Pure Pleasure: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad about Feeling Good?
Written by Gary Thomas
Narrated by Gary L. Thomas and Gary Thomas
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Gary Thomas, one of this generation's most trusted writers about the spiritual life, explores what it means to build a life of true pleasure - one that will liberate your spiritual life, marriage, family, community, and outreach.
Many Christians assume "pleasure" and "sin" are synonymous. Others define godly pleasure so narrowly that they drastically minimize the powerful and holy role that pleasure can play in their lives. Still others feel guilty even thinking about how to build a life of pleasure.
For all of them, Pure Pleasure provides an entirely new paradigm. It invites Christians to embrace a life of true pleasure as a pathway to obedience, worship, and service. Building on his bestselling books Sacred Pathways, Sacred Marriage, and the ECPA Gold Medallion-winning Authentic Faith, Gary Thomas takes readers to a new level of faith by providing a theological and inspirational framework to help them cultivate the kind of life that pleases God.
Abounding with spiritual insights and practical exercises, this book invites you to shake off the shackles of misunderstanding about sin, provides the freedom to approach life in Christ with new wonder and joy, and challenges you to experience life as God meant it to be: overflowing with pleasure.
Also available: Pure Pleasure small group video study and study guide, Spanish edition, and more.
Gary Thomas
Gary Thomas's writing and speaking draw people closer to Christ and closer to others. He is the author of twenty books that together have sold more than two million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. These books include Sacred Marriage, Cherish, Married Sex, and the Gold Medallion-award winning Authentic Faith. Gary holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Western Washington University, a master's degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR). He serves as a teaching pastor at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
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Reviews for Pure Pleasure
28 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A topic I've really struggled with and this is the first time I've heard it addressed so throughouly. Really enjoyed this author and am very encouraged by this book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I loved the book. There are just maybe some repetitive concepts which might have taken less chapters, but it's a blessing anyway.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The premise of this book is that Christians often feel guilty about taking pleasure in life. I wasn't too sure that I agreed; I was frankly surprised at his suggestion coming from a fairly materialistic culture. But he makes some good points. We can spend so much time trying to avoid doing wrong that we forget to take pleasure in what is good - in the abundance of what God has created. He suggests that sometimes we fall into temptation because of boredom, or because something is wrong in our lives which may often be solved by relaxation, intimacy or a good hobby.
There are chapters focussing on different themes within the overall idea of Christians taking pleasure in their lives. Chapman points out that Jesus enjoyed many good things - he was accused of being a glutton and drunkard by his enemies, which suggests that he loved to relax over a good meal and a glass of wine. He asks the reader to consider what they enjoy, and to make time to do whatever it is - we are not created for continual work or suffering.
A balance is needed, of course, and we're also warned about too much pleasure, about the dangers of materialism, and about apparently 'safe' pleasures that can lead us into serious problems.
I don't know that I found this life-changing, but it was reassuring and encouraging in a low-key kind of way, and very readable. Recommended. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5While I didn't necessarily agree with everything in this book (I'm sure due to my legalistic upbringing), this was a good reminder of just how important it is to allow joy into our lives, our churches, and our relationship with Jesus.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very good book about a precious gift given by God but often mis-trusted by Christians. If you've been guilty of being suspicious of anything that feels good, you need to read this book. Would be great in combination with Worldliness by C J Mahaney.