Murray’s little book has been a precious one to me that I’ve read several times and again just this past Lent. I’m glad you’ve found it. Recently, Anthony Esolen in an article in “Touchstone” said this about this virtue (for which he says “hardly anyone prays”) in regards to the disciples arguing over who would be the greatest, “humility, a virtue which seems to shrivel up in us like a spider as soon as we begin to notice it.” Ain’t that the truth! A point Esolen goes on to make is that we should look to the children (Matt 18:3-4) for additional guidance on the topic.
The subject of humility has been front and center on the minds of my wife and I. I don't think it is a coincidence that you are now starting a new book on the subject.
I think I understand what it means to be humble before God based on your series on the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. We come to God fully empty and submitted to His authority. We know there is nothing we can do to earn His favor or pay for our own sins. We come as beggars to Him with our hands stretched out.
But how do we appropriately practice humility to other people? We should not think too highly of ourselves. We should be aware of our own ability to be wrong. But what is the correct attitude to have about people who are foolish, wrong, or immoral? We are to judge correctly. We are to speak truth boldly. So how do we toe the line of doing these other things while still being humble? That is what I wrestle with. I know I have been too proud when comparing myself to others. So I know I am over the line. But I am trying to figure out where that line is drawn so that I move that way.
RMB, you are right, no coincidence. I am certain that without having done the work I have done on the Sermon on the Mount, especially the Beatitudes, I am not sure I would have been prepared for this. It is a topic that has been on my mind for a few months now, and in addition to finishing the work through this book, I will likely pick up another (including submission).
How to practice...I know Jesus did it - but He is so full of these paradoxes for which we seem to have no human answer as to how we can practice. For now, my sense is...really stay focused on the humility, pray for God's help in this. For some reason, I believe that as I grow in this foundational virtue, I will then grow in my understanding of when and how to deal with the complications you rightly raise. But I will be doing so not for the sake of my "self," but for God and truth.
Murray’s little book has been a precious one to me that I’ve read several times and again just this past Lent. I’m glad you’ve found it. Recently, Anthony Esolen in an article in “Touchstone” said this about this virtue (for which he says “hardly anyone prays”) in regards to the disciples arguing over who would be the greatest, “humility, a virtue which seems to shrivel up in us like a spider as soon as we begin to notice it.” Ain’t that the truth! A point Esolen goes on to make is that we should look to the children (Matt 18:3-4) for additional guidance on the topic.
The subject of humility has been front and center on the minds of my wife and I. I don't think it is a coincidence that you are now starting a new book on the subject.
I think I understand what it means to be humble before God based on your series on the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. We come to God fully empty and submitted to His authority. We know there is nothing we can do to earn His favor or pay for our own sins. We come as beggars to Him with our hands stretched out.
But how do we appropriately practice humility to other people? We should not think too highly of ourselves. We should be aware of our own ability to be wrong. But what is the correct attitude to have about people who are foolish, wrong, or immoral? We are to judge correctly. We are to speak truth boldly. So how do we toe the line of doing these other things while still being humble? That is what I wrestle with. I know I have been too proud when comparing myself to others. So I know I am over the line. But I am trying to figure out where that line is drawn so that I move that way.
https://thecrosssectionrmb.blogspot.com/
RMB, you are right, no coincidence. I am certain that without having done the work I have done on the Sermon on the Mount, especially the Beatitudes, I am not sure I would have been prepared for this. It is a topic that has been on my mind for a few months now, and in addition to finishing the work through this book, I will likely pick up another (including submission).
How to practice...I know Jesus did it - but He is so full of these paradoxes for which we seem to have no human answer as to how we can practice. For now, my sense is...really stay focused on the humility, pray for God's help in this. For some reason, I believe that as I grow in this foundational virtue, I will then grow in my understanding of when and how to deal with the complications you rightly raise. But I will be doing so not for the sake of my "self," but for God and truth.