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Growing Gospel Integrity #1
Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness
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 readers 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
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
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2023
About the author
Gavin Ortlund
18 books208 followersGavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Ojai in Ojai, California. He was previously a research fellow for the Creation Project at the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of Finding the Right Hills to Die On, Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals, and Anselm's Pursuit of Joy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
January 28, 2023
A gentle jolt. So helpful.
April 4, 2024
Highly, highly, highly recommended.
This is now my ‘go to’ book on humility. It’s brief, practical, charitable, convicting, and convincing.
This is now my ‘go to’ book on humility. It’s brief, practical, charitable, convicting, and convincing.
September 14, 2023
Always lots of good stuff with Gavin Ortlund. This one is very similar to The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller. How humility frees us from our egos and in doing so brings us joy.
April 24, 2024
This is one of the most helpful little books I've ever read. Seriously, you should stop reading this review and go buy a copy!
Humility is perhaps the most genuine mark of a true follower of Jesus, yet one of the most rare. Many Christians with incredible gifts and talents have wrecked their testimonies and influence through a lack of humility. And conversely, the people who I respect most and who have had the most profound and lasting spiritual impact on me have all been humble men and women.
This short book (I read it in two sittings; maybe an hour total) speaks of two aspects of humility. The first half is about personal humility; the second half is about humility in the life of the church. It is an invaluable reminder and wake-up call for readers to pursue humility in every area of our lives as we seek to honor Christ.
Humility is perhaps the most genuine mark of a true follower of Jesus, yet one of the most rare. Many Christians with incredible gifts and talents have wrecked their testimonies and influence through a lack of humility. And conversely, the people who I respect most and who have had the most profound and lasting spiritual impact on me have all been humble men and women.
This short book (I read it in two sittings; maybe an hour total) speaks of two aspects of humility. The first half is about personal humility; the second half is about humility in the life of the church. It is an invaluable reminder and wake-up call for readers to pursue humility in every area of our lives as we seek to honor Christ.
April 19, 2023
Gavin Ortlund's "Humility" is a simple book about a challenging subject. Throughout, Ortlund wants to convince us of what a gift humility is. He encourages us that, "Humility is restorative, normalizing." He says that humility is "the key to flourishing, and life itself."
This is what I appreciated most about Ortlund's book. Humility is not some dour attribute we are to develop by pressing our nose into our own manure, but a freedom that comes when we lift our faces to the glory of Christ, the manifestation of humility.
Ortlund cuts through misconceptions and offers practical ways to build humility. He even speaks of how to cultivate humility in a social media age. He also talks about both a leader and a follower's responsibility to humility.
Ortlund leans heavily on CS Lewis, Tolkien, and Tim Keller throughout and is littered with references to Lord of the Rings. In that sense, Ortlund could have perhaps found some fresher sources. But, as a fan of those three, I enjoyed the well-worn quotes and references. I appreciated the short length, but would have loved for Ortlund's chapter on "ten practices" to have been expanded. There was a lot more that could have been mined.
I really appreciated Ortlund's "Humility" and commend it to you. We all need the reminder that, "Humility is inherently cheerful and uplifting."
This is what I appreciated most about Ortlund's book. Humility is not some dour attribute we are to develop by pressing our nose into our own manure, but a freedom that comes when we lift our faces to the glory of Christ, the manifestation of humility.
Ortlund cuts through misconceptions and offers practical ways to build humility. He even speaks of how to cultivate humility in a social media age. He also talks about both a leader and a follower's responsibility to humility.
Ortlund leans heavily on CS Lewis, Tolkien, and Tim Keller throughout and is littered with references to Lord of the Rings. In that sense, Ortlund could have perhaps found some fresher sources. But, as a fan of those three, I enjoyed the well-worn quotes and references. I appreciated the short length, but would have loved for Ortlund's chapter on "ten practices" to have been expanded. There was a lot more that could have been mined.
I really appreciated Ortlund's "Humility" and commend it to you. We all need the reminder that, "Humility is inherently cheerful and uplifting."
January 16, 2023
An encouraging book on how someone can pursue humility in the Christian life.
His chapter on envy was the most convicting for me.
His chapter on envy was the most convicting for me.
March 22, 2024
I love the way Ortlund writes. His exposition of scripture and use of other faithful Bible teachers helps to make his points land clearly and powerfully. Chapter two particularly felt like it was written for me and I’m thankful for gentle, pastoral correction. On embracing our moments of painful self-discovery, he writes that “In your most foolish moment, you are tenderly loved by Christ. His love for you is greater than your shame or regret. In whatever place you feel the sting of legal humiliation, in that poignant area of need—you are loved.”
Oh what a joy to be once again embraced by the Father of mercies!
Oh what a joy to be once again embraced by the Father of mercies!
July 19, 2024
Found this a really helpful book outlining how the gospel defines and fuels humility. “Ultimately, humility is the result not of desperation but if comfort. It flows from a deep-seated, heartfelt awareness of the love of God”.
I found the chapter on envy most helpful. Ortland talks of envy as the constant thief of joy. Some other vices tend to produce pleasure but envy is unpleasant through and through.
“The ultimate expression of envy came in the garden of eden… there is no heaven that envy cannot make into a hell.”
One tip that i will try take into practice is to pray for blessings on those i am envious of. “The more you pray for God’s blessing on someone, the more the tentacles of envy around your heart are weakened.”
Highly recommend - also good points on humility in the church and church leadership.
I found the chapter on envy most helpful. Ortland talks of envy as the constant thief of joy. Some other vices tend to produce pleasure but envy is unpleasant through and through.
“The ultimate expression of envy came in the garden of eden… there is no heaven that envy cannot make into a hell.”
One tip that i will try take into practice is to pray for blessings on those i am envious of. “The more you pray for God’s blessing on someone, the more the tentacles of envy around your heart are weakened.”
Highly recommend - also good points on humility in the church and church leadership.
May 4, 2023
This was simply spectacular! What a perfect little book! The Lord was working on me on this and it landed perfectly for me. The first half lays out why humility is a gospel must! Then walks through what it looks like in various situations! So so good! It is a quick read but meaty and powerful! Highest recommendation
March 30, 2024
This short book is full of such truths I needed to hear and surprising joy and rest in the Lord that will definitely listen to again and probably need to buy the book as I look at the pages of notes I’ve taken 😅 5+ stars ⭐️
March 5, 2024
Just as helpful and convicting the second time. This book makes for a good devotional.
May 21, 2023
Gospel-saturated thoughts. Humility is "self-forgetfulness leading to joy" (xxvi).
January 22, 2024
Ortlund is an easy read, and the influence of those like Lewis come at well as he engages readers all different levels of this book is practical, pastoral, and readily applicable. The intermittent prayers throughout call readers to engage in the pursuit of holiness by actually seeking the Lord. The discussion questions allow readers to engage in conversation with others and with the self about one’s current state of humility. A helpful book for all Christian, a necessary one for those in ministry.
December 26, 2023
good reminder, easy read!!
“And here is a wonderful strategy: to fill our hearts so full of the gospel that this is what we want to do. How happy is this thought: to be so captivated by Christ’s love that we’d rather talk about him than ourselves. Truly there is joy in that place.”
“And here is a wonderful strategy: to fill our hearts so full of the gospel that this is what we want to do. How happy is this thought: to be so captivated by Christ’s love that we’d rather talk about him than ourselves. Truly there is joy in that place.”
March 8, 2024
Helpful. I dare say the Christian needs two things on this earth in which all other things will flow out of. Their Bible, and humility. This book is a reminder why.
October 31, 2023
Just gonna plow through a bunch of stuff on this topic and marinate in it without much comment. One good takeaway from this one: keep asking, "Who am I that...?"
July 27, 2023
Humbling…
July 26, 2023
Very convicting and thought provoking. Great read.
May 14, 2023
Straight fire.
April 4, 2024
This is a great bare-bones book about one of the most complex, challenging topics out there. It's an easy, even simple read, yet you'll want to underline every sentence.
January 9, 2023
Excellent read! So much wisdom packed into such a small book. I will definitely be reading again. I think is a helpful orienting book to evaluate how you are viewing the world, and the kind of person you are being/becoming.
January 28, 2023
Clear, concise, relevant, and encouraging, Ortlund presents a grounded presentation of what humility means in the life of a Christian. Outstanding.
June 6, 2024
Edifying; 6/5 stars. Gavin Ortlund has a way of putting the mystery of faith into visceral terms. Gratitude, sacrifice, self-forgetfulness, humility—in summary, love—are not just concepts, rungs of a holy ladder to climb. They’re warm rays of reflection from the burning heart of a fully satisfied worshiper of Christ.
April 2, 2024
Wow. Super convicting. Extremely powerful. There is so much joy to be had in the world and we too often miss it. This book is an excellent starting point if you’re feeling chockablock.
April 16, 2023
Such a good, helpful, convicting little book!
August 10, 2023
Brief and necessary. Will return to it often. Added to the likes of Lewis’ ch. 8 in Mere Christianity and Andrew Murray’s book as classic conversations on the subject.
September 7, 2023
Great stuff! A lot of Narnia quotes. He gives a theology of humility (why we should be humble as humans made by God), and then he gave practical ways to be humble at different levels (peers, leaders, in church, etc). Most helpful part: humility radiates joy - the humble person thinks everything is a privilege; they see life, interactions, marriage, people, the Bible, prayer, and everything they do/have as a blessing from the hand of God. Would recommend!
February 16, 2023
Another accessible volume on the topic of humility was past due and Gavin has done us a great service with this quick read. <100 pages but my highlighter was busy. Some parts sting yet Gavin graciously applies the gospel throughout. Would recommend it to all pastors/church leaders and any believing brother or sister, with a note that chapter 4 is written to/for pastors specifically.
July 2, 2024
This was truly excellent. In this short little book, Gavin was theological, practical, thought-provoking, funny, and sincere. What an important topic to consider and learn from, and I'm so thankful to have found this book! His premise, that humility is the pathway to joy, and joy so the result of humility, is very well considered and I think has strong merit.
February 26, 2024
Great, easy read! Good vision and practicals for living a life of humility. I love how Ortlund uses joy as the acid test for true humility!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews