I had never heard of this book until today. But I feel a kinship with what you wrote. I was taught that tough love was the best love. Tough love shows people the truth and opens up the way to repentance. And the same thing about the overwhelming love of Jesus, that’s for liberals.
I think I’m gonna buy that book and see if my pastor wants to read it. I believe he has an open and tender heart.
This is truth. And in retrospect, wasn't God kind to give us that book five years ago for such a time as this? And reckoning with God's love settled me through the loss of my husband a year ago. I love this book.
Nothing has taught me more about the love of God than being a mother - and then looking back on the love and grace of my own parents. It is a beautiful journey, and, once you see that kind of love firmly, actually, pervasively *there* in the pages of the Bible, it's even more addictive than works. Thanks for sharing!
Five years ago, this booked pushed me right out of Evangelism and right into Reformed--preaching of the law and the gospel. Seeing our failures as lawbreakers but look upon the risen Christ and be saved.
Every Sunday, I hear the gospel--all that God has done for us. Now I get to obey God. God has granted me repentance and I get to repent.
I sin mightily but the Almighty God is infinitely mightier to save. Praise be to God.
I have found it helpful as a preacher to get into what motivates good behavior—not willpower but a deep cherishing of something worthy, beautiful and true.
I definitely get that from your writing. Keep it coming!
I really love the story with your son on your lap and what it taught you about God's father love and how that is linked to the book and its amazing title. However, I struggle with this due to what the author Dane Ortlund seems to have done. I don't know all the details, but there has been some pretty reliable reports of bullying, firing, power abuse and misogyny, e.g. here: https://julieroys.com/podcast/dane-ortlund-whistleblower-expert-discuss-workplace-bullying/
This is not to diminish the original ideas, but I can't shake off an uneasy feeling when someone seems not to practice what he preaches. I guess it's not just ideas and thoughts in a book that count, but what kind of lifestyle, community and habits you integrate into your life so that you really receive and express the "gentle and lowly"-spirit of Christ.
Thank you for this. I knew about the book but did not read it. You made a great case for me to get started. Your description of Ortland’s work reminds me of how I experienced Michael Reeves’ writing on the delight of the Trinity. Same book series.
Although it's been years since my initial reading of Gentle and Lowly, I still remember the moment I felt entirely loved by God while immersed in Ortlund's incredible book. I had known for decades that God loved me, but I hadn't felt His love. The arms of my Heavenly Father enveloped me, and despite all of my flaws, I experienced a love beyond comprehension. I will always cherish Gentle and Lowly for the way it shifted my view of God from a God of wrath to a God of love.
Wow. An incredible review, reminder, and challenge. I had the same experience as a Reformed evangelical: I turned the truth of the gospel into a tool of self-flagellation and deprecation, because that was easier to believe and do than resting in the promises and love of God. “My gospel” was 1/2 a gospel and thus, no gospel. It enabled me to live on one side of the coin as cursed, while condemning any reckoning of the other side, blessed. It was a gospel that was easy to believe in that it rested simply in my agreement that I was the worst worm of unworthiness and it gave license, party favors, and invitations my proverbial pity party. Thanks for the wake-up call.
Thank you so much for this. There are times when the voice of the enemy starts to get louder in my ears. He tries to tell me that my persistence in writing and teaching that the faith, hope and love of our God is the more important portion is a lost cause in today's cultural climate. Then something like this comes along to restore full faith and joy in my mission. It's a blessing.
I had never heard of this book until today. But I feel a kinship with what you wrote. I was taught that tough love was the best love. Tough love shows people the truth and opens up the way to repentance. And the same thing about the overwhelming love of Jesus, that’s for liberals.
I think I’m gonna buy that book and see if my pastor wants to read it. I believe he has an open and tender heart.
This is truth. And in retrospect, wasn't God kind to give us that book five years ago for such a time as this? And reckoning with God's love settled me through the loss of my husband a year ago. I love this book.
As a widower whose wife died nearly 7 years ago I can echo similar sentiments!
Nothing has taught me more about the love of God than being a mother - and then looking back on the love and grace of my own parents. It is a beautiful journey, and, once you see that kind of love firmly, actually, pervasively *there* in the pages of the Bible, it's even more addictive than works. Thanks for sharing!
Five years ago, this booked pushed me right out of Evangelism and right into Reformed--preaching of the law and the gospel. Seeing our failures as lawbreakers but look upon the risen Christ and be saved.
Every Sunday, I hear the gospel--all that God has done for us. Now I get to obey God. God has granted me repentance and I get to repent.
I sin mightily but the Almighty God is infinitely mightier to save. Praise be to God.
Wonderfully put, thank you.
I have found it helpful as a preacher to get into what motivates good behavior—not willpower but a deep cherishing of something worthy, beautiful and true.
I definitely get that from your writing. Keep it coming!
I really love the story with your son on your lap and what it taught you about God's father love and how that is linked to the book and its amazing title. However, I struggle with this due to what the author Dane Ortlund seems to have done. I don't know all the details, but there has been some pretty reliable reports of bullying, firing, power abuse and misogyny, e.g. here: https://julieroys.com/podcast/dane-ortlund-whistleblower-expert-discuss-workplace-bullying/
or here: https://katelynbeaty.substack.com/p/emily-hyland-firing-dane-ortlund-gentle-lowly (paywall but free trial possible).
This is not to diminish the original ideas, but I can't shake off an uneasy feeling when someone seems not to practice what he preaches. I guess it's not just ideas and thoughts in a book that count, but what kind of lifestyle, community and habits you integrate into your life so that you really receive and express the "gentle and lowly"-spirit of Christ.
Thank you for this. I knew about the book but did not read it. You made a great case for me to get started. Your description of Ortland’s work reminds me of how I experienced Michael Reeves’ writing on the delight of the Trinity. Same book series.
Although it's been years since my initial reading of Gentle and Lowly, I still remember the moment I felt entirely loved by God while immersed in Ortlund's incredible book. I had known for decades that God loved me, but I hadn't felt His love. The arms of my Heavenly Father enveloped me, and despite all of my flaws, I experienced a love beyond comprehension. I will always cherish Gentle and Lowly for the way it shifted my view of God from a God of wrath to a God of love.
Wow. An incredible review, reminder, and challenge. I had the same experience as a Reformed evangelical: I turned the truth of the gospel into a tool of self-flagellation and deprecation, because that was easier to believe and do than resting in the promises and love of God. “My gospel” was 1/2 a gospel and thus, no gospel. It enabled me to live on one side of the coin as cursed, while condemning any reckoning of the other side, blessed. It was a gospel that was easy to believe in that it rested simply in my agreement that I was the worst worm of unworthiness and it gave license, party favors, and invitations my proverbial pity party. Thanks for the wake-up call.
Such a good book!!
As a father who has a Heavenly Father, my heart melts with yours
Thank you so much for this. There are times when the voice of the enemy starts to get louder in my ears. He tries to tell me that my persistence in writing and teaching that the faith, hope and love of our God is the more important portion is a lost cause in today's cultural climate. Then something like this comes along to restore full faith and joy in my mission. It's a blessing.
My church read the book and I am therefore so glad that I did! (I had seen Sam's original TGC review).