©2005, P & R Publishing, ©2005, l82 pages

We are all familiar with pride.  It has ways of oozing into our words, deeds, and body language.  Additionally, we struggle with it internally in thinking ourselves to be better than others. This book examines pride and its opposite, positive character trait, humility.

Mindful of his own struggle with pride, Mack begins with four chapters devoted to the importance of humility and how Christians can achieve it.  Many scriptures rehearse what God has to say regarding the subject.

The fifth chapter is devoted to the foolishness of pride.  This is a very important and relevant subject.  Our culture exalts pride, which meets with approval from man’s sinful nature.  We are constantly reminded not to injure another’s self-esteem.  “It’s all about me,” is a familiar slogan seen about town.  Mack shows that scripturally we, as sinners, have nothing in and of ourselves.  All that we have is a gift from God.  It is His loving kindness that showers us with blessing.

In the final two chapters, again using the treasury of scripture, the author explores ways that humility can be developed in us, replacing sinful pride.  Even as humility is firmly rooted and growing,  the battle is far from won.  We must take care not to become proud of our humility.

As a Calvinistic Christian, I am not sure that we in the reformed world have mastered this important attribute of humility.  Outsiders, no doubt, can see weakness in our continuing ability to argue among ourselves and create more churches and denominations for reasons that we assure ourselves are biblical.

We know that we are totally depraved.  An essential part of our depravity is the desire to shift ourselves into prominence.  Most readers will realize that they are quite prideful.  Thankfully, God does not leave us to our own devices.  He continues to sanctify us.  This book may well be a tool that the Holy Spirit uses to increase that sanctification.

Each chapter concludes with application avenues and discussion items.  This practical format makes it useful for individual study as well as for group Bible studies.  I look forward to using it as a resource in teaching a Sunday school class.

 Review ©2006 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia