R.D. Norman, Gentleness: The Way of Life (Douglasville, GA: G3 Press, 2025), 118.
The apostle Paul admonished the Galatian church, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Gal. 5:26). The stain of sin wreaked havoc on the first-century church. The march of sin continues to this day. Tragically, pride and hubris mark our times.
R. D. Norman’s book, Gentleness: The Way of Life, is a needed corrective in a world that has forgotten the importance of godly behavior and speech. The author makes his case by pointing first to the Trinity and the way he manifests gentleness to his creatures. The author draws the reader’s attention to a God who is sovereign, just, and holy. This God is also greatly glorified by being gentle.
Part two builds on the theological framework of God’s gentleness by urging Christians to learn to follow in his stead. The point is clear: we all need to grow in this area. Norman encourages Christians to be soft-spoken and slow to speak. He urges Christians to speak graciously to opponents. He writes, “You and I are instruments to show other people the gentle grace of God.”
Christians are called to imitate God by being gentle in thought, word, and deed. Gentleness is a step in the right direction and a much-needed corrective in the church.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Thank you! :)