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Beauty Is Your Destiny: How the Promise of Splendor Changes Everything
An Examination of Beauty in the Christian Life from Philip Ryken
The world is full of beautiful things—the vibrancy of trees in fall, the joy of sitting around a table with family—but in our fallen world, many beautiful things have been turned into ugly distortions. How should Christians think about beauty in a world that is often ugly?
In Beauty Is Your Destiny, Philip Ryken provides readers with an introduction to the theology and practice of beauty, striving to awaken a longing for beauty that he explains “can only be satisfied in the face of Jesus Christ.” Adapted from chapel messages given at Wheaton College, Ryken considers key topics on Christian thought—including the Trinity, the incarnation, sexuality, and racial diversity—through the lens of beauty, showing how beauty illuminates each of these biblical principles in our world today.
Introduction to the Theology of Great for college students, pastors, and small groups Biblically Examines how beauty is seen in Christian doctrines such as eternity, the church, and the crucifixion Written by Philip President of Wheaton College and author of Grace Transforming; Is Jesus the Only Way?; and Loving the Way Jesus Loves
The world is full of beautiful things—the vibrancy of trees in fall, the joy of sitting around a table with family—but in our fallen world, many beautiful things have been turned into ugly distortions. How should Christians think about beauty in a world that is often ugly?
In Beauty Is Your Destiny, Philip Ryken provides readers with an introduction to the theology and practice of beauty, striving to awaken a longing for beauty that he explains “can only be satisfied in the face of Jesus Christ.” Adapted from chapel messages given at Wheaton College, Ryken considers key topics on Christian thought—including the Trinity, the incarnation, sexuality, and racial diversity—through the lens of beauty, showing how beauty illuminates each of these biblical principles in our world today.
Introduction to the Theology of Great for college students, pastors, and small groups Biblically Examines how beauty is seen in Christian doctrines such as eternity, the church, and the crucifixion Written by Philip President of Wheaton College and author of Grace Transforming; Is Jesus the Only Way?; and Loving the Way Jesus Loves
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2023
13 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Philip Graham Ryken
109 books71 followersPhilip Graham Ryken is Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has preached since 1995. He is Bible Teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. Dr. Ryken was educated at Wheaton College (IL), Westminster Theological Seminary (PA) and the University of Oxford (UK), from which he received his doctorate in historical theology. He lives with his wife (Lisa) and children (Joshua, Kirsten, Jack, Kathryn, and Karoline) in Center City, Philadelphia. When he is not preaching or spending time with his family, he likes to read books, play sports, and ponder the relationship between Christian faith and American culture. He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Bible commentaries on Exodus, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Galatians.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 25, 2025
Really great quick read on the Beauty inherent in God Himself and in Christ and the implications of that beauty for Believers and for the world.
I really enjoyed Rykens thoughts on the beauty inherent in Christ Himself and some of the ideas pertaining to the beauty inherent in small or "mundane" acts of faithfulness. Something needn't be extravagant to be beautiful.
He deals well with the effects of Sin in the world and makes great contentions for the existence of God arguing from the beauty of the world.
There were several places his personal view on the environment and race came into view and I think went a bit beyond what Scripture speaks to for those things. But I generally agree we are stewards or creation and are called to care for the world. What that looks like specifically is what I would disagree slightly with him on (global warming, etc.).
Similarly, I agree that the church is diverse and beautiful because of unity in Christ(Revelation). But what are the implications? Do we need to "pursue" diversity, or is Christ enough to draw people from every nation, tribe and tongue? I would argue the latter is Scriptural, and while Ryken i think would agree, there were some comments that seemed to promote actions beyond merely the gospel to reconcile race (he brought up Obamas as an example at one point).
But overall I think this book was super helpful and insightful into a topic we rarely discuss, but is present throughout the Bible. Just be aware of some of the more liberal Wheaton College ideas bleeding through the pages in certain points.
I really enjoyed Rykens thoughts on the beauty inherent in Christ Himself and some of the ideas pertaining to the beauty inherent in small or "mundane" acts of faithfulness. Something needn't be extravagant to be beautiful.
He deals well with the effects of Sin in the world and makes great contentions for the existence of God arguing from the beauty of the world.
There were several places his personal view on the environment and race came into view and I think went a bit beyond what Scripture speaks to for those things. But I generally agree we are stewards or creation and are called to care for the world. What that looks like specifically is what I would disagree slightly with him on (global warming, etc.).
Similarly, I agree that the church is diverse and beautiful because of unity in Christ(Revelation). But what are the implications? Do we need to "pursue" diversity, or is Christ enough to draw people from every nation, tribe and tongue? I would argue the latter is Scriptural, and while Ryken i think would agree, there were some comments that seemed to promote actions beyond merely the gospel to reconcile race (he brought up Obamas as an example at one point).
But overall I think this book was super helpful and insightful into a topic we rarely discuss, but is present throughout the Bible. Just be aware of some of the more liberal Wheaton College ideas bleeding through the pages in certain points.
January 2, 2026
I was caught between giving this book three or four stars. I think it deserves four stars because it did exactly what Ryken intended. It whet my appetite for theological aesthetics and a desire to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. It was a bit dry but that comes with it being an overview and an introduction to the study of beauty. I would recommend it to my evangelical brothers and sisters who are also hungry to see a focus on beauty in our churches.
August 17, 2023
“Throughout this book, we have taken a hard look at the ugliness around us—the depravity, division, and degradation—and at the same time tried to see the eternal beauty that God wants to create in us. By the power of the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead to immortal splendor, beauty is our destiny. With this goal in mind, we are called to live a beautiful life—what the prophet Jeremiah described as a life ‘beautiful with good fruit’ (Jer. 11:16).”
This is an inspiring and beautiful book that meditates on the beauty of God himself, and on the resulting beauty found in creation, in human beings, and especially in the gospel and in Christ’s beautiful bride, the church. A truly hopeful and inspiring read, well grounded in Scripture. This is one of the best new Christian books I’ve read.
This is an inspiring and beautiful book that meditates on the beauty of God himself, and on the resulting beauty found in creation, in human beings, and especially in the gospel and in Christ’s beautiful bride, the church. A truly hopeful and inspiring read, well grounded in Scripture. This is one of the best new Christian books I’ve read.
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March 3, 2025A fine introduction to the theology of beauty for someone who hasn’t done any reading on it and is curious.
Strengths: the chapter on the cross. Wow. Some great meat in there. Also, the explanation of why we need beauty and what its purpose is were helpful.
Weaknesses: no discussion of the beauty of God’s Word. This surprised me. Special revelation is the counterpart to natural revelation, and is explicitly better than natural revelation. The Word is beautiful. Also, sections felt politically or culturally motivated and seemed a bit tacked on.
Strengths: the chapter on the cross. Wow. Some great meat in there. Also, the explanation of why we need beauty and what its purpose is were helpful.
Weaknesses: no discussion of the beauty of God’s Word. This surprised me. Special revelation is the counterpart to natural revelation, and is explicitly better than natural revelation. The Word is beautiful. Also, sections felt politically or culturally motivated and seemed a bit tacked on.
August 1, 2025
Really enjoyed this book - a different slant on the gospel. Its beauty, Christs beauty and our beauty. Give it a read.
November 7, 2024
Written by Philip Ryken, “Beauty Is Your Destiny” reminds us that God’s beauty is all around us. It shows us that the beauty in all of life is intertwined with the ultimate beauty of Jesus’ life.
The book’s aim is that we yearn for God’s love and beauty anew, knowing that this yearning can only be satisfied in the face of Christ. Ryken writes, “Beauty is our destiny. We were born to be beautiful—to behold the beauty of our God and to be so transfixed and transformed by it that we become beautiful ourselves.”
I found this book to be a delightful addition to topical theology books. As the lovely fall leaves colorize the landscape around me, I was inspired to pay attention to the beauty God has placed both in & around us, whether in ourselves (as those made on His image), in His created world, in our relationships, and especially in Himself & His Word.
Highlights:
“What makes us beautiful—after all our wounds and scars—is God the Holy Spirit.”
“When we keep our eyes wide open, we see the beauty of God everywhere we look, from earth to sky. Our loving Lord gives us these varied glimpses of intrinsic beauty to awaken in us a transcendent, expectant desire that will be fully and finally satisfied when we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ.”
“If you are a child of God, made pure by the righteous blood of your Savior, then beauty is your destiny too—the eternal, shining beauty you will behold and become forever when you see your crucified, risen Lord Jesus face-to-face.”
“Are we working harder on what is inside us or on what people see from the outside? Does who we are matter more to us or who people think we are? True beauty works its way from the inside out.”
“Our calling to love one another is a call to see his beauty in one another and then to treat one another with the holy reverence that sacred beauty demands.”
“If beauty is the visible glory of God, then we should make whatever life sacrifices it takes for others to see his beauty alongside us.”
“Where do we learn how to live such a beautiful life? From the beautiful life that Jesus lived and the beautiful death he died.”
Total: 4.5 Stars
Readability: 5
Impact: 4
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The book’s aim is that we yearn for God’s love and beauty anew, knowing that this yearning can only be satisfied in the face of Christ. Ryken writes, “Beauty is our destiny. We were born to be beautiful—to behold the beauty of our God and to be so transfixed and transformed by it that we become beautiful ourselves.”
I found this book to be a delightful addition to topical theology books. As the lovely fall leaves colorize the landscape around me, I was inspired to pay attention to the beauty God has placed both in & around us, whether in ourselves (as those made on His image), in His created world, in our relationships, and especially in Himself & His Word.
Highlights:
“What makes us beautiful—after all our wounds and scars—is God the Holy Spirit.”
“When we keep our eyes wide open, we see the beauty of God everywhere we look, from earth to sky. Our loving Lord gives us these varied glimpses of intrinsic beauty to awaken in us a transcendent, expectant desire that will be fully and finally satisfied when we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ.”
“If you are a child of God, made pure by the righteous blood of your Savior, then beauty is your destiny too—the eternal, shining beauty you will behold and become forever when you see your crucified, risen Lord Jesus face-to-face.”
“Are we working harder on what is inside us or on what people see from the outside? Does who we are matter more to us or who people think we are? True beauty works its way from the inside out.”
“Our calling to love one another is a call to see his beauty in one another and then to treat one another with the holy reverence that sacred beauty demands.”
“If beauty is the visible glory of God, then we should make whatever life sacrifices it takes for others to see his beauty alongside us.”
“Where do we learn how to live such a beautiful life? From the beautiful life that Jesus lived and the beautiful death he died.”
Total: 4.5 Stars
Readability: 5
Impact: 4
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
August 12, 2023
Ryken believe he's found a good hook to engage with college students (these were originally chapel sermons). Perhaps he has. The book is basically a look at the biblical storyline through the lens of beauty. And beauty is very close to glory, so at times the book reads like watered-down John Piper. Now, to be clear--watered-down John Piper is still pretty good.
The best chapters are clearly the ones that focus most on Christ--the beauty of his life and the beauty of his death. But all chapters touched on the gospel, mostly in typical terms (again, nothing wrong with that). A few of his applications go askew--he's clear drunk too much of the water there on his college campus. Perhaps he ought to spend less time around environmental studies majors. But he's a good preacher and an excellent communicator, and this work is no waste of time.
The best chapters are clearly the ones that focus most on Christ--the beauty of his life and the beauty of his death. But all chapters touched on the gospel, mostly in typical terms (again, nothing wrong with that). A few of his applications go askew--he's clear drunk too much of the water there on his college campus. Perhaps he ought to spend less time around environmental studies majors. But he's a good preacher and an excellent communicator, and this work is no waste of time.
January 9, 2026
I love when I see familial themes in authors. Leland Ryken was such a giant in the theology world of art and beauty and to see his son contributing in the same manner warms my heart 💓 This book was thoughtfully organized and a collection of wonderful quotes for my commonplace. Here is one of my favorites:
“The ardent lover of beauty longs to be filled with the very stamp of the archetype. And the bold request which goes up to the mountains of desire asks this: to enjoy the Beauty not in mirrors and reflections, but face to face” (Gregory of Nyssa)
The title says it all: Beauty IS our destiny!
“The ardent lover of beauty longs to be filled with the very stamp of the archetype. And the bold request which goes up to the mountains of desire asks this: to enjoy the Beauty not in mirrors and reflections, but face to face” (Gregory of Nyssa)
The title says it all: Beauty IS our destiny!
November 10, 2024
A beautiful book on the beauty of God and his world!
I first heard about this book on The Great Christian Books Podcast and, because it was my favorite episode thus far, I decided to read this book. While it is an amazing book, I honestly liked the podcast episode about it more. So, I would recommend listening to that episode, and if you’re really interested, check out this book!
I first heard about this book on The Great Christian Books Podcast and, because it was my favorite episode thus far, I decided to read this book. While it is an amazing book, I honestly liked the podcast episode about it more. So, I would recommend listening to that episode, and if you’re really interested, check out this book!
August 29, 2023
This book points to the destiny of the Christian. Even in all the ugliness that we see, God is working for our ultimate beauty. Some books on the subject are more academic or philosophical, but this book is practical and down to earth.
February 1, 2024
This book was so good!!! Really opened my eyes to seeing beauty around me… ultimately recognizing that my heart’s longing and my destiny is to gaze upon the beauty of Jesus, the Most Beautiful, and inquire in his temple. Can’t wait!!!
July 5, 2025
A really beautiful look at what it means to be created for beauty and created by a beautiful God. Deep and yet attainable Dr. Ryken looks at many different examples of artists and writers along the way. It felt a little slow at some moments but over all so good.
July 13, 2024
I liked chapter 2. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have kept going.
March 9, 2025
Beautiful! Super encouraging.
This book isn’t about defining beauty as much as calling Christians to live beautiful lives.
First half is fantastic. Second half was a little weaker, but still great.
This book isn’t about defining beauty as much as calling Christians to live beautiful lives.
First half is fantastic. Second half was a little weaker, but still great.
May 29, 2025
A great book around the theology of beauty. Ryken explores both the profound and the ordinary topics. As an artist I loved the premise that beauty is not superfluous, but a core tenet of God’s creation. Not only does God create beauty, but he cares about it. He takes the time to paint beauty into every aspect of his creation, even the unobserved. I loved the reflection on how science speaks to God’s beauty in the beauty of equations or structures such as DNA. Lovely little book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews