Book Review: The Lost Virtue of Happiness by Moreland and Issler

Title: The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life
Authors: J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler
Publisher: NavPress, Colorado Springs
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 219
ISBN: 1-57683-648-7
Genre: Non-fiction/Christian living

In The Lost Virtue of Happiness, Moreland and Issler begin their discussion of the spiritual disciplines by redefining happiness. They recognize that the modern understanding of happiness implies a pleasurable emotional high that proceeds from good circumstances. Moreland and Issler, however, define happiness in the "classical" sense: "a life of virtue and character" (25).

This kind of life proceeds from denying ourselves and taking up our crosses, as Jesus taught. Moreland and Issler wisely point out that self-denial doesn't necessarily mean living without earthly possessions or pleasure. It does mean replacing the urge to put ourselves at the center of our days with the commitment to discovering and playing the role God has planned for us in His kingdom (30).

The Core Philosophy of The Lost Virtue of Happiness

From this basis, they discuss their philosophy on spiritual formation-growing a heart, mind, and will devoted to God and His purposes. They explain how dealing with our emotions is a critical step in forming a heart that is tender and receptive toward God. They explain how ongoing prayer and thoughtful reading play an important role in forming a mind stayed on God. Then they discuss forming a trusting will to take risks for God's sake.

Other Key Matters

The remaining three chapters discuss God's hiddenness, our struggle with anxiety and depression, and the importance of spiritual friendships.

The Lost Virtue of Happiness offers a mix of theory and practical advice. If you're looking for an exhaustive manual for practicing spiritual disciplines, this isn't it. Moreland and Issler do offer suggestions for developing some practices, such as silence and solitude, ongoing prayer, careful reading, and conflict resolution. But they explain that there isn't one right way to engage in the disciplines. The Bible itself devotes very little space to discussing the spiritual disciplines, and when Jesus did instruct on the disciplines, He more often talked about the attitude behind the practice instead of the steps of the practice.

The chapter that discusses God's hiddenness is a vital addition to the arena of spiritual disciplines. Moreland and Issler explain why God hides Himself. They also touch on removing things that hinder us from seeing God and developing a greater awareness of Him in our daily lives.

What they have said makes sense to me. I experienced several months of hard times. Things kept getting worse, and God seemed so far away from me, when I felt I needed Him the most. I searched my life, and I could not see any sin I was denying. But as I began to realign my focus from the big questions of my future to what God wanted me to do that day, things began to change. God was on my mind all day. I asked Jesus to guide me as I worked, as I interacted with my husband, even as I drove. When something else went wrong, my first response was to pray.

And somewhere in the midst of that, I began to see God everywhere. I marveled at the answers to prayer, at the way He spoke to me, at the peace that covered me. Later, my circumstances improved, but this experience of God happened right in the midst of the bleak circumstances. So when Moreland and Issler talk about the disciplines and how they impact God's hiddenness, I can identify with their philosophy.

A Summary of Moreland and Issler's Message

If you've never given much thought to the spiritual disciplines, I think The Lost Virtue of Happiness is a good place to start. Moreland and Issler will give you some ideas to jumpstart your experience. Essentially, the message of Moreland and Issler in The Lost Virtue of Happiness boils down to this: "If you take up this challenge-a dedication to humble self-giving in the manner of Christ, the practice of God's presence (whether through the Jesus Prayer, the pause button, or another method), the conscious intention of putting others first (especially those closest to you), the aim to embrace God's hiddenness and to trust in Him openly (even through anxiety and depression), the purpose of inviting one or more close friends into your life-we believe you will notice dramatic changes in yourself . . ." (207-208).

If their message resonates with you, I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Lost Virtue of Happiness. Soak in the encouragement to actively pursue a closer relationship with God. Gain wisdom from the experience of these teachers. Start practicing to develop the skills that will have eternal impact.