In Hopes Of Being Helpful

When Larissa asked me if I was interested in blogging with her, I admit I was somewhat hesitant. I honestly have niether the time nor the inclination to type. Perhaps though, that is due in part to the fact that I use only two fingers. At any rate, I warmed to the idea when I realized how much of a blessing it would be to my own soul to prepare and put out entries for this blog. My real hope, however, is that what is written might bless you also. For this reason, I have purposefully chosen to limit the scope of what I intend to write. Though I love academics, particularly when studying strenghtens my understanding of God's word, I will not be purely academic. Though I love simplistic practical truth, particularly when such truth strengthens my daily walk as a disciple of Christ, I will not be purely practical. What I desire to be more than anything is helpful. If I can help others see clearer how great and glorious the one and only Triune God is, than any time spent posting on this blog will be well spent. In an attempt to achieve this end, my postings will vary a great deal in subject matter and length, but never focus. Tonight I offer up a review of a book on the often neglected topic of humility. I hope after reading this review that you will be persuaded to use your lunch money to purchase this book. Your stomach may growl, but I assure you you will be richly fed.

Humility: The Forgotten Virtue by Wayne A. Mack, with Joshua Mack. Phillipsburg, NJ:
Presbyterian and Reformed, 2005. Pp. 180.

In chapter 5 of the first epistle that bears his name, the apostle Peter warns the people of God that Satan is “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”(v. 8). Most Christians know that Satan’s relentless pursuit of their soul is futile, yet his temptations and attacks continue on and are as real as a believer’s security in Christ. There are many fronts upon which the Christian fights his greatest adversary but few if any are as challenging as the battlefront of pride. In fact, the Holy Spirit did not accidentally inspire Peter to warn about Satan only three verses after calling for God’s people “to be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility for ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (V. 5). If humility fails to characterize a Christian’s life than they have little hope for achieving victory in the daily battle against the devil. For this reason, Wayne Mack’s Humility: The Forgotten Virtue is a welcome treatise on a sorely neglected but vitally important topic.
In Humility: The Forgotten Virtue, Dr. Mack begins his book by establishing the biblical mandate for humility. He then defines humility by defining pride and setting forth four qualities that describe a person who is genuinely humble.
Throughout the course of the next three chapters seventeen descriptions are given that paint a complete portrait of the humble. Ten of those descriptions are shown by Mack to be recognizable in the way a believer contemplates, interacts with, and responds to their great God. However, being humble in one’s relationship with God is only part of living as a humble Christian. One must also display humility in everyday interaction with their fellow man. For this reason, the remaining seven descriptions address this important reality.
As the reader comes to chapter 5, Mack’s focus shifts slightly. In this chapter his purpose is simple—explain the foolishness of pride. Pride not only “produces” things we should shun but it also “prevents” things we should embrace (pg. 111). Based on Mack’s condemnation of pride, which he shows from scripture is ultimately God’s condemnation of pride, the reader is lead to rightly conclude that no one is able to live a life pleasing to God while embracing pride. This fact is made all the more obvious in the final few paragraphs of this chapter, when Mack reminds his readers of the tremendous humility displayed by our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the reader digests the final two chapters in Mack’s book they are promised an answer to how a Christian can put into practice what has been asserted in the previous 5 chapters. His highly competent and biblically sound answer neither neglects God’s grace or man’s responsibility. He begins by reminding his readers that “humility begins with the new birth” (p. 123). No matter how much a man may work to achieve humility it will never be realized apart from the empowerment of a gracious God. Yet, as Mack points out, man must work to cultivate humility. As in all areas of the Christian life, humility comes when we diligently labor to practice the virtue while remembering that all action is grace enabled.
In the preface to Humility: The Forgotten Virtue Mack states that he intends to use a “four-D approach” in helping his readers better understand pride and humility in light of scripture (p. 14). This method consists of providing “a biblical definition” of what pride and humility are, discussing “how pride and humility display themselves” and explaining “how true humility can be developed and destructive pride can be diminished in our lives” (p. 14). As one can see from the analysis of his individual chapters, Mack has admirably achieved his purpose.
To say that the strengths of Mack’s book are legion would be an understatement. Perhaps the most impressive strength is Mack’s accurate assessment of man’s utter depravity, God’s sovereign and gracious character, and the impact these foundational truths have on any discussion relating to humility. Another strength is found in the overall practical nature of Mack’s work. Instead of technical analysis, you will find Bible soaked wisdom gleaned from nearly 40 years in the ministry. As if Mack’s godly counsel were not enough, peppered throughout this book are numerous quotes by men like C.H. Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Bridges. As the reader concludes each chapter, yet another strength becomes clearly visible. Mack had included study questions which encourage both review and reflection. This very useful feature helps to make this book an excellent choice for those seeking to do a discipleship class on humility in the local church. In fact, Mack acknowledges earlier on that the material for the book originated in a class taught at Grace Fellowship Church (p.15).
Before concluding a discussion of the strengths of this book, a few words must be said about the brilliant forward written by Joel Beeke. Aside from being a great introduction to and commendation for Mack’s work, the forward is an enormously rich goldmine of Puritan comment on pride and humility. Typically, forewords serve as appetizers for more fulfilling meals to follow. Beeke’s forward, however, is a feast all by itself. Whether it’s Richard Mayo, George Swinnock, Thomas Shepard or Cotton Mather, Beeke lets these spiritual giants speak and what they have to say is, in the opinion of this reviewer, worth the price of the book.
Despite being a commendable book in so many ways, there are a couple of desirable corrections worth noting. In a few places the reader will notice some minor grammatical mistakes. On page 15 Mack states that Joel Beeke is a “seminar professor.” This should in fact read “seminary professor.” Then on page 38 references to the Lord in a quotation from Jeremiah 17 are capitalized so they appear as “LORD.” However, the final reference appears as “LoRD.” A third grammatical mistake appears on page 157. His fourteenth point on decreasing pride and increasing humility should be italicized like the previous 13 points.
Wayne Mack’s Humility: The Forgotten Virtue proves that truly Christian literature both admonishes and encourages God’s people. He takes his readers on a journey through scripture that is painful at times, encouraging at others, but always faithfully honest. All of this is done in the hopes that the natural man’s heart is shown to produce only pride never humility; and that when humility is displayed it is solely because of the grace of God. In an age when fluff, which is not worth the paper it is printed on, is scoffed up by Christians in mass quantities, Mack’s faithful message is wonderfully refreshing. May God grant His people the ability to not only hear but also heed this timeless message.