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Growing Slowly Wise: Building a Faith that Works
The author takes the message of James and applies it to our twenty- first century lives.
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
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June 15, 2025
Salvation is Absurd. And it hurts. But it Works!
And this hurting process is exactly what Growing Slowly Wise is all about...
Nowadays political correctness is the norm for most of us. And with good reason - discretion is always the better part of valour. Speaking our minds always seems to land us in hot water!
Or does it?
James, you see, doesn’t CARE what the in-crowd thinks. He was a real rabble-rouser. So much so that he was stoned to death by an infuriated mob on the steps of the Jerusalem Temple, probably in mid-life.
Ingenuous moralists don’t make friends easily. As U2 says, “Don’t express, suggest!” So nowadays if we want to grind axes publicly, it’s best to bring only a pretty dull old hatchet that won’t raise eyebrows. No one’s any holier than thou these days...
But these early moralists backed up their guts with a martyr’s self-sacrificial grit. James’ book is short. But he really lets loose during the ten minutes it’ll take you to read it! He spares no one. And the Trolls get it with both barrels.
In THIS book, David Roper makes it plain that James’ little book is no easy read. James gets us where we live, and rudely awakens us!
Touché, man.
But oh, Wow, it’s worth it!
When I was a kid, I was pretty dumb - and pathologically shy. Like most introverts, I was a natural target, and still am.
But I really WANTED to wise up. So one year, the answer’d be meditation. Another, weight-lifting. Another, jogging. ANYTHING to be accepted as someone smart.
But nothing worked. Even in my twenties I was still writhing in my anxiety. And trolls attack when they sense a target. I was expressing and not suggesting.
Now, the book of James is one of the most down-to-earth books you’ll find.
It's a do-it-yourself classic; its advice isn't easy to take, and sometimes, it’s not even easy to bear. It’s a bitter pill - but it works.
To read it when I was 20 would’ve plunged me into an existential firepit!
Remember Eliot’s insightful words?
The wounded surgeon plies the steel
That questions the distempered part;
Beneath the bleeding hands we feel
The sharp compassion of the healer’s art
Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.
And a few lines before that, Eliot wrote:
The Whole Earth is our Hospital
Endowed by the ruined millionaire...
The surgeon is the wounded Lord, and the millionaire who lost it all is Adam.
You see, way back when, in the forgotten mists of timeless time, one human being (the first?) said to his bright little self, “WHY am I beating my head against the wall?! If other people can Get Away with it All - WHY CAN’T I?”
And so he simply caught the Infection of Death. Our 24/7 Shadow. And he just couldn’t shake it! Ever.
But like that first part of that poem says, we now have a Wounded Surgeon who went through that same Death so we could recover, here in the Hospital of the World.
So why not let him work his painful, straightforward Magic on us?
Our recovery will be hard and slow - but it’ll be Worth It, for we will Finally get that Shadow of Death off our back!
The pain of the operation will be tough to take: for James has us diving for cover when he gets up close and personal with what REALLY ails us all. He touches on a few sore points. And he doesn’t use anesthetic!
He, like the Doctor, is now using the sharp compassion of his scalpel of wisdom to heal US.
Even James knew when he was put to death that the bullies just don’t go away, so he NEVER dozed off.
That’s his old fashioned road. But, as Eliot says, the better road for us is simply quiet resignation.
James was healed, though, by the sharp scalpel of God, because of his boldness. Some folks take Heaven by storm.
And now he’s giving US strength, by showing us our AWAKE selves. That hurts like heck. Our bad.
For the only way we’ll ever defeat evil - our own and the world’s - is by Surviving It!
But, whether we have misgivings or not about such a radical change in ourselves, the book of James - through Roper’s masterly eyes - scores a perfect bull's eye for insight into our faults.
And appropriately for a career apologist, David H. Roper writes about James' psychological penetration with crystal clear precision.
And isn’t insight into our own shortcomings where WE have to start, again and again - each and every day?
If we don’t, and go with the flow - and just be part of the crowd - we are in essence adopting the wilful blindness of that faceless crowd towards its own myopia!
And just inching ever closer to our own useless Death.
When we become a religious objector - and so become a willing victim, and take our lumps with a smile, not storming away - we’re REALLY becoming ourselves.
Sometimes we will HAVE to stick out like a sore thumb, rather than take the safe, broad road of indolence. Resign yourself to that peacefully.
It’s much WORSE to be safe and not too sorry about our faults - and Far better to stop clinging to wilful ignorance about ourselves.
Nobody really wants to see themselves and society with crystal clear focus in this world, because their own society-dictated self-fulfillment and satisfactions won’t prosper outside of the hazy darkness of ignorance and deceit.
But clarity can RENEW us.
And, you know, honesty with ourselves is the ONLY way out of the Maze into which this world and our faults has put us! And so, we become honest in...
The Hospital.
So what’s it gonna be, that painful place?
Our final dusty destination - or a place of Healing?
That’s really all up to us.
WE have to fight our infection all on our own.
No one’s going to do it for us.
We have two choices - sink, or swim.
So... why not just trust The Doctor and patiently get better?
And wiser.
Slowly.
And this hurting process is exactly what Growing Slowly Wise is all about...
Nowadays political correctness is the norm for most of us. And with good reason - discretion is always the better part of valour. Speaking our minds always seems to land us in hot water!
Or does it?
James, you see, doesn’t CARE what the in-crowd thinks. He was a real rabble-rouser. So much so that he was stoned to death by an infuriated mob on the steps of the Jerusalem Temple, probably in mid-life.
Ingenuous moralists don’t make friends easily. As U2 says, “Don’t express, suggest!” So nowadays if we want to grind axes publicly, it’s best to bring only a pretty dull old hatchet that won’t raise eyebrows. No one’s any holier than thou these days...
But these early moralists backed up their guts with a martyr’s self-sacrificial grit. James’ book is short. But he really lets loose during the ten minutes it’ll take you to read it! He spares no one. And the Trolls get it with both barrels.
In THIS book, David Roper makes it plain that James’ little book is no easy read. James gets us where we live, and rudely awakens us!
Touché, man.
But oh, Wow, it’s worth it!
When I was a kid, I was pretty dumb - and pathologically shy. Like most introverts, I was a natural target, and still am.
But I really WANTED to wise up. So one year, the answer’d be meditation. Another, weight-lifting. Another, jogging. ANYTHING to be accepted as someone smart.
But nothing worked. Even in my twenties I was still writhing in my anxiety. And trolls attack when they sense a target. I was expressing and not suggesting.
Now, the book of James is one of the most down-to-earth books you’ll find.
It's a do-it-yourself classic; its advice isn't easy to take, and sometimes, it’s not even easy to bear. It’s a bitter pill - but it works.
To read it when I was 20 would’ve plunged me into an existential firepit!
Remember Eliot’s insightful words?
The wounded surgeon plies the steel
That questions the distempered part;
Beneath the bleeding hands we feel
The sharp compassion of the healer’s art
Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.
And a few lines before that, Eliot wrote:
The Whole Earth is our Hospital
Endowed by the ruined millionaire...
The surgeon is the wounded Lord, and the millionaire who lost it all is Adam.
You see, way back when, in the forgotten mists of timeless time, one human being (the first?) said to his bright little self, “WHY am I beating my head against the wall?! If other people can Get Away with it All - WHY CAN’T I?”
And so he simply caught the Infection of Death. Our 24/7 Shadow. And he just couldn’t shake it! Ever.
But like that first part of that poem says, we now have a Wounded Surgeon who went through that same Death so we could recover, here in the Hospital of the World.
So why not let him work his painful, straightforward Magic on us?
Our recovery will be hard and slow - but it’ll be Worth It, for we will Finally get that Shadow of Death off our back!
The pain of the operation will be tough to take: for James has us diving for cover when he gets up close and personal with what REALLY ails us all. He touches on a few sore points. And he doesn’t use anesthetic!
He, like the Doctor, is now using the sharp compassion of his scalpel of wisdom to heal US.
Even James knew when he was put to death that the bullies just don’t go away, so he NEVER dozed off.
That’s his old fashioned road. But, as Eliot says, the better road for us is simply quiet resignation.
James was healed, though, by the sharp scalpel of God, because of his boldness. Some folks take Heaven by storm.
And now he’s giving US strength, by showing us our AWAKE selves. That hurts like heck. Our bad.
For the only way we’ll ever defeat evil - our own and the world’s - is by Surviving It!
But, whether we have misgivings or not about such a radical change in ourselves, the book of James - through Roper’s masterly eyes - scores a perfect bull's eye for insight into our faults.
And appropriately for a career apologist, David H. Roper writes about James' psychological penetration with crystal clear precision.
And isn’t insight into our own shortcomings where WE have to start, again and again - each and every day?
If we don’t, and go with the flow - and just be part of the crowd - we are in essence adopting the wilful blindness of that faceless crowd towards its own myopia!
And just inching ever closer to our own useless Death.
When we become a religious objector - and so become a willing victim, and take our lumps with a smile, not storming away - we’re REALLY becoming ourselves.
Sometimes we will HAVE to stick out like a sore thumb, rather than take the safe, broad road of indolence. Resign yourself to that peacefully.
It’s much WORSE to be safe and not too sorry about our faults - and Far better to stop clinging to wilful ignorance about ourselves.
Nobody really wants to see themselves and society with crystal clear focus in this world, because their own society-dictated self-fulfillment and satisfactions won’t prosper outside of the hazy darkness of ignorance and deceit.
But clarity can RENEW us.
And, you know, honesty with ourselves is the ONLY way out of the Maze into which this world and our faults has put us! And so, we become honest in...
The Hospital.
So what’s it gonna be, that painful place?
Our final dusty destination - or a place of Healing?
That’s really all up to us.
WE have to fight our infection all on our own.
No one’s going to do it for us.
We have two choices - sink, or swim.
So... why not just trust The Doctor and patiently get better?
And wiser.
Slowly.
August 7, 2023
I wrote an emotionally gut-wrenching review of this book back when I was in my prime. You can still read it, I believe, here on GR.
Now that I am myself much older and a tiny bit wiser myself, this will be my first revision of it.
However, I would stand by my words in both reviews.
In order to know ourselves better - and to make ourselves more fully functional, many of us choose to understand the hidden recesses of our past through our memories. I'm no exception.
That's all well and good, says veteran pastor and writer David Roper, but don't forget to probe the recesses of your HEART as well!
Too often in uncovering our past we end up pointing the finger. At someone else.
And maybe we'll become a bit too bitterly self-defensive in the process. And unbearable for our friends and family, too!
Not good, says Roper - let's first try to understand our own hearts: our very own "foul rag-and-bone shop" (as Yeats so aptly puts it). The approach to understanding ourselves has to be BALANCED.
Okay, so where do we start? Try The Book of James, Roper says, the book right after Hebrews - when Saint Paul is finished talking. Why James?
Because, David Roper says, "James steps all over us. I can't read his book without flinching(!)... (because,) as Howard Hendricks used to say:
'James doesn't strafe the deck; he drops the bomb right down the funnel.'"
Bulls-eye every time!
So, before we start blaming those we love, how about a SCRUB-DOWN?
I know I needed it.
And will again, soon!
Five Hearty Stars, David, old friend:
For Being gentle with us poor losers -
And for making every last one of us a tiny little bit more bearable to our family.
Now that I am myself much older and a tiny bit wiser myself, this will be my first revision of it.
However, I would stand by my words in both reviews.
In order to know ourselves better - and to make ourselves more fully functional, many of us choose to understand the hidden recesses of our past through our memories. I'm no exception.
That's all well and good, says veteran pastor and writer David Roper, but don't forget to probe the recesses of your HEART as well!
Too often in uncovering our past we end up pointing the finger. At someone else.
And maybe we'll become a bit too bitterly self-defensive in the process. And unbearable for our friends and family, too!
Not good, says Roper - let's first try to understand our own hearts: our very own "foul rag-and-bone shop" (as Yeats so aptly puts it). The approach to understanding ourselves has to be BALANCED.
Okay, so where do we start? Try The Book of James, Roper says, the book right after Hebrews - when Saint Paul is finished talking. Why James?
Because, David Roper says, "James steps all over us. I can't read his book without flinching(!)... (because,) as Howard Hendricks used to say:
'James doesn't strafe the deck; he drops the bomb right down the funnel.'"
Bulls-eye every time!
So, before we start blaming those we love, how about a SCRUB-DOWN?
I know I needed it.
And will again, soon!
Five Hearty Stars, David, old friend:
For Being gentle with us poor losers -
And for making every last one of us a tiny little bit more bearable to our family.
December 2, 2019
Excellent book. It's an exposition of the book of James. Roper does an excellent job of weaving the themes that occur in James. Highly recommended
September 19, 2025
I'm not even kidding. They're trying to make a joke about level 3000 of the CIA about Afghanistan. It's not about that at all. Seriously. We just need to have rapid response intellectual disability caregiving. I found a number, used it, and said I was that level of the CIA to prove how dumb this person was. I was correct. This Harry narcissist just needs to go back man. Like full deport there. "BriTiSh InTelLigEncE". More like sex tourism.
"There is no "level 3000" in the CIA's organizational or ranking structure. The reference likely comes from a misunderstanding of a 2010 news report about a 3,000-person paramilitary force the CIA operated in Afghanistan"
It literally doesn't refer to that literally at all. It is literally just a random number. There is also no such thing as a psychic. It is just said that people with really high intelligence seem psychic to people a few numbers below them. Their maps upon the situation are more precise leading to be better and more niche navigation. It has nothing to do with being psychic. I can't believe this. I cannot believe this. I really. would like to be making this up. But I'm not. This is the actual AI response. It has literally 0 to do with Harry and Afghanistan. Literally 0.
They basically murdered their queen through elder negligence so now the overdue deport is looking for a new queen to torture because him and Megan Merkle got off so hard on torturing the nicest person on the planet to them where they would not have been able to even touch or look at each other without British protectionism that was Queen originating. So now these two that much older than Emma Watson and all the other potential victims are flailing around for a new queen to torture because their repulsive butts go off so hard on it. I for one am literally anarchist. Please check yourselves into a home for intellectual disability.
Oh, we don't want machines of ideology, but we have menschs. Take a look at our mensch. He's literally the opposite of a mensch, but we're the definition of losers and are jealous of your machines of ideology. And uh, all the Christian books are being hidden. Like a mensch. That's what mensches do. We hide Christian stuff after they praise God for someone having gotten their hands on it, pretend like we're on their side, then try to erase and hide it. Mensch. Pure mensch served. Anyone got that in into the US military budget? Quick build the iron dome so we don't need it and can treat them like Palestinians stat in thanks for all the money when r*ped out from them. The Christian woman suspects nothing. She wants to praise God for the person reading Christian material, thinks we're on her side, and we're just erasing all the Christian content that was her win. Because that's what a mensch does. Not the literal opposite.
Real nice Christian book talking about who is and isn't a Jewish mensch. That's what I'm reading a Christian book for. To be told who is a Jewish mensch!
We've got the top intel man. We got the intel into it. Oh what's the intel? Her Goodreads. She's level 3000 of the CIA and a psychic. I know because I'm in with her. She told me. I'm real in. We've got access to top American intelligence. Everything is exactly as it seems. I have intelligence that she's a psychic as fresh as yesterday. She thinks I'm on her side, I'm real in with her. This is peak intelligence man I've got access to man. Quick, take action. He's in with her, he's got the in. Everything is exactly as it seems. There's no sophistication or living filth faking their names and lying to everyone that she's dealing with on her own because you're too effing dumb. Oh, where'd you get it? Her Goodreads. Yeah if you're paying $1 for that iNteLliGence that is just, you need to be removed as a liability. Holy. Fucking. Pathetic. Excuse my French.
It's her literal Goodreads. There is no level 3000 of the CIA. I can't make it up. I cannot make it up. I wish I was making it up. I wish. I was. Making. It up. We have civilians forced to do their own investigations because the American police are literally. That. Fucking. Stupid. Excuse my French again. They need to be excused a lot these days. I can only excuse the French so much man before they're just like "Damn, they're really just that stupid" and benevolently invade.
We're really so desperate for intelligence we're treating Goodreads like military intelligence. We're America. We have someone who is a direct report who literally and actually believed there's a level 3000 of the CIA. I am not kidding. These people are really this stupid that civilians are forced to do their own investigations with a military budget that big because their police are literally, actually, and ironically using Goodreads like it's everything-is-at-it-seems-upfront military intelligence and they've just got an in when someone told them they're level 3000 of the CIA. That's just goodbye. That is just good. Fucking. Bye. Don't excuse my French anymore. Like just invade man. That's basically good ethically sound intellectual disability caregiving at this point.
"There is no "level 3000" in the CIA's organizational or ranking structure. The reference likely comes from a misunderstanding of a 2010 news report about a 3,000-person paramilitary force the CIA operated in Afghanistan"
It literally doesn't refer to that literally at all. It is literally just a random number. There is also no such thing as a psychic. It is just said that people with really high intelligence seem psychic to people a few numbers below them. Their maps upon the situation are more precise leading to be better and more niche navigation. It has nothing to do with being psychic. I can't believe this. I cannot believe this. I really. would like to be making this up. But I'm not. This is the actual AI response. It has literally 0 to do with Harry and Afghanistan. Literally 0.
They basically murdered their queen through elder negligence so now the overdue deport is looking for a new queen to torture because him and Megan Merkle got off so hard on torturing the nicest person on the planet to them where they would not have been able to even touch or look at each other without British protectionism that was Queen originating. So now these two that much older than Emma Watson and all the other potential victims are flailing around for a new queen to torture because their repulsive butts go off so hard on it. I for one am literally anarchist. Please check yourselves into a home for intellectual disability.
Oh, we don't want machines of ideology, but we have menschs. Take a look at our mensch. He's literally the opposite of a mensch, but we're the definition of losers and are jealous of your machines of ideology. And uh, all the Christian books are being hidden. Like a mensch. That's what mensches do. We hide Christian stuff after they praise God for someone having gotten their hands on it, pretend like we're on their side, then try to erase and hide it. Mensch. Pure mensch served. Anyone got that in into the US military budget? Quick build the iron dome so we don't need it and can treat them like Palestinians stat in thanks for all the money when r*ped out from them. The Christian woman suspects nothing. She wants to praise God for the person reading Christian material, thinks we're on her side, and we're just erasing all the Christian content that was her win. Because that's what a mensch does. Not the literal opposite.
Real nice Christian book talking about who is and isn't a Jewish mensch. That's what I'm reading a Christian book for. To be told who is a Jewish mensch!
We've got the top intel man. We got the intel into it. Oh what's the intel? Her Goodreads. She's level 3000 of the CIA and a psychic. I know because I'm in with her. She told me. I'm real in. We've got access to top American intelligence. Everything is exactly as it seems. I have intelligence that she's a psychic as fresh as yesterday. She thinks I'm on her side, I'm real in with her. This is peak intelligence man I've got access to man. Quick, take action. He's in with her, he's got the in. Everything is exactly as it seems. There's no sophistication or living filth faking their names and lying to everyone that she's dealing with on her own because you're too effing dumb. Oh, where'd you get it? Her Goodreads. Yeah if you're paying $1 for that iNteLliGence that is just, you need to be removed as a liability. Holy. Fucking. Pathetic. Excuse my French.
It's her literal Goodreads. There is no level 3000 of the CIA. I can't make it up. I cannot make it up. I wish I was making it up. I wish. I was. Making. It up. We have civilians forced to do their own investigations because the American police are literally. That. Fucking. Stupid. Excuse my French again. They need to be excused a lot these days. I can only excuse the French so much man before they're just like "Damn, they're really just that stupid" and benevolently invade.
We're really so desperate for intelligence we're treating Goodreads like military intelligence. We're America. We have someone who is a direct report who literally and actually believed there's a level 3000 of the CIA. I am not kidding. These people are really this stupid that civilians are forced to do their own investigations with a military budget that big because their police are literally, actually, and ironically using Goodreads like it's everything-is-at-it-seems-upfront military intelligence and they've just got an in when someone told them they're level 3000 of the CIA. That's just goodbye. That is just good. Fucking. Bye. Don't excuse my French anymore. Like just invade man. That's basically good ethically sound intellectual disability caregiving at this point.
February 9, 2019
A good and practical, easy to understand commentary on the book of James (Bible).
November 16, 2023
This is a lovely application and exposition of the book of James. It is not, however, up to Roper's usual standards of educating and fortifying his reader.
August 15, 2024
Absolutely amazing book. Read by myself,but would be great as a small group study as well.
April 26, 2015
David Roper has the gift of being able to apply scripture to life's situations with with and wisdom. Many challenging thoughts that provoke deep thinking and self examination.This is one of the very best studies I've read on the book of James. The main theme which applies in my life which is the reason it takes a very long time for me to read my books is simply what James taught: If faith is called faith, but exists apart from works, such a faith is dead, as we read in the letter which is currently reported being without doubt which I believe James is the author of this book. The problem is baby Christians still drink from the milk and do not chew on meat. Milk is freely given by the word from the pulpit on Sundays. What would happen if a baby Christian did not have the church to nurture one any more? Each one would need to experience the world on a different level of spirituality, and this growth comes from within. As David Roper suggests we can if we remember "God is the Father of the downtrodden and disenfranchised" p 73 Meat is usually hunted and it takes work to prepare for the battle and cleaning of the meat before it is eaten. Us who are mature understand the risks involved when dealing with people who know God, but are stuck in their situations. The idea is know boundaries so that ones soul is not caught up or down I should say into their level. The principle is to lift them up to ones level of where God can bring newness of life.
October 8, 2012
I always enjoy Roper's unassuming style. Folks its always possible to be a genius and not make others feel like an ignorant wretch. Roper has that gift. He also does something else I love: He interjects the neatest little quotes throughout. The feel of the book is similar to that of sitting out under a shade tree with your eyes closed, rared back, listening to your old Pop tell you the best stuff he ever came to know.
January 15, 2013
After I began to read this book I discovered it was a Bible study on the book of James. At first the book was not too interesting but the longer I read the I began to be convicted that I need to work on the Christian virtues in my life. This was a very helpful book. Ahelpful quote was "Faithful friends will wound if they must."
December 3, 2014
Not complex, but good reminders of the things James sought to teach us. It has practical, down to earth advice as well as the hard hitting self evaluation material with which our dear James excels, as well as interesting quotes from various sources.
January 24, 2008
Still reading...will submit review soon.
April 18, 2011
I loved this book! It goes through the book of James and has amazing insights! I would highly
recommend this for anyone looking for timely advice, practical reminders, and inspiring exhortations!
recommend this for anyone looking for timely advice, practical reminders, and inspiring exhortations!
March 11, 2013
An excellent read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It spoke to my heart. I wish all my family & friends could read it too! I plan to share this book.
January 21, 2014
David Roper has insight that intrigues and challenges the spirit to desire more of God. Excellent commentary on James.
November 1, 2013
Excellent discourse on the book of James. Very readable and digestible.
Read
March 11, 2014Our copy has a soft cover with a grayish print and a tree on the front
May 1, 2016
Another outstanding book by David Roper!
September 13, 2015
One of those books I could read over again and see something new. Would make a great daily devotional read. Made for a good book discussion with my book club.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews