Reordered Love, Reordered Lives: Learing the Deep Meaning of Happiness

by David K. Naugle

If we have a particle of sense, St. Augustine said, we realize that we all want to be happy. What's more, God actually  designed  human beings to crave and seek happiness. Why, then, is there so much  un happiness in the world? According to David Naugle, it's because, in our desperate quest, we're looking in the wrong places.

Reordered Love, Reordered Lives  explores a distinctly Augustinian theme that is supremely relevant for the twenty-first century. Naugle explains that if we  love  properly -- that is, if we love beginning with God and progressing to other humans, ourselves, and the world around us -- we will also  live properly and, in so doing, will find our own true happiness. Packed with select quotes and references to popular music, literature, and other media -- and including provocative questions for discussion -- the book presents classic theological ideas in a conversational and edgy fashion. Naugle's refreshing take is sure to appeal to anyone searching for happiness -- which, in the end, is all of us.
 

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2008

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book detailing the disordered loves and lives of the individual and societal lives apart from God, and how the Gospel--Jesus Christ--is the only way to a reordered life. Loving what should be first, God, should inevitably lead to a cultivation of virtues and an outpouring of the love of God to others. Though Naugle sometimes engages in whimsical rabbit trails and makes a few minors more major than they should, nevertheless this book is a great reminder of the Gospel and the work of Jesus Christ in the life of the Christian.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naugle argues that people's desire for happiness is rooted in their (known or unknown) yearning for God. But in an effort to satisfy ourselves, we often turn to things that lead us away from God, leading to disordered lives. The disordered loves that lead to such lives need to be reordered, beginning with a right view of and belief in Jesus Christ. What I most appreciate about Naugle's work is his commitment (especially earlier in the work) to broaden the cultural pool from which he seeks out insights into our condition, and conversely, discovers the answers to lasting and fulfilling happiness. This means looking not only to the Bible, but to literature, poetry, film, music, philosophy, and the church fathers. His broad range of sources strengthens his underlying point in a way that provides a greater connection to the world of real life. This is not a collection of abstract thoughts that live outside the realm of the material world. Instead, with his emphasis on culture, he has incarnated the abstract search for the good life and made it accessible for the weary traveler looking for something better out of life.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very moving to read. If you approach this book purely cognitively, that is, to garner information and knowledge, then I would suggest that you have not read this book properly and that you have missed a great deal within it. I have never ready anything from Naugle before, that is surely to change now that I have finished this work. The book is written intelligently with a good host of information; you can tell Naugle is a philosopher. The book strength, however in my estimation, is the poetic way it is written. It strikes me a lot like Peter Kreeft: poetic, concise, revealing, with heavy use of examples and literature. The book, in short, if read slowly and with intent moves your soul and affections. Which is the very premise of the book itself.

I would summarize the book this way: it is about how to live a worthy life (entering into that gnarly and confusing mess of what constitutes pathology and health, as well as existential crisis) by conquering your affections/emotions/passions. Naugle states that we live disordered/pathological lives because we have disordered/pathological loves/emotions/drives. The author claims, and argues for these claims: love leads to life/action; we have brokenness in our lives, yet we yearn for happiness; we are ignorant and confused about what/how to love (e.g. we love in excess, we love the wrong things, etc.); a re-ordered love will lead to worthy and healthy life and that comes from God; and, our lives can only be reordered by the power of God.

I used to cringe when I heard people call atheists/agnostics/secularists pathological by nature of their non-belief in God. After having read this work, and several others, I can come to see how this is so from my unique Christian worldview. I do understand, however, that this would need to be thoroughly argued for (and may not be necessarily the topic to argue with others) coming from a secularist's point of view. Five stars, and added to my favorites ... I could re-read this book several times and may very well do so.

[Kimberly Winters · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book covered so many topics it felt (at times) like the author was trying to rewrite the Bible. Lots of great insights, quotes and perspectives - just perhaps too many? But that might be because I was familiar with the topic at hand and have already read and enjoyed Desiring the Kingdom. For me, this book did not newly inspire nor inform but rather extensively reviewed what I already believed and have experienced. Probably would make a helpful resource for a new believer looking for a comprehensive overview regarding the ways in which Jesus Christ transforms desire. Would also work well for someone contemplating our faith who wants to know how Jesus Christ changes us from within.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done synthesis of Augustine's understanding of disordered love as the root of sin with a broad Reformed spirituality. Includes an insightful look at the seven deadly sins, countered with a program of spiritual formation that focuses on the seven virtues. A chapter on the gospel is comprehensive, including a focus on the incarnation, the kingdom of God, the atonement and resurrection. The material on spiritual disciples is good, though there's nothing particularly new. Lots of great quotes from Augustine, C. S. Lewis, and others and some very helpful illustrations from contemporary culture.

[Todd Capen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pastor and one who loves Augustine this is a fantastic book. If there was a fire and I had to grab 20 books this would be one of them. This book represents Augustine's thought about the core issue of the human heart; that of disordered loves. This book interacts with popular culture and is accessible to the average reader. Augustine feels a bit overwhelming for the average Christian but Naugle does a terrific job applying Augustine

[Tyler Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible overview of Augustinian anthropology. Worth the read, but stranded in Eerdmans publishing company so it won't get wide recognition, but it is a good reference for those concerned with where James K. A. Smith has ended up as of late.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Popular-level book on Christian happiness.

[Ray A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doing a second reading of this book.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on the subject of contentment and true joy.

[Jon Anderson]

A book that deserves a wider readership. Had profound impact on my life when I first read it. Read again for Easter season 2019