Courage E-Book

Joe Rigney

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Growing Gospel Integrity
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Exploring Courage in Light of the Gospel  Throughout Scripture, important biblical figures have faced numerous adversities with remarkable courage. In the New Testament, the apostles endured persecution, imprisonment, and even death for spreading the good news of the gospel. Yet, amid their struggle, they continued to expand the kingdom of God—even rejoicing as they suffered for Christ. How can believers exhibit this same courage today?  In Courage, author Joe Rigney explores the Christian virtue of fortitude and its connection to the gospel. From a theological perspective, Rigney argues that courage—used in the proper context—is a sign of God's salvation and a believer's faith in Christ. In this concise and practical book, readers will defeat feelings of anxiety, anger, and fear as they gain boldness from God to endure all of life's circumstances.  - Explores Christian Fortitude: How the gospel shapes this important Christian virtue    - Practical Study: This concise guide encourages Christians to build up their boldness through Christ  - A Part of the Growing Gospel Integrity Series: Created in partnership with Union School of Theology - Written by Joe Rigney: Author of The Things of Earth; Strangely Bright; and More Than a Battle: How to Experience Victory, Freedom, and Healing from Lust.

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“Joe Rigney’s Courage is a bellwether, defining and defending a virtue that every Christian will need in abundance in our anti-Christian age. Rigney’s book is a gem and a must-read. It is surely a book that I will be rereading often.”

Rosaria Butterfield, Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

“In a world paralyzed by fear yet attracted to displays of conviction, boldness, and fearless action, there is an opportunity for the joyful virtue of Christian courage to shine. In Courage, Joe Rigney not only provides an explanation of courage and where it derives from but also issues a call to courage for the glory of God. It’s fantastic. I pray God uses this little book to stir big things in the hearts of many.”

Erik Reed, Pastor and Elder, The Journey Church, Lebanon, Tennessee; Founder, Knowing Jesus Ministries

“Take heart, Christian! As Christians in the West watch their societies increasingly turn against their Christian roots, this call is particularly relevant. Compromise and cowardice are contagious—but so is courage. With clear definitions, introductory forays into classical virtue theory, and inspiring examples drawn from Scripture, Narnia, and elsewhere, Rigney seeks to foster virtue for faithful witness to Christ. I am confident this book will do just that for many readers.”

James R. Wood, Assistant Professor of Ministry, Redeemer University

“The apostle John tells us that the coward’s portion is in the lake that burns with fire. That means that courage is not some optional virtue for a select set of Christians. All of us need godly courage to unflinchingly face the unique challenges and battles of our time. Joe Rigney helpfully shows us what courage looks like—in men, in women, in stories, and in our Savior—so that we can gain the stability of soul necessary to be courageous in every trying time.”

Abigail Dodds, author, Bread of Life and (A)Typical Woman

“Joe Rigney has quickly become one of the pastoral voices I trust most for discernment and wisdom when thinking through any topic. His treatise on courage—which explains that bravery is a habit we learn by rightly ordering our fears and setting our minds on God’s promises—demonstrates why. In a culture where arrogance is so often mistaken for boldness and recklessness for strength, Rigney offers practical advice on how to draw true courage from biblical wisdom. In his encouragement to preach about unpopular sins and his counsel on developing courage appropriate to one’s sex, he demonstrates how much he himself possesses the virtue he is writing about.”

Megan Basham, Culture Reporter, The Daily Wire; author, Beside Every Successful Man

Courage

Growing Gospel Integrity

Michael Reeves, series editor

Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel, Sinclair B. Ferguson

Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude, Joe Rigney

Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness, Gavin Ortlund

Courage

How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude

Joe Rigney

Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude

Copyright © 2023 by Joe Rigney

Published by Crossway1300 Crescent StreetWheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Portions of this book build on two previously published works: (chap. 4) Joe Rigney, “Giving the Gospel in the Midst of Mayhem,” Cities Church, August 2, 2015, https://www.citieschurch.com/sermons/; and (chaps. 4–5) Rigney, “Courage for Normal Christians,” Desiring God, November 7, 2021, https://www.desiringgod.org/.

Cover design: Jordan Singer

First printing 2023

Printed in the United States of America

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-8313-1 ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-8316-2 PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-8314-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Rigney, Joe, 1982– author.

Title: Courage : how the Gospel creates Christian fortitude / Joe Rigney.

Description: Wheaton, Illinois : Crossway, 2023. | Series: Growing gospel integrity | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022049153 (print) | LCCN 2022049154 (ebook) | ISBN 9781433583131 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781433583148 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433583162 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Courage—Religious aspects. | Fortitude—Religious aspects.

Classification: LCC BJ1533.C8 R54 2023 (print) | LCC BJ1533.C8 (ebook) | DDC 241/.4—dc23/eng/20230223

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022049153

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022049154

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2023-07-19 09:53:46 AM

Contents

Series Preface

Introduction

1  Defining Courage

2  Biblical Courage

3  Failures of Courage

4  Biblical Boldness

5  Courage and the Sexes

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Bibliography

General Index

Scripture Index

Series Preface

Gospel integrity is, I suggest, the greatest and most vital need of the church today. More than moral behavior and orthodox beliefs, this integrity that we need is a complete alignment of our heads, our hearts, and our lives with the truths of the gospel.

In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul issues a call to his readers to live as people of the gospel. Spelling out what this means, Paul sets out four marks of gospel integrity.

First, he entreats, “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27a). The people of the gospel should live lives worthy of the gospel.

Second, this means “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (1:27b). In other words, integrity to the gospel requires a united stand of faithfulness together.

Third, knowing that such a stand will mean suffering and conflict (1:29–30), Paul calls the Philippians not to be “frightened in anything” (1:28a). He describes this courage as “a clear sign” of our salvation (1:28b).

Fourth, Paul writes:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (2:1–3)

Paul thus makes it clear that there is no true Christian integrity without humility.

The simple aim of this series is to reissue Paul’s gospel-based call to an integrity that means living worthily, unitedly, courageously, and humbly. We need to recognize, however, that these four marks are not abstract moral qualities or virtues. What Paul has in mind are, quite specifically, marks and manifestations of integrity to the gospel. As such, the books in this series will unpack how the gospel fuels and shapes those qualities in us.

Through this little series, may God be glorified, and may “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (4:23).

Michael Reeves

Series Editor

Introduction

A teenager is mocked and rejected by his classmates because he holds to biblical teaching on sexuality and biblical standards of morality.

A husband and father wrestles with whether to continue in his present job or take the risk of starting his own company.

A wife faces another day with a harsh and emotionally distant husband.

A mother is diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer while pregnant with her third child.

A Christian employee faces pressure in his office to fly a rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ+ initiatives.

A pastor prepares a biblical sermon on a topic he knows will displease some in his congregation.

A missionary prepares to take his family to an unreached and unengaged people group that has historically been hostile to the gospel.

A new convert must decide how to tell his Muslim family that he has embraced Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Treasure.

Each of these situations is different, and yet each of them requires the same thing—courage. This is a little book about courage. My aim in writing it is not merely to describe a virtue but to foster it. And not just any kind of courage, but Christian courage. My aim is that in reading this book, your heart would be strengthened by grace to overcome your fears and face the dangers before you with gladness and joy.

The connection between courage and joy may not be obvious to you. But the Bible unmistakably links them. So let us begin by establishing this basic link between courage and joy by considering Philippians 1 and three key concepts that appear there: boldness, courage, and fearlessness.

The Setting

Paul opens his letter with a profound expression of gratitude and joy for the Philippians. This church has partnered with Paul in the gospel from the very beginning (1:5). This shared mission and fellowship gives Paul great confidence that the Philippians will persevere to the end because God will finish his work in and among them (1:6). Paul’s confidence is grounded in his deep affection for these saints: he holds them in his heart, he partakes with them of grace, and he yearns for them with Christ’s own affection. His affection for them expresses itself in rich prayers—that God would multiply their love and knowledge, that they would love what is good and excellent, and that, in so doing, they would be found pure and blameless at the coming of Christ.

Following this greeting—which is distinguished by the total absence of correction or expression of concern—Paul then seeks to update the Philippians on his own situation. More importantly, he seeks to rightly frame his own imprisonment and sufferings for the Philippians so that they can wholeheartedly join him in the gospel mission. This is where our key words come into play.

Emboldened by Imprisonment

Paul begins by informing the Philippians that his imprisonment has surprisingly served to advance the gospel. This is deeply counterintuitive. We would naturally assume that imprisoning Paul would be a setback. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. And the word of Christ is heralded by apostles and missionaries like Paul. So how can imprisoning the missionary advance the mission? Paul gives two reasons.

First, everyone involved in the situation knows that Paul has been imprisoned for Christ. He has borne witness to Jesus, even in his imprisonment, so that his jailers are clear about why he is in prison. As Paul says elsewhere, while he may be bound in chains, “the word of God is not bound!” (2 Tim. 2:9). The word of Christ is being sown, and perhaps even taking root, among the imperial guard. And this, of course, makes sense to us. Paul has simply found a new mission field, so that even his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel.

But then Paul gives a second reason, and we are again faced with a counterintuitive reality. “Most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Phil. 1:14). The brothers have been emboldened by Paul’s imprisonment? This again puzzles us.

We might naturally assume that the imprisonment of the lead apostle would depress preaching—that the other brothers would grow quiet and muted because Paul is in jail. This is, no doubt, what the authorities intended. Make an example of Paul. Show the other Christians what happens when you stir up trouble with this so-called gospel. And yet, far from shrinking back into silence, the other brothers have been emboldened to speak. They are taking more risks, daring to teach what might land them in prison along with Paul. How is this possible?

At this point, Paul merely notes that their bold and fearless preaching comes from their (increasing) confidence in the Lord. Something about Paul’s imprisonment has deepened their faith and reliance on Christ. Paul, of course, knows that not all of the newly emboldened preachers do so from right motives. Some are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry. They chafe under Paul’s fruitfulness and want to see him taken down a peg. They hope that their preaching will harm Paul, that his afflictions will increase because of their ministries (Phil. 1:1–17). (How much do you have to hate someone in order to preach the gospel with the aim of harming him?)

But others—that is, those who are speaking the word from their confidence in the Lord—are preaching “from good will” (1:15). They preach out of love—for Paul, for the saints, for the lost, and for Christ. They see Paul’s imprisonment as a divine appointment; they know he’s there for the defense of the gospel, commending the good news about Jesus to the imperial guard, the Roman authorities, and all who would hear of it.

Paul is not concerned about motives; he simply rejoices that Christ is proclaimed. Whether in pretense or in truth, whether from envy or good will, whether out of rivalry or out of love, Paul wants to see the gospel advance. And he sees that advance happening through his own ministry in the prison, through the bold preaching of faithful brothers, and even through the insincere preaching of envious brothers. Paul rejoices whenever and however Christ is truly proclaimed. Full stop.

Honoring Christ in Life and Death

But this is not all that Paul rejoices in. He also rejoices in his coming deliverance. This deliverance, he is sure, will occur through the prayers of the Philippians and the help and support of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it’s likely that Paul expects the Holy Spirit to uphold him in his imprisonment and affliction as an answer to the prayers of the Philippians. Notice how Paul describes deliverance: “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20). The deliverance Paul expects and hopes for is not merely salvation from physical danger. It may include such temporal salvation. But the deliverance he anticipates through the prayers of the Philippians is ultimately the perpetual honoring of Christ in his body, come what may.

Or we could put it the other way around. What would it mean for Paul to not be delivered? For Paul, to dishonor Christ in life or death would bring shame upon himself, and he would not be delivered.

This is a gut check for all of us. Paul sees imprisonment and the possibility of death as a threat, as a danger. But it is not a threat merely because he might die. It is a threat because the prospect of pain, suffering, and death might lead Paul to dishonor Jesus in his speech and actions, in his living and his dying. Is that how we see our afflictions and suffering? Are we mainly concerned that the suffering end? Or, like Paul, are we mainly concerned that we magnify the worth of Jesus in the midst of our suffering?

We must press deeper into Paul’s frame of mind here. What does he mean that “Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death”? Consider the next verse: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21). The word “for” signals that Paul is explaining how he hopes to honor Christ by life or death. And sure enough, he immediately talks about living and dying. If we connect the two verses, we can draw these conclusions:

Christ is honored in Paul’s life when Paul’s living is Christ.Christ is honored in Paul’s death when Paul’s dying is gain.

Now what does each of these mean? What does it mean to say, “to live is Christ”? How is it possible for death to be gain? The passage continues:

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus