Holy Grit: Reflections on Hebrews for Cultivating a Faith that Lasts

by Chad A. Ragsdale

A CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER STUDY OF HEBREWS FOR DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL PERSEVERANCE Each one of us could list the names of people we love who have tragically walked away from the faith. We could also share our own stories of spiritual weariness as we attempt to follow Jesus faithfully in this world. The need for faithful resilience has always been imperative for disciples of Jesus, and that is true as ever in our post-Christian culture. Author Chad Ragsdale writes this book to help you develop this faithful resilience—what he calls holy grit . Scripture is our best guide for developing holy grit, particularly through the Book of Hebrews. The development of perseverance, or grit, is the book’s primary concern. Holy Grit goes chapter by chapter through Hebrews highlighting what we can learn about faithfulness from its pages. The goal is that weary Christians would read this and be encouraged to develop the mindset and the habits that are conducive to perseverance. If you want to live a life of resilience, hope, and faith in the God who is making all things new, read this book.
—Kyle Idleman , best-selling author and preacher, Southeast Christian Church In Holy Grit , Chad Ragsdale has worked a wonder. He has taken the Book of Hebrews, which many find remote and inaccessible, and found in it welcome encouragement for faith under stress, strength for the long journey of living the Christian life, and an oasis in the desert for weary disciples.
—Thomas G. Long , author, Interpretation Commentary Series CHAD RAGSDALE is the academic dean at Ozark Christian College, where he also teaches classes on apologetics and the New Testament. He holds a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology. Chad and his family live in Webb City, Missouri.

210 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2023

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me forever to get through it because I felt like I had to process as I read. Holy grit was eye opening but also reassuring that just because I’m human doesn’t mean I’m doomed. Love Jesus. Love people. Love weird.

[Luke Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed going through Holy Grit to go along with reading the Book of Hebrews during my quiet time. The author, Chad Ragsdale, is my mentor group leader at OCC, and I hold a lot of respect for him. He presents Hebrews in a way I haven’t perceived before. Ragsdale calls us to have a gritty faith, that even when we in the midst of pain and shadows, we are called to cling tighter to God.

[Bethel Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book Holy Grit, Chad Ragsdale walks through the practical application of the book of Hebrews chapter by chapter to help his readers discover how to develop a faith that lasts. Instead of approaching the text as a commentary, this book focuses largely on making sense of confusing concepts and how the truths from the book of Hebrews apply to our lives today. We discover how the original audience was also struggling with their faith when things got difficult and even with moving forward in their spiritual maturity, which are struggles Christians still face today. While some of the Old Testament references are considered to be confusing by many, this book helps clarify much of the confusion surrounding these metaphors and how the elements of the old covenant made way for the new. Throughout all of this, we see how we can cultivate a faithful resilience, which Ragsdale calls “holy grit”, which will allow us to stand firm and hold fast to faith and hope when life becomes difficult or uncertain. As it does in the book of Hebrews itself, each chapter of Holy Grit builds on the hope and endurance it gives its audience to live out faithful resilience, both individually and in the context of community with each other. With personal stories throughout and discussion guides at the end of each chapter, this book is a great resource of knowledge and wisdom from one of the New Testament's most mysterious books. This is one I highly recommend.

[Matt Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging journey through the book of Hebrews with solid application to the life of faith. Encouraging, inspiring stories of faith and perseverance. Straightforward and honest when it comes to the challenges of maintaining faith. Ideal for a group study.

[Donnie Criswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Great book that talks through Hebrews! Loved walking through what it looks like to have a faith that lasts. We need a high priest, a savior and community!