Humility

The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness (Growing Gospel Integrity)

By: Gavin Ortlund

Narrated by: Tom Parks

Cultivating Humility in a Gospel-Centered Way

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be humble. Some think that being humble means hiding your talents and abilities or being weak and inauthentic. But the Bible paints a different picture—defining humility as a self-forgetfulness leading to joy and explaining that it is a life-giving virtue that frees you from the restricting needs of your ego.

In Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness, Gavin Ortlund encourages listeners that humility is not just an abstract virtue but a mark of gospel integrity. Ortlund examines humility both on a personal level and in the context of the church, giving examples of ways to cultivate it—including meditation on the gospel and practicing intentional gratitude. Drawing from Philippians 2 and historical texts such as C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity and Jonathan Edwards's sermon "A Christian Spirit Is a Humble Spirit," Ortlund defines humility in light of the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ, casting a vision for a gospel-centered, humble life.

• First Book in the Growing Gospel Integrity Series: Created in partnership with Union School of Theology, with future volumes written by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joe Rigney, and Conrad Mbewe
• Written by Gavin Ortlund: Author of Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future and Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
• For Small Groups and Individual Study: Questions at the end of each chapter encourage small group discussion

©2023 Gavin Ortlund (P)2023 Crossway

Great counsel for all of us who need humility

Humility is seeing ourselves accurately which is good and bad news. In ourselves bad, but in Christ is good news that we do not have to find value in the temporary, but in Him who is eternal.

Gentle and clear teaching on perhaps THE virtue!

Well reasoned explanation of the antidote of our central sin of pride. The explanation, firmly rooted in Scripture, are both simple and challenging. Dr. Ortlund’s personal strategies and habits are very helpful. Now, I must follow through, making changes to how I live to God’s glory.

A Wonderful Consideration of the Benefits of Humility

Gavin Ortlund has written an enriching piece on the value of humility, a virtue that our contemporary culture has increasingly forgotten. His description of humility as “self-forgetfulness leading to joy” is a succinct phrase well worth remembering and his short book explores the topic nicely without belaboring any particular aspect. The author is a pastor, so he naturally approaches his subject from a Christian point of view. Unlike some reviewers who criticized the various Biblical references and his discussion of the exercise of humility within the context of the church, I found his approach uplifting and edifying. I believe that a reader from any background could benefit from reading or listening to this book. I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a fine job as well. I have recommended this audiobook to friends and family and am eager to explore other works by this author.

This book is for everyone!

If you're thinking about purchasing this book, I tell you, go. it's for everyone!

This is a great review of what humility is

I think this book reminds us of how important humility is, and what it is and this is a great help in my life