A review essay of two books on biblical humility by Michelle Vondey.

Two books: both on humility, both using the Bible as a framework, both of interest to those who study humility academically and who take the need for humility seriously in their vocation. Though similar in topic, the books differ in intended audience and style. This review evaluates both Farley’s (2011) and Feldmeier’s (2014) work on humility.

Farley’s work [William P. Farley, Gospel-Powered Humility (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2011), 199 pages, ISBN 9781596382404] is aimed at those working in Christian ministry, in particular preachers, but also anyone wanting to share the gospel with others. Farley asserts in the preface that God designed the gospel to promote humility, and the gospel should be preached with the goal of humbling sinners. It is not just sinners who need humbling, however, but believers themselves must also allow the gospel to humble them before they can expect or hope to bear spiritual fruit. He argues that humility is the chief virtue, out of which all other virtues flow. Using church history and the first three chapters of Romans, Farley shows how humility is a necessary condition for sinners to come to repentance and for the gospel to bear fruit in people’s lives. The last chapters of the book apply Farley’s thesis to ministry specifically, and discusses why ministry workers fail to preach God’s wrath and judgment for sin and how they should model humility in their own lives in order to cultivate humility in others.

William Farley

C. Peter Wagner, Humility (Regal Books, 2002), 130 pages.

Peter Wagner has written a short and easy-to-read book on the subject of humility. The book has eight short chapters, each of which is followed by a series of questions and some blanks for the reader to express her thoughts to herself. This format would be useful as a personal devotional or in a group study setting.

Peter starts his book by noting that he could find little written on this subject and the scripture that says “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Mat 23:12 (NIV). Indeed Peter ended up with a very short bibliography which essentially consists of just one book written by Andrew Murray more than 100 years ago.

Peter takes a look at his subject from a variety of perspectives. Then he proceeds to discuss the subject in his eight chapters by covering the value of humility, its two dimensions, the definition of humility, and your need to choose the course you will take. He outlines five signposts on the way to pride and ten signposts on the way to humility. He concludes with a discussion on the stable foundation humility provides, even when we face adversity. He closes by encouraging us to live as scripture urges: be humble before God.

C. Peter Wagner

Peter believes that we are all challenged daily to be humble. I found his thoughts provoking and worth looking at, particularly since he uses himself as the person who may or may not have victory in the area under discussion. My daily efforts at being humble are far less difficult than those that face Peter since no one has heard of me nor do I have any position or reputation to defend. Indeed I am constantly interfacing with people and situations that keep my feet on the ground, and my head and heart guarded. It is hard to hold you head high when by doing so it becomes a better target.

Nonetheless I would like the Lord to exalt me and at the same time to increase my spiritual effectiveness and my income. I imagine that desire applies to most of you reading this review.

Peter’s 61^st book is easy to read, it will challenge you to examine yourself and to examine Peter Wagner and his idea of his humility, which I found fascinating. I will not comment on what I think of Peter’s success or lack thereof at being humble beyond noting that he is exalted far beyond most of us.

Reviewed by H. Murray Hohns

Preview Humility: http://books.google.com/books/about/Humility.html?id=TLM_R0wvHFIC