A Book Churches Need to Read and Heed (Book Review)

Hutchinson, Christopher A. Rediscovering Humility: Why the Way Up is Down. New Growth Press, Greensboro, NC. 2018. 240 pages.

“The one thing I take pride in is my humility.” I have used this statement before, tongue-in-cheek, to ensue laughter from the people around me. Yet, I know such a statement reveals more of my heart than I care to admit. I can put up a humble persona when I am honestly a prideful person. One of the places where I see this reality exposed in my heart is in the church. That is because community is where either humility grows or pride is displayed. For those called to proclaim the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, the church is the last place pride should reign. Following the example of the suffering Savior, the church should be the place where the display of humility is a witness to a world taken by pride. The picture of this humility is found in Christopher A. Hutchinson’s new book Rediscovering Humility: Why the Way Up is Down.

Humility for the Church

Throughout the book’s four sections, Hutchinson defines the concept of humility by laying out gospel motivations for humility, finding, embracing, and applying that humility into the life of the church. While the majority of Christian books written on humility focus on the individual, Rediscovering Humility tackles humility in the church as a whole. Hutchinson chooses this as his focus because he believes, “Humility has lost a central place in today’s church” (Hutchinson 4). Looking at the culture and inside the church, Hutchinson’s assessment seems on point. That said, while his diagnosis is correct, some will not be convinced or may take issue with some of the symptoms he lays out of this problem (some of these symptoms of the problem as Hutchinson sees it are found in chapter 1). Still, that is what makes this book on humility bold.

Bold and Biblical

The bold convictions and corrections found throughout the book are coupled with biblical truths how the gospel calls for humility in the life of the church. The appendix itself lists out 100 verses that pertain to living with humility. Each chapter ends with a prayer, sometimes by the way of a quote or of a formal prayer. The book’s aim is to rediscover the definition and importance of humility for the church and to apply the virtue of humility into the life of the church. Rediscovering Humility is a book that needs to be read church-wide. If you desire for your church to be characterized by a humility motivated by the gospel, then pick up Rediscovering Humility by Christopher A. Hutchinson and let his biblical convictions and corrections be your prayer and practice.

I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.