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Virtues: Your Christian Legacy
The virtues point us to a journey of mature faith and ongoing conversion despite temptations to doubt, uncertainty, and lack of charity. To live virtuously is to trust totally in the providence of God, undisturbed by vices that tempt us to make our projects more important than God's guidance. Read this book and let go of the heavy weight of excessive worry, destructive gossip, and undue meddling. Explore the virtues of the inner life like courage and gratitude, which affect our character. Know the virtues of the relational life such as forgiveness and hospitality, which strengthen the bonds between people and draws us into deeper intimacy with God. Learn how to integrate virtuous living with the situations in which we find ourselves on a day to day basis, such as patience and perseverance in handling annoying situations or when many obstacles present themselves. Grow in virtue in the face of vices in our personal and social lives. - See more at: http://www.emmausroad.org/Virtues-You...
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 23, 2016
*First-Reads Giveaway*
‘Virtues: Your Christian Legacy’ is a text that promotes itself as a “call to discipleship and the rewards of virtuous living” and I can agree it is centered around those two ideas. It is not a book that aims to convert, but to speak to the recently converted or those brought up in Christian faith.
Dr. Muto hopes to encourage Christians in their faith by focusing fully on God and giving up in selfish desires or vices- a message very familiar to practicing Christians. One element in the text that made it different from most Protestant/Christian text is that Dr. Muto heavily refers to Catholic Saints- which was a new one on me. Was this done to appeal to a wider audience? Don’t most Christians shy away from Catholic canonization? Perhaps this was written with more of a Catholic audience in mind, which should be made clear, as someone outside that sect would be unfamiliar with the references and have some time to get used to constant reference. Her writing is well thought out and flows, but can be vague at times with sentences such as “Adoration is like a magnet that attracts itself a constellation of companion virtues ranging from the ‘ah!’ of the sheer grace to the wordless wonder felt when we view the sun washed crevices of the Grand Canyon." I am all for descriptive passages, but I have no idea what her point is here. When it comes to non-fiction I like my books to be clear and practical.
That being said, Dr. Muto uses many biblical quotes throughout ‘Virtues’ and all are used in the correct context (I checked) and keeps the chapters short and sweet and ending in a prayer. Overall, I see this as a text you would be assigned for a Bible Study group and discussion.
‘Virtues: Your Christian Legacy’ is a text that promotes itself as a “call to discipleship and the rewards of virtuous living” and I can agree it is centered around those two ideas. It is not a book that aims to convert, but to speak to the recently converted or those brought up in Christian faith.
Dr. Muto hopes to encourage Christians in their faith by focusing fully on God and giving up in selfish desires or vices- a message very familiar to practicing Christians. One element in the text that made it different from most Protestant/Christian text is that Dr. Muto heavily refers to Catholic Saints- which was a new one on me. Was this done to appeal to a wider audience? Don’t most Christians shy away from Catholic canonization? Perhaps this was written with more of a Catholic audience in mind, which should be made clear, as someone outside that sect would be unfamiliar with the references and have some time to get used to constant reference. Her writing is well thought out and flows, but can be vague at times with sentences such as “Adoration is like a magnet that attracts itself a constellation of companion virtues ranging from the ‘ah!’ of the sheer grace to the wordless wonder felt when we view the sun washed crevices of the Grand Canyon." I am all for descriptive passages, but I have no idea what her point is here. When it comes to non-fiction I like my books to be clear and practical.
That being said, Dr. Muto uses many biblical quotes throughout ‘Virtues’ and all are used in the correct context (I checked) and keeps the chapters short and sweet and ending in a prayer. Overall, I see this as a text you would be assigned for a Bible Study group and discussion.
June 30, 2014
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My reviews are always honest and straightforward.
A also want to say that I am not the intended audience for this type of writing. This book is not so much about finding God as it is about following God. I'm not Christian but I still enjoyed the writing and most of the messages. My mother, who is a devout Christian, will enjoy it completely I'm sure. That being said, on with the review!
Like I said above, the writing was good and flowed. Some passages stuck out to me as either what I believe in or just excellent wording such as:
Pg.51- "Loving God and expressing the overflow of this love in respectful relations with others defend us against the disrespectful tendency to force them to fit into our preconceived mold."
or
Pg.52- "Disrespect traps us in desensitized thoughts and feelings that slap a label on others before they say a word."
The author wants to promote better living through God and I found it to be just that. It wasn't amazing to me, but it did remind me to continue evaluating my life and choices that I make daily.
While reading I was even reminded of a non-religious book I read in sixth grade called Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik J. Wielenberg, which also makes a study of human morals and the lack of such at times. Both of these books are similar in their teachings of better living through good morals and attitudes, just one works through God while the other is more of an atheist's point of view. If you are wanted both sides then I would suggest reading these, or books like them.
A also want to say that I am not the intended audience for this type of writing. This book is not so much about finding God as it is about following God. I'm not Christian but I still enjoyed the writing and most of the messages. My mother, who is a devout Christian, will enjoy it completely I'm sure. That being said, on with the review!
Like I said above, the writing was good and flowed. Some passages stuck out to me as either what I believe in or just excellent wording such as:
Pg.51- "Loving God and expressing the overflow of this love in respectful relations with others defend us against the disrespectful tendency to force them to fit into our preconceived mold."
or
Pg.52- "Disrespect traps us in desensitized thoughts and feelings that slap a label on others before they say a word."
The author wants to promote better living through God and I found it to be just that. It wasn't amazing to me, but it did remind me to continue evaluating my life and choices that I make daily.
While reading I was even reminded of a non-religious book I read in sixth grade called Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe by Erik J. Wielenberg, which also makes a study of human morals and the lack of such at times. Both of these books are similar in their teachings of better living through good morals and attitudes, just one works through God while the other is more of an atheist's point of view. If you are wanted both sides then I would suggest reading these, or books like them.
July 4, 2014
Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Book.
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Virtues: Your Christian Legacy is a book that helps the reader to understand some ways to improve their world from a Christian perspective, primarily using biblical quotes.
It’s a book that describes twenty-eight virtues grouped into four parts: Inner Life, Relational Life, Situational Life, and Global Life. Each of these chapters, about three pages each, can be read in a few minutes, providing the reader a devotional book for a month. Besides biblical stories, the author included several historical examples, along with some modern ones.
The author, Dr. Susan Muto, is well-equipped to describe these virtues, as she crafted well-written and easy-to-understand sentences. She is dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality, and holds a doctorate in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the author of Am I Living a Spiritual Life?: Questions and Answers for Those Who Pray from 2006 and Meditation in Motion from 1986.
Virtues is a devotional book, with meaningful prayers, that would be a good addition to one’s Christian library.
------------------------------------
Virtues: Your Christian Legacy is a book that helps the reader to understand some ways to improve their world from a Christian perspective, primarily using biblical quotes.
It’s a book that describes twenty-eight virtues grouped into four parts: Inner Life, Relational Life, Situational Life, and Global Life. Each of these chapters, about three pages each, can be read in a few minutes, providing the reader a devotional book for a month. Besides biblical stories, the author included several historical examples, along with some modern ones.
The author, Dr. Susan Muto, is well-equipped to describe these virtues, as she crafted well-written and easy-to-understand sentences. She is dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality, and holds a doctorate in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the author of Am I Living a Spiritual Life?: Questions and Answers for Those Who Pray from 2006 and Meditation in Motion from 1986.
Virtues is a devotional book, with meaningful prayers, that would be a good addition to one’s Christian library.
July 31, 2014
In "Virtues" Susan Muto offers a guide along the path of spiritual development and dependence on Christ as our Savior and Sanctifier. Muto explores 28 different virtues, providing the spiritual seeker with guidance as to how they can better serve and love God and serve and love their neighbors. She breaks these virtues into four different groups: the inner life, the relational life, the situational life, and the global life. With each group spiritual seekers are treated with great wisdom on how they can grow in grace and be astounded by the ways in which God can work in and through them if they open their hearts and minds to the work of the Spirit. Muto concludes her study with an appendix that considers the sins that trap us and how we can counter those sins with adherence to the virtues already discovered. Within this discussion, Muto educates the seeker with wisdom from various church fathers who bring great knowledge to our spirituality. As a protestant, I feared I may not enjoy this exploration of spiritual growth as it comes from a Roman Catholic. But I discovered great wisdom within these pages and will return to them repeatedly in my own spiritual development and as I train up those that God has entrusted to me. Of particular blessing are the prayers that Muto includes at the conclusion of each virtue. These prayers often made me consider what I had read and truly give over my drives and inclinations to God. This book is a deep blessing.
July 30, 2014
Receiving this book from Goodreads giveaway I was anxious to start reading. I found the book to very inciteful. Made me realize what all the virtues entail. Some I had never thought of. But also the graciousness of God. I enjoyed the short chapters and the prayers at the end of each virtue explained. Well, written and I would recommend this book to everyone. Even if you don't believe. Susan Muto being a professor wrote so anyone could understand in simple terms and equate to your everyday living.
May 8, 2015
I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads contest. The way Susan Muto writes has had me intrigued from first page to the last. There is nothing you would not be able to understand as she does a wonderful job of explaining and providing life examples. Each chapter includes virtues for the inner life, the relational life, the situational life, and the global life. She provides insightful passages about the 28 virtues and describe its vices. A great book to help develop spiritual maturity and be a follower of God.
November 10, 2014
This is a scholarly guide for anyone interested in Christianity. Short chapters easily consumed daily with a meaningful prayer to affirm each. This wonderful resource helps me with a concrete approach to a more rewarding life. Thank you Ms. Muto for your direct approach with filling food for thought.
August 1, 2014
Marvelous reading material! This book helps you with a concrete approach to a more rewarding life!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews