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The Glorious Pursuit: Becoming Who God Created Us to Be
A Life-Changing Book on Christian Virtues from the Author of Sacred Marriage
"When we practice the virtues of Christ," writes bestselling author Gary Thomas, "we become who God created us to be." In this classic book of spiritual formation, we encounter true discipleship--the life we were made for--by observing Jesus in his daily life: his interactions with the people around him, his reactions and responses to spiritual warfare, his thoughtful engagement of complicated questions about faith and profound temptations. Jesus embodied the virtues that God has invited us all to cultivate. This book becomes instrumental to our spiritual growth.
There aren't a lot of books that focus squarely on classical Christian virtues; those that do often approach the topic in a scholarly, detached fashion. Gary Thomas has a deep concern for the spiritual vitality of his audience, and that concern comes through in this book.
Gary Thomas is one of the most celebrated writers on spiritual formation, with beloved books sitting alongside other contemporary classics by authors such as Dallas Willard, James Bryan Smith, and Richard Foster. In his distinct style, he provides a heartfelt survey of humility, chastity, generosity, patience, perseverance, and more, as demonstrated in the life of Jesus. These virtues are for us, and this book draws lines from our lived experience to the lived experience of Christ, and back to us, pointing the way to a more vibrant faith and a more fulfilling life.
"When we practice the virtues of Christ," writes bestselling author Gary Thomas, "we become who God created us to be." In this classic book of spiritual formation, we encounter true discipleship--the life we were made for--by observing Jesus in his daily life: his interactions with the people around him, his reactions and responses to spiritual warfare, his thoughtful engagement of complicated questions about faith and profound temptations. Jesus embodied the virtues that God has invited us all to cultivate. This book becomes instrumental to our spiritual growth.
There aren't a lot of books that focus squarely on classical Christian virtues; those that do often approach the topic in a scholarly, detached fashion. Gary Thomas has a deep concern for the spiritual vitality of his audience, and that concern comes through in this book.
Gary Thomas is one of the most celebrated writers on spiritual formation, with beloved books sitting alongside other contemporary classics by authors such as Dallas Willard, James Bryan Smith, and Richard Foster. In his distinct style, he provides a heartfelt survey of humility, chastity, generosity, patience, perseverance, and more, as demonstrated in the life of Jesus. These virtues are for us, and this book draws lines from our lived experience to the lived experience of Christ, and back to us, pointing the way to a more vibrant faith and a more fulfilling life.
- GenresChristian
256 pages, Paperback
Published December 8, 2020
30 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Gary L. Thomas
61 books647 followersGary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community.
Gary is the author of 20 books, including "Sacred Marriage" and "Cherish", that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards . His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.
Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR).
He serves on the teaching team (and as Writer in Residence) at Second Baptist Church, Houston—a congregation with six campuses and 70,000 members—and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston Texas.
Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak in 49 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” and “Best of 2017.” Gary is a lifelong advocate of using the Christian classics to bring people closer to Christ.
Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and they have three adult children and the smartest, cutest, most adorable granddaughter on the planet.
Gary Thomas – Bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others.
Gary is the author of 20 books, including "Sacred Marriage" and "Cherish", that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards . His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.
Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR).
He serves on the teaching team (and as Writer in Residence) at Second Baptist Church, Houston—a congregation with six campuses and 70,000 members—and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston Texas.
Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak in 49 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” and “Best of 2017.” Gary is a lifelong advocate of using the Christian classics to bring people closer to Christ.
Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and they have three adult children and the smartest, cutest, most adorable granddaughter on the planet.
Gary Thomas – Bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 14, 2023
One of the most transformative books on Christian living that I have ever read. Do yourself a favor and read this book. This isn’t just a book that inspires, it digs deep, and truly helps you to examine your own life as you learn about the virtues of Christ, virtues that bring us back to Christ centered living, giving us the most beautiful life imaginable. I am so thankful to have discovered this book, a book that has provided so much practical insight that I have been able to work on actively applying to my life. This is a book that I will come back to often.
April 17, 2025
One of my top three fav books now! So practical and encouraging
August 30, 2021
Is there value in the Christian virtues? In The Glorious Pursuit, Gary Thomas helps us become who God created us to be.
Interact with Grace
Thomas speaks of interacting with grace, and I found it to be an excellent way to describe surrendering our heart attitudes, submitting to our Father, and resting in Christ.
We don’t become humble as much as we learn to practice humility. Thomas defines humility as radical God-dependence and forgetting self. Moreover, he says we should change our focus, adopt a posture of receiving, expect growth through experience. This means adopting a self-emptying spirit, practicing humility toward others, and developing healthy self-doubt.
Surrender and Sacrifice
The most moving part of the book for me was when Thomas connects surrender with sacrifice. We are prone to compare our lives with others, but God gives us different gifts accordingly. Acceptance means admitting to God that he knows what’s best, and we can trust his promise to give us more of Christ.
To truly detach from this world, we must attach ourselves to Christ. Ordering our attachments and eliminating competing attachments allows us to love correctly. Interestingly, Thomas explains chastity by saying that the root of lust is a hunger for heaven. A hunger for intimacy or a hunger for power and control cannot compete with truly experiencing God.
Future-Oriented
The book is spiritual yet practical. Thomas lists three components of discernment: (1) apprehending spiritual beauty, (2) refined taste, and (3) experience. In regards to thanksgiving, we can (1) Thank God for the easy things, (2) the way he uses difficult things, and (3) what he is doing in the hard things.
The book closes with a look at penitence. It is surprisingly future-oriented. It propels us to proper living. And when done correctly under Christ, it is the gateway to eternal life with God.
I received a media copy of The Glorious Pursuit and this is my honest review.
Interact with Grace
Thomas speaks of interacting with grace, and I found it to be an excellent way to describe surrendering our heart attitudes, submitting to our Father, and resting in Christ.
We don’t become humble as much as we learn to practice humility. Thomas defines humility as radical God-dependence and forgetting self. Moreover, he says we should change our focus, adopt a posture of receiving, expect growth through experience. This means adopting a self-emptying spirit, practicing humility toward others, and developing healthy self-doubt.
Surrender and Sacrifice
The most moving part of the book for me was when Thomas connects surrender with sacrifice. We are prone to compare our lives with others, but God gives us different gifts accordingly. Acceptance means admitting to God that he knows what’s best, and we can trust his promise to give us more of Christ.
To truly detach from this world, we must attach ourselves to Christ. Ordering our attachments and eliminating competing attachments allows us to love correctly. Interestingly, Thomas explains chastity by saying that the root of lust is a hunger for heaven. A hunger for intimacy or a hunger for power and control cannot compete with truly experiencing God.
Future-Oriented
The book is spiritual yet practical. Thomas lists three components of discernment: (1) apprehending spiritual beauty, (2) refined taste, and (3) experience. In regards to thanksgiving, we can (1) Thank God for the easy things, (2) the way he uses difficult things, and (3) what he is doing in the hard things.
The book closes with a look at penitence. It is surprisingly future-oriented. It propels us to proper living. And when done correctly under Christ, it is the gateway to eternal life with God.
I received a media copy of The Glorious Pursuit and this is my honest review.
April 2, 2022
Very practical and helpful in sanctification- I will probably read this book multiple times through my life as I continue to need reminders in Christ’s virtues and how my life should reach, by the Holy Spirit, to mirror them
June 21, 2023
Great study on Christian Virtues
March 30, 2024
So many good nuggets! Going to have to buy the hard copy to take notes and really sit in this. May my life become a glorious pursuit after God.
January 5, 2025
So good! Gary Thomas does a great job of gently convicting but giving us great hope on how to live an effective, Christ-centered life.
January 15, 2025
A great book that makes you rethink your life as a christian and helps you to go in the right direction. There are parts that really wake you up from the routine of the world.
April 3, 2023
A great book! For some reason I started this book in November and forgot I was reading it and reads other books in the meantime! 🤦🏻♂️ What a wealth of information as we seek the Lord and run after Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews