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Practicing Proverbs: Wise Living for Foolish Times
This is a unique book on a unique part of Scripture. Mayhue introduces us to Solomon, the writer of Proverbs and then gets to grips with the book itself and its message. He answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Proverbs and how the book has immediate and pressing relevance to Christians today. Then he re-organizes the text of the entire book of Proverbs into six life applications - spiritual, personal, family, intellectual, market-place and societal each also having particular themes highlighted within them. Practicing Proverbs is one book with multiple uses: devotional, small group discipleship book, resource for the biblical counselor and for teaching Christian ethics and morality. Most importantly of all, this is a book to help the reader develop a life that glorifies the source of all wisdom - God.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Richard L. Mayhue
27 books4 followersDr. Richard Mayhue served as Executive Vice President, Dean, and Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Theology (1989-2016) of The Master's Seminary, having retired as Research Professor of Theology Emeritus in 2016. During that time, he also served as Executive Vice President and Provost of The Master's College (2000-2008). Dick pastored previously with Dr. John F. MacArthur Jr. at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California where he had a teaching ministry and directed Shepherds' Conference, a continuing education ministry to pastors (1980-1984).
Dr. Mayhue is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.S.) and Grace Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M., Th.D.). Dick held various positions in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1971.
Dr. Mayhue is a graduate of The Ohio State University (B.S.) and Grace Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M., Th.D.). Dick held various positions in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1971.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 7, 2017
A terrific book that gives practical insight and wisdom into the book of Proverbs! I can't wait to dig in deeper to the book of Proverbs after reading this. The first half of the book is all about Proverbs, how to understand it, how to apply it to our own lives, etc. And the second half is a topical breakdown of the book. This will make a handy reference guide that I will go back to again and again!
January 21, 2021
A great resource to understand the proverbs from an organized point of view. This is an excellent book for young people to read, youth groups, or any age groups (since we all need more wisdom). Highly recommended for those who want to be wise.
November 21, 2020
Must read! Serves as a outstanding reference to have open as one reads and digests the wisdom of the Proverbs.
September 1, 2015
Great resource for studying Proverbs.
January 26, 2008
(I stole some of this outline from Nelson, but I hope to do this with every book I read from now on)
January 26, 2008
Title: Practicing Proverbs
Author: Richard Mayhue
No. of Pages: 218 (First 77 introduces Proverbs and talks about Wisdom, the rest of the book is like a Proverbs-only Systematic Theology of a myriad of topics)
Genre: Biblical Reference/Christian Living
Level of Reading (out of 5): 1 or 2
Key Quotes:
• On the Theme of Proverbs: “Proverbs teaches all about a right relationship with God (fearing the Lord) that leads to true knowledge and divine wisdom for righteous living, even practical godliness. Proverbs instructs about skillfully manifesting God’s character and will in one’s everyday life, making godly decisions, and being so oriented to God that one’s life choices always please Him” (33)
• On the Purpose of Proverbs: “How to live a wise life that will be pleasing to God and spiritually satisfying to oneself” (34)
• On the Fear of the Lord: “FOL actually carries a bittersweet connotation. On one hand, there is the sweet awe, reverence, and submission to the Lord in whom a true believer delights because of his steadfast love (Ps 118:4). On the other hand, there is a proper dread and fear of God’s response to sin and iniquity (Ps 119:120)… With reverent delight do true believers cultivate an appetite for the sweetness of his compassionate love which he promised forever in unlimited ways in response to obedience. By contrast, Christians shamefully accept the consequences of God’s rebuke for their spiritual good (c.f. Heb 12:3-11)”
Useful Sections:
• Tips on how to interpret Proverbs (39-40)
• Wisdom’s fruit as found in the book of James (57-60)
• Strategy for Spiritual Success Worksheet (239)
Evaluation:
I have only read up to page 77, so I do not know how useful it is as a reference book in the later pages. I did not find in this book what I was looking for to help me in my meditations in Proverbs, but I think it serves as a somewhat helpful extended introduction to the book. The style of the first 77 pages is simple and plain and therefore not very engaging, but at the same time, easy to read. I really wish it would have gone deeper into the meaning of the “fear of the Lord,” perhaps when to interpret it as a “sweet awe” or when to interpret it as “proper dread” or if it is always both. I think I also went into the book to glean wisdom principles as I read the same chapter everyday for a week, but I think a commentary would be more helpful in my chapter-by-chapter study. However, if I want some more wisdom on certain issues, I think the topical reference may be prove to be helpful.
Recommendation:
• Who: Those who are reading Proverbs for the first time, don’t have much background in Proverbs (e.g. how to interpret, author information, etc.)
• Buy or Borrow: Borrow
• Worth My Time: I think time reading something else may be more beneficial
January 26, 2008
Title: Practicing Proverbs
Author: Richard Mayhue
No. of Pages: 218 (First 77 introduces Proverbs and talks about Wisdom, the rest of the book is like a Proverbs-only Systematic Theology of a myriad of topics)
Genre: Biblical Reference/Christian Living
Level of Reading (out of 5): 1 or 2
Key Quotes:
• On the Theme of Proverbs: “Proverbs teaches all about a right relationship with God (fearing the Lord) that leads to true knowledge and divine wisdom for righteous living, even practical godliness. Proverbs instructs about skillfully manifesting God’s character and will in one’s everyday life, making godly decisions, and being so oriented to God that one’s life choices always please Him” (33)
• On the Purpose of Proverbs: “How to live a wise life that will be pleasing to God and spiritually satisfying to oneself” (34)
• On the Fear of the Lord: “FOL actually carries a bittersweet connotation. On one hand, there is the sweet awe, reverence, and submission to the Lord in whom a true believer delights because of his steadfast love (Ps 118:4). On the other hand, there is a proper dread and fear of God’s response to sin and iniquity (Ps 119:120)… With reverent delight do true believers cultivate an appetite for the sweetness of his compassionate love which he promised forever in unlimited ways in response to obedience. By contrast, Christians shamefully accept the consequences of God’s rebuke for their spiritual good (c.f. Heb 12:3-11)”
Useful Sections:
• Tips on how to interpret Proverbs (39-40)
• Wisdom’s fruit as found in the book of James (57-60)
• Strategy for Spiritual Success Worksheet (239)
Evaluation:
I have only read up to page 77, so I do not know how useful it is as a reference book in the later pages. I did not find in this book what I was looking for to help me in my meditations in Proverbs, but I think it serves as a somewhat helpful extended introduction to the book. The style of the first 77 pages is simple and plain and therefore not very engaging, but at the same time, easy to read. I really wish it would have gone deeper into the meaning of the “fear of the Lord,” perhaps when to interpret it as a “sweet awe” or when to interpret it as “proper dread” or if it is always both. I think I also went into the book to glean wisdom principles as I read the same chapter everyday for a week, but I think a commentary would be more helpful in my chapter-by-chapter study. However, if I want some more wisdom on certain issues, I think the topical reference may be prove to be helpful.
Recommendation:
• Who: Those who are reading Proverbs for the first time, don’t have much background in Proverbs (e.g. how to interpret, author information, etc.)
• Buy or Borrow: Borrow
• Worth My Time: I think time reading something else may be more beneficial
March 29, 2009
This book consists of large sections of quotations from the Proverbs, so it is hard to give it a not-so-great rating. It really did not provide any groundbreaking insight. A good read, easy to digest, helpful for the person who enjoys the Proverbs and wants to implement them into his or her life.
LB
LB
June 21, 2012
This book serves it's purpose well: to be a categorical index to the entire book of Proverbs.
The introductory chapters give some basic analysis and summary of the teaching of Proverbs, but the real help of the work comes in the categorized proverbs.
The introductory chapters give some basic analysis and summary of the teaching of Proverbs, but the real help of the work comes in the categorized proverbs.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews