Enthusiastically, Dawn

I am bringing you a book review today on the theme of beauty. Beauty is a topic I have identified as one with which I am completely enamored.

The subject of beauty is one that I have been pondering in an ever deeper way since youth. That could be a whole other blog post, and I don’t want to wander far from the path of this book today, because I assure you it is a short but thoroughly packed with theology and biblical truth.

Beauty is Your Destiny – How the Promise of Splendor Changes Everything is written by Philip Ryken who based it on a series of messages he gave to college students in the Fall of 2021. It’s one of those blessings that came out of that time period of drawing away and slowing down during the pandemic (very small ‘p’).

Ryken, a Presbyterian Minister who serves as the current academic administrator at Wheaton College, is no stranger to deep theology, obviously. But this book is both accessible and digestible. More importantly it’s not so bad on the palate either! OK. Let’s unwrap what makes this book worth your time and attention.

First of all the author’s stated purpose- I’m paraphrasing here- is to help readers increase their awareness of beauty and its place in God’s vision for their lives. Also to inspire within a greater capacity for it (beauty) so their lives are full of God’s joy, hope, and justice as they fulfill them. His desire is to point students and others back to God’s beauty in all its dimensions. He recognizes that evangelicals have not always been great in this area, stating, “Appreciating beauty – in all its splendid forms- can and should be an avenue for worship and a call to faithful Christian discipleship. Focusing on beauty also affords us an opportunity to consider a wide range of practical doctrines in fresh perspective.”

If we explore the topic of beauty, it must surely follow that ugliness, or what is ugly, would be addressed. We have the beauty of Creation, and the ugliness of the Fall. Ryken continues, “Some people write about what they know; I tend to write about what I want to know better.” He had me right there. I was ready to devour this book with this statement alone. The teacher appears when the student is ready!

The nine chapters cover beauty in relation to the following subjects: eternity, the Trinity, the earth, Creation, God’s Image, purity, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, Christ’s Bride, and lastly, generous living. There are both a general index and a scriptural index in the back. This book is at once enjoyable, and at times challenging in the best way. Like signing up for a class you are not sure you will like but then the Professor is so good, you find yourself all eyes and ears, going places you never knew before and excited about the ride.

Rich in scriptural references and powerful in the economically written chapters, there is a lot of theology covered in the 165 pages. Extensive in references to further dive into the topic if you are one who loves to check citations and all that. If so, my inner-nerd rejoices with yours!

I really appreciated the chapters focused on the incarnation of Christ and The Bride of Christ. However the focus between the two was The Old, Ugly Cross, appropriately. Ryken says, “…the beauty of the cross is not physical or visual but spiritual and eschatological. The crucifixion is beautiful because of what it means for our redemption and the eternal healing of every wound in our our sin-wrecked souls.”

This is a book to read and meditate alongside of more than once.

I am thrilled to be reviewing for Crossway – especially since I so often appreciate (and regularly peruse and choose to buy) so many of their books. I did receive this book in return for an honest review. I highly recommend the Podcasts as well as the Articles.

Leave your questions or comments below!

Have a beautiful day-

Enthusiastically, Dawn