The Pillars of Christian Character: The Essential Attitudes of a Living Faith

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

"To love [God] with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." –Jesus' words in Mark 12:33 Without question the crucial issue in living the Christian life is the condition of your heart. Actions may be temporarily deceiving, but ultimately our outward behavior will reflect what's inside, because our internal attitudes form who we really are. Those inner attitudes are also what God deems most important. In this book one of Christianity's most respected Bible teachers and pastors examines the foundational attitudes, or "pillars," of Christian character as outlined in God's Word. Pillars such as genuine faith, obedience, humility, selfless love, forgiveness, self-discipline, gratitude, and worship. To some degree each trait, on its own, marks a person as one of God's own and reveals an active, living faith. Each is an essential element of mature Christianity. But there is transforming power when you combine them in your everyday living as God commands. Your character will be grounded in godliness; you will see things from an eternal perspective; and your faith, your actions, your witness to others will be revitalized from the inside out.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Discipleship, Theology

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[Judit Toledo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro muy directo, muy práctico, muy lleno de Biblia así como es el autor, una bendición para un cristiano que empiece a andar con Cristo o para uno que quiera continuar haciéndolo con excelencia y con perseverancia.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen pillars of Christian character is explained and solidly backed by the Scriptures. It conveys a sense of immediacy to the priorities, plans, beliefs and behaviour of a Christian. Above all this on what the Christian should do, the book also highlights its source - God and His Word.

[Stephen Angliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

MacArthur at his pastoral best. Each chapter functions as a systematic theological sermon on tenets of the Christian faith. This was a soul-enriching read for me, and a chance as a shepherd in a local church to feel nurtured by another shepherd using God’s Word.

[Alex Popa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that describes simply what a Christian should examine and focus on his life for getting a Christian Character.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is beneficial for the seasoned Christian, young Christian, and any other Christian in between those categories. We live in a corrupt world and it feels like it gets more corrupt with each passing day. Personally, it is challenging for me to sometimes stay focused on the chief goal and remain faithful and obedient to God amid life’s folly. I am sure many other Christians share my challenge. When I found this book on Crossway Books website, I hoped it would refresh me on the Scriptures and how I can live a more Godly life.

In each chapter, author John F. MacArthur discusses each attitude he considers essential to Christianity. They are: faith, obedience, humbleness, love, unity, growth, forgiveness, rejoicing, gratefulness, courageous, self-discipline, worship, and hope. He backs up his writing with Scripture, mostly from Paul’s epistles. Paul suffered much for his belief and faith in God; Paul is a wonderful example for MacArthur to use while making his points. Some of the chapters were more helpful than others since I struggle in certain areas, yet all chapters reminded me how I need to act as a Christian.

As MacArthur states in his introduction, “the crucial issue in living the Christian life is the condition of your heart (p. 9)." I believe this as well. Before we can be at peace with the world and others around us, we need to find peace with God and within ourselves. Then we can go out and be the light of the world God commands us to be. While I may not agree with everything MacArthur writes, I did think he did a good job outlining the essential attributes and incorporating Scripture.

[David Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

For every Christian that reads this book, I imagine you will be like me; identifying areas where the fruit of the Lord’s work in you is evident, as you read through John MacArthur’s breakdown of the pillars of Christian character as he presents them. You will look at your old self and see just how far the Lord has brought you from that person. This is definitely reason to rejoice in God’s faithfulness in His work in you, as He promises.

But then there’s the other realization; just how much work there is to be done (by the Holy Spirit and through our own diligence) in many areas of your Christian character…

I would say that there’s much more of the latter than the former in all of us. This book does an excellent job of encouraging the believer through the Word of God and His promises to us, with John MacArthur presenting practical examples of how to model ourselves according to Scripture. But rather than leaving the reader in despair, John’s words admonish believers that Christ is our confidence and our hope, both now and in eternity to come:

“Are you in that waiting mode? Are you living as if Jesus could come in the next moment? Are you living in such a way that if He did come you would be pleased to have Him examine your life? You need to live every moment as if He might be here the next, for He might do just that.

That then is our hope. It should not frighten us. Rather, it
should fill our hearts with joy.

If you are building your life upon the pillars of Christian character we have studied throughout this book, you will not be ashamed when Jesus returns—you will be confident.”

[Allen Haynie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his book, The Pillars of Christian Character, John MacArthur begins by teaching Christians that our faith shapes everything in our walk with the LORD. John says that faith and obedience are linked in our covenant relationship with God made sure by the blood of Jesus. Christians are to have a life marked by increasing holiness and have an attitude of humility. Also, we must maintain unity in the Church and in the home before an unbelieving world. Our life is to be marked by spiritual maturity (not carnalness) through prayer, reading and obey God’s Word. As we grow in the LORD we will have joy and that the attitude of ingratitude has no place in our life. John goes on to say that Christians should be self disciplined by being organized, being on time, keeping our word, finishing what we start, accepting correction, practice self denial and welcoming responsibility. Believers need to understand that worship is giving God the honor He is due and it is our duty to give Him honor. We are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of defining who we as Christians should be and how that works out practically. It is a good practical handbook that is very down to earth. Recommended.