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12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee
Who Are We to Judge?
We have met the Pharisees, and they are...us. That's because we are all slaves to self-righteousness and judgmentalism. It's built into human nature. We set "the standard"--the list of do's and don'ts--to which others must adhere. Then we associate this predetermined behavior with righteousness and declare, "A 'Christian' wouldn't do that."
In this book, John Fischer points out that Jesus defined the truth in such a way as to leave no one righteous--not one. We cannot be made right before God by being "better" than anyone else. Instead, by recognizing and laying aside the Pharisee in all of us, we can embrace the grace, gratitude, and joy of the spirit-filled life.
We have met the Pharisees, and they are...us. That's because we are all slaves to self-righteousness and judgmentalism. It's built into human nature. We set "the standard"--the list of do's and don'ts--to which others must adhere. Then we associate this predetermined behavior with righteousness and declare, "A 'Christian' wouldn't do that."
In this book, John Fischer points out that Jesus defined the truth in such a way as to leave no one righteous--not one. We cannot be made right before God by being "better" than anyone else. Instead, by recognizing and laying aside the Pharisee in all of us, we can embrace the grace, gratitude, and joy of the spirit-filled life.
172 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
27 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
John Fischer
18 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Fischer has been mixing his unique combination of singing, speaking, and humor for a variety of audiences for over thirty years. His multifaceted talents of song writing, speaking, singing, and writing reflect the many avenues by which John carries on a spiritual dialogue with real life and real people.
John's books present a thought-provoking challenge to the Christian Church today, encouraging believers to pull the true essence of their faith from the trappings of the contemporary Christian subculture. John's debut into fiction, Saint Ben, received a Silver Angel award for fiction.
His other fiction books include Saint Ben, Saint's and Angel's Song, and Ashes on the Wind. Since l980, he has contributed a column to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine.
A graduate of Wheaton College, John and his family now live in California.
John Fischer has been mixing his unique combination of singing, speaking, and humor for a variety of audiences for over thirty years. His multifaceted talents of song writing, speaking, singing, and writing reflect the many avenues by which John carries on a spiritual dialogue with real life and real people.
John's books present a thought-provoking challenge to the Christian Church today, encouraging believers to pull the true essence of their faith from the trappings of the contemporary Christian subculture. John's debut into fiction, Saint Ben, received a Silver Angel award for fiction.
His other fiction books include Saint Ben, Saint's and Angel's Song, and Ashes on the Wind. Since l980, he has contributed a column to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine.
A graduate of Wheaton College, John and his family now live in California.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 16, 2014
Growing up in a conservative Christian home can have its disadvantages. One of the biggest is that you may have the tendency to shape your life and your self-worth around how you should look, rather than on the contents of your heart. You know WHAT you should look like; it is easier to focus on that, then on having the right heart to get there.
When it finally dawns on you that the Gospel message is for you, too, it starts to shake the foundations of how hard you have worked to keep up your image. In a way, you must choose: to either slide the Gospel into the background and try to hide it away and its daunting implications for your life, or to come to the realization that you are no better than all those people you have been judging.
Some quotes from this book:
"Somehow, we've got to get the spotlight off pharisaical self-righteousness and back on the gospel..."
"Faults make us real. Faults make us human."
"'Perfect' people have no witness. They have nothing to give anyone. You can only give what you have received, and Pharisees, unfortunately for their followers, have earned everything. Likewise, all those perfect Christians running around being great examples for Christ have no witness at all. They are, in fact, doing grave damage to the gospel. They are perpetuating the myth that Christians are better than anybody else and driving away those who truly need the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ."
"It occurs to me that it's a good church whose pastor the people can comfort."
"In its simplest form, our greatest witness to the world is to show and tell how much we need Jesus."
"Where does a pro-choice Democrat with homosexual struggles go to church today? Not many churches I know of. For that matter, where does a sinner go to church?"
"The gospel is just what it is: good news for sinners. The only people who should be offended by it are people who can't admit their sin."
When it finally dawns on you that the Gospel message is for you, too, it starts to shake the foundations of how hard you have worked to keep up your image. In a way, you must choose: to either slide the Gospel into the background and try to hide it away and its daunting implications for your life, or to come to the realization that you are no better than all those people you have been judging.
Some quotes from this book:
"Somehow, we've got to get the spotlight off pharisaical self-righteousness and back on the gospel..."
"Faults make us real. Faults make us human."
"'Perfect' people have no witness. They have nothing to give anyone. You can only give what you have received, and Pharisees, unfortunately for their followers, have earned everything. Likewise, all those perfect Christians running around being great examples for Christ have no witness at all. They are, in fact, doing grave damage to the gospel. They are perpetuating the myth that Christians are better than anybody else and driving away those who truly need the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ."
"It occurs to me that it's a good church whose pastor the people can comfort."
"In its simplest form, our greatest witness to the world is to show and tell how much we need Jesus."
"Where does a pro-choice Democrat with homosexual struggles go to church today? Not many churches I know of. For that matter, where does a sinner go to church?"
"The gospel is just what it is: good news for sinners. The only people who should be offended by it are people who can't admit their sin."
November 12, 2008
Don't judge other people. Always consider what they might be going through that you are not aware of.
July 9, 2024
This book came across my table as a recommendation (how is one supposed to think about a recommendation for the "Recovering Pharisee?") The book was enjoyable, though predictable in some thought patterns. I found myself having to wade through some ways of thinking that I've left behind in the last number of years (this book was published in 2000). Having said that, there were some engaging chapters and very useful thoughts for how to communicate and conduct oneself in order to leave Pharisaical thinking behind. I would liken this book to a chick emerging from the egg: something new and exciting is coming, but it must leave it's old container in order to grow and thrive. At the point of this book's publication, that old shell was still thick and uncompromising!
March 6, 2014
I had a hard time getting into this book. I was put off by the words "Christian Pharisee." Jesus made it clear that the Pharisees did not know God so I had a hard time with any Christian being put in the category of a Pharisee. Fischer believes this too becauae he states on p. 18 "Notice how obvious it is to Jesus that these Pharisees and representatives of the law have not entered the kingdom of heaven."
It wasn't until I reached p. 74 that I was able to resolve the conflict of using the phrase "Christian Pharisee." Fischer states "The answer to Pharisaism is to be born again.' Now I am saying "Praise the Lord!" I can understand that statement. The reason I give this book 3 stars is because of Fischer's beautiful and clear writings about mercy. We Christians have been shown mercy. How can we not show mercy to others. I didn't get what I deserved. I am thankful to have a merciful God and Fischer speaks very well about the beauty of our merciful God. "Blessed is the man to who the Lord imputes not iniquity, whose sins are covered."
It wasn't until I reached p. 74 that I was able to resolve the conflict of using the phrase "Christian Pharisee." Fischer states "The answer to Pharisaism is to be born again.' Now I am saying "Praise the Lord!" I can understand that statement. The reason I give this book 3 stars is because of Fischer's beautiful and clear writings about mercy. We Christians have been shown mercy. How can we not show mercy to others. I didn't get what I deserved. I am thankful to have a merciful God and Fischer speaks very well about the beauty of our merciful God. "Blessed is the man to who the Lord imputes not iniquity, whose sins are covered."
July 28, 2011
For anyone who grew up in a conservative Christian church (like me) this is a must-read.
February 28, 2016
The kind of book that every Christian, no matter how long they have been on their journey, should read and benefit from.
July 22, 2020
it is a book I come back to over and over! Speaks to my heart and soul and mind!! So, so good!!!
August 7, 2025
12 steps
This was a good book . Good reminder it is always about what God says about our sinful nature . We always need reminders . Thankful for God using others to keep us on track .
This was a good book . Good reminder it is always about what God says about our sinful nature . We always need reminders . Thankful for God using others to keep us on track .
May 14, 2020
Soul Searching
January 10, 2024
This is an updated and full chapter version of my favorite book of all time, Real Christians Don't Dance. Which still makes it a good read.
January 21, 2024
Not the type of book you should read fast! Take time to reflect- great book!
May 23, 2024
I almost didn’t read this book because I thought to myself, “I’m not a Pharisee. Those people are the Pharisees.” Ha! Can you imagine a more Pharisaical thing to say? Fortunately, I skimmed through the first step and immediately recognized myself. I ended up underlining a ton and remembered to apply it to myself and not that other person.
“I still err by choosing mercy for me and justice for everyone else….I can’t have it both ways “
“I still err by choosing mercy for me and justice for everyone else….I can’t have it both ways “
December 10, 2014
This book was recommended by the leader of a men's group I participate in. Using the format of the 12 step recovery program, Fisher created his own 12 steps to recovery from Phariseeism - the self-righteousness often found in many modern Christians. His insights are quite accurate and helpful. Those within the Christian community could benefit from his insights and analysis of the attitudes and actions of many 'evangelical' Christians and how to move toward a more authentic and honest discipleship. The one criticism I would have of the book is that each of the steps gets a little repetative. The book probably could have conveyed the same insights and truths in about 20-25% less pages/words. In addition, Fischer tends to automatically label certain types of people/behaviors as 'sinful' which many other thoughtful Christians would disagree - i.e., homosexuality, pro-choice, etc.
Still, a good read for anyone who honestly wishes to escape the falseness of much of contemporary evangelical Christianity.
Still, a good read for anyone who honestly wishes to escape the falseness of much of contemporary evangelical Christianity.
March 2, 2015
The Pharisee resides in us all. All of us have the tendencies to judge, condemn and point out the wrong in others, when we really need to apply it to ourselves. This book gave me pause to think about who I really am and how I’ve been viewing (and judging) those around me, when I should be applying it to myself. So, I’ve come to learn that I need to join the PA (Pharisees Anonymous) to overcome this addiction called Pharisee and this book is a great help in that process.
January 3, 2017
Wow! This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. It definitely makes the top 10. If you've been raised in church this is probably one you'll want to read. Don't make the same mistake I made. I chose not to write or highlight in it, so I could pass it on. Go ahead and plan to highlight away. Every page has great stuff! Just buy your friend their own copy! This book nailed me. I now feel like I may just be starting the second part of my life.
October 22, 2015
My husband and I read this aloud together. We both needed it. We still do, and it will probably be one we revisit. I was surprised at how much I liked Fischer's writing style as well as his content. I had never heard of him before, and, ironically, I did judge this book a bit by the cover which sadly I feel does not help the appeal of the book.
July 17, 2014
Although written in 2000, there is nothing dated about the truths in this book. John Fischer is honest, thoughtful, and challenging---and he shares his journey with Jesus---out of judgment and into joy. I hope our small group can study this book together.
June 20, 2016
Too simplistic
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews