half felt under-considered and rehashed. Like the vast majority of "spiritual living" / "inspirational" books in existence, there wasn't enough substance here to justify a quote book-length unquote project.
(Publisher prescriptivism on what counts as "book length" in various genres drives this problem. I know it's supposedly based on aggregate market research into consumer expectations and buying behavior, but frankly these trends turn on a dime every other decade... and even if they didn't, "content is king" and should be allowed to rule).
(Publisher prescriptivism on what counts as "book length" in various genres drives this problem. I know it's supposedly based on aggregate market research into consumer expectations and buying behavior, but frankly these trends turn on a dime every other decade... and even if they didn't, "content is king" and should be allowed to rule).
June 10, 2014
I was hesitant and often resistant as I read this book, as the author seems to be a pretty orthodox Christian with a traditional view of the personification of God/Jesus. (Also, there's an entire chapter on modesty--that made me doubly nervous.) Yet as I read his words about quiet virtues such as reference, generosity, and discernment, I found myself liking it very much, and although his particular view of God is not my particular view, I found much wisdom in his words. Indeed, I often found myself mentally paraphrasing Ghost World: I usually don't care for orthodox Christian writings, but this one was "the exact opposite of everything I really hate" (intolerance, literalism, bombast) about religious writing. Spencer is patient and wise (and the modesty chapter was refreshingly non-obsessed with boobies), and I discovered much in common with him. Another one I plan to purchase, as I think this one deserves a careful reading and a good dose of marginalia.
October 30, 2017
”The noise of culture overwhelms the less brassy aspects of life, including what I call the quieter virtues, discernment, innocence, authenticity, modesty, reverence, contentment and generosity.”
I found this book while looking for something else. That is one of my favorite parts of browsing, whether looking at the shelves of my local library or getting lost in the library catalog. Libraries are full of wonderful books – you never know what all is there.
I thought this book might be like the one I recently read by Hatmaker. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) I figured since the publisher tends to be conservative, the author and I might disagree on some items. However, Spencer might be a more fundamentalist that I am, but I agreed with most of what he had to say. His virtues are good ones and he has interesting things to say about them and how to live within each discipline.
I am especially intrigued by the disciplines he paired with the quieter virtues. This was a different approach to spiritual disciplines than I had encountered before. Here is a list of the virtues matched up with the discipline that Spencer choose:
Discernment: the discipline of attentiveness
Innocence: the discipline of advocacy
Authenticity: the discipline of real presence
Modesty: the discipline of timely remembrance
Reverence: the discipline of astonishment
Contentment: the discipline of ars morendi
Generosity: the discipline of compassionate imagination
If I was still teaching Sunday School, this would have been a good book to share with the class. Spencer made me consider how I see the world and how my faith could grow with attention to these qualities.
If you have an interest in spiritual journeys or ways to improve your interactions with our world, you might want to look at this book. Spencer is a good writer and he presents his ideas in thought-provoking ways.
I found this book while looking for something else. That is one of my favorite parts of browsing, whether looking at the shelves of my local library or getting lost in the library catalog. Libraries are full of wonderful books – you never know what all is there.
I thought this book might be like the one I recently read by Hatmaker. (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) I figured since the publisher tends to be conservative, the author and I might disagree on some items. However, Spencer might be a more fundamentalist that I am, but I agreed with most of what he had to say. His virtues are good ones and he has interesting things to say about them and how to live within each discipline.
I am especially intrigued by the disciplines he paired with the quieter virtues. This was a different approach to spiritual disciplines than I had encountered before. Here is a list of the virtues matched up with the discipline that Spencer choose:
Discernment: the discipline of attentiveness
Innocence: the discipline of advocacy
Authenticity: the discipline of real presence
Modesty: the discipline of timely remembrance
Reverence: the discipline of astonishment
Contentment: the discipline of ars morendi
Generosity: the discipline of compassionate imagination
If I was still teaching Sunday School, this would have been a good book to share with the class. Spencer made me consider how I see the world and how my faith could grow with attention to these qualities.
If you have an interest in spiritual journeys or ways to improve your interactions with our world, you might want to look at this book. Spencer is a good writer and he presents his ideas in thought-provoking ways.
April 26, 2018
When I bought this book, it was through Inter Varsity Press, and I made my decision only by reading the description in the catalog. This might have been the best-ever book purchase I made with them.
While we often concentrate on the attributes of God, the fruit of the Spirit, and the seven deadly sins (and there's nothing wrong with that), here's a book to help us examine virtues we may not readily think of. Those virtues include, according to author, Gary Spencer, discernment, innocence, authenticity, modesty, reverence,contentment, and generosity.
With each subject, Spencer elaborates on his own definition of, say, innocence. He tells us stories from his personal experience, making it easy to relate. He cites the studies of experts in the subject, and writers who have gone before him to comment on each virtue. For instance, in the chapter on Authenticity, he includes a section called "The Discipline of Real Presence." Being a fan of Pensees by Blaise Pascal, I was happy that he included one of my favorite lines.
We can get in the mindset that we live a simple life. We don't cause others problems. We take care of ourselves and are happy. But we are complex creatures. In this world, we look at things from a perspective which often comes from a combination of nature and nurture. We can often become our own worst enemy. Spencer gets really personal when he talks about our discontentment. We fall into what he calls "discontented whining."
"Lost in a flashy world" could well be a subtitle for the book and the phrase is even on the back cover. We tend to elevate virtues like courage, decisiveness, and assertiveness because of the way we've been primed to succeed in the world. But often these quieter virtues, playing underneath, are the solid base for the true success we seek. They help us create stronger relationships, relax and remain flexible, maintain–or even develop–credibility, and model for others a sense of peace.
The book contains a section at the end of each chapter that has exercises for self-examination and thoughts to reflect on. Awakening the Quieter Virtues makes sense. He defines each virtue in the appendices, which also includes a bibliography.
As long as we live in a world of people striving in any way, this book–and what Spencer teaches us about ourselves–will be timely and relative.
While we often concentrate on the attributes of God, the fruit of the Spirit, and the seven deadly sins (and there's nothing wrong with that), here's a book to help us examine virtues we may not readily think of. Those virtues include, according to author, Gary Spencer, discernment, innocence, authenticity, modesty, reverence,contentment, and generosity.
With each subject, Spencer elaborates on his own definition of, say, innocence. He tells us stories from his personal experience, making it easy to relate. He cites the studies of experts in the subject, and writers who have gone before him to comment on each virtue. For instance, in the chapter on Authenticity, he includes a section called "The Discipline of Real Presence." Being a fan of Pensees by Blaise Pascal, I was happy that he included one of my favorite lines.
"The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his own room."This particular non-fiction book is written from a Christian perspective, but anyone can pick up valuable information about how people, for the most part "tick."
We can get in the mindset that we live a simple life. We don't cause others problems. We take care of ourselves and are happy. But we are complex creatures. In this world, we look at things from a perspective which often comes from a combination of nature and nurture. We can often become our own worst enemy. Spencer gets really personal when he talks about our discontentment. We fall into what he calls "discontented whining."
"Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey report that "complaint" is the most common way employees talk to each other, even when job morale is high. Imagine what whining is like in an office with low job satisfaction!"This book is a repeater for me and, in addition to reading it once, I've skimmed it, re-reading chapters as the subject occurs to me. You might call that a refresher course.
"Lost in a flashy world" could well be a subtitle for the book and the phrase is even on the back cover. We tend to elevate virtues like courage, decisiveness, and assertiveness because of the way we've been primed to succeed in the world. But often these quieter virtues, playing underneath, are the solid base for the true success we seek. They help us create stronger relationships, relax and remain flexible, maintain–or even develop–credibility, and model for others a sense of peace.
The book contains a section at the end of each chapter that has exercises for self-examination and thoughts to reflect on. Awakening the Quieter Virtues makes sense. He defines each virtue in the appendices, which also includes a bibliography.
As long as we live in a world of people striving in any way, this book–and what Spencer teaches us about ourselves–will be timely and relative.
August 2, 2017
Spencer makes a case for seven "quiet" and often ignored virtues - discernment, innocence, authenticity, modesty, reverence, contentment, and generosity - and he pairs a discipline with each virtue. This book is often wise and well worth reading for anyone disturbed by our clanging, self-centered culture and its resonance within.
January 7, 2023
A nice book published by IVP Books regarding discernment, innocence, authenticity, modesty, reverence, contentment and generosity. For me the section on contentment as opposed to whining and worry, and the section on generosity as a predisposition to love, were the most inspiring.
February 24, 2019
Holy Help
This book is a help for holy living, focusing on character traits often overlooked in most lists of virtues. Here is a guide to developing a Christlike depth of character that is in step with the Spirit's work in the believer.
This book is a help for holy living, focusing on character traits often overlooked in most lists of virtues. Here is a guide to developing a Christlike depth of character that is in step with the Spirit's work in the believer.
February 7, 2018
I love the structure and the content potential of this book. I was not impressed by the writing. But it is worth reading, especially for the chapter on Innocence as a virture
August 4, 2019
Love this book!
June 7, 2020
This book was a refreshing look at some of the lesser emphasized character traits. In this day and age, good character is less and less.
December 9, 2012
A different look at Christian virtues/disciplines. Bringing it to earth in the every-day busyness, highlighting some virtues that are too often neglected in our culture.
Written by my father in law!
Written by my father in law!
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June 6, 2013This book was much more than I expected. It brought lots of new insight to the virtues and also had reflections and practical application. I know I will purchase this for our library soon so I can read it again.
April 26, 2015
I appreciated the author's fresh perspective on virtue and spiritual discipline. It made virtue accessible. Especially helpful was his view on modesty. Not life-changing but readable and a good reminder to cultivate virtue.
July 12, 2011
I enjoyed this book immensely. It challenged me to rethink my convictions in certain areas of my life. I particularly liked the chapter on innocence.
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September 25, 2014rec. by Jan
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews