The Beautiful Fight Surrendering to the Transforming Presence of God Every Day of Your Life (Paperback © 2007 Gary L. Thomas) NEW BOOK - Order Now Catalog # CES009 List Price: $18.99 Our Price: $14.99 READER COMMENTS

Gary Thomas issues a passionate manifesto of faith fully alive. The Beautiful Fight calls us beyond mere sin-avoidance to a robust holiness that radiates Christ through every aspect of our being. To see with Christ’s eyes, feel with Christ’s heart, and serve with Christ’s hands—this is what Christianity is truly about.

Read what the Baptist Standard had to say about TheBeautiful Fight.

Book Review by Dr. Jay Smith, Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas

Many of us became fans of Gary Thomas’s writing with the pragmatic “Sacred” series, for example, Sacred Parenting and Sacred Marriage. Nevertheless, with The Beautiful Fight the reader gets a taste of his true passion: the human struggle with what it means to be a Christ follower. Taking his cues from an orthodox reading of 2 Timothy 4:7, The Beautiful Fight is about transformation.

In this lucidly written book, Thomas makes the point that many have missed: transformation for God’s glory is the point of the gospel. Indeed, Thomas states that in “real transformation and sacrificial service, our souls have everything they need to feel alive.” In the opening chapter, Thomas asks this penetrating question: “Is the Christianity taught today large enough to seize our hearts?” Drawing upon his deep understanding of scripture and his encyclopedic knowledge of Christian spirituality, Thomas crafts a riveting book that paints a picture of Christianity precisely able to seize our hearts and transform our lives. In classic Thomas style, The Beautiful Fight is filled with personal anecdotes, penetrating questions and summaries for reflection. This is an outstanding selection for personal or small group study.

Description:
In a groundbreaking book that rethinks spiritual formation, Gary Thomas argues that the contemporary church is in danger of accepting Christianity as a historical reality but not as a present power. Is the grace that pardons powerful enough to transform? Answering with a resounding yes, Thomas presents a compelling picture of what it means to be a “God oasis” in a God-forgetting world.

“The first chapter alone is worth reading many times.

This is beauty and struggle.

This is the death that leads to life.” John Ortberg, Pastor and Author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

“Set this book down … slowly … turn around … and run away … unless you hunger for a deeper vision of faith and thirst for genuine life transformation … if you do, read on.” Kevin Harney, Pastor and Author

“Once again, Gary Thomas challenges me to live passionately for God and to apply his transforming power to my daily decisions.” Kay Warren, Executive Director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback Church

The Beautiful Fight will energize your life and your church. It will inspire you, equip you, and challenge you to delve ever deeper into what it means to be a truly holy believer, transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Discover just how radical Christian transformation can be, as you learn to see with new eyes, think with a new mind, and feel with a new heart. Thomas rallies you to the Beautiful Fight—the struggle to fully express the wonder and life-changing power of Christ in this world through every aspect of who you are.

The Center For Evangelical Spirituality

The Center for Evangelical Spirituality (CFES) is a ministry dedicated to fostering spiritual growth within the Christian community through an integrated study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics. We believe evangelical Christians can learn a great deal from historic Christian traditions without compromising the essential tenets of what it means to be an evangelical Christian. Accepting Scripture as our final and absolute authority, we seek to promote Christian growth and the refinement of an authentic evangelical Christian spirituality. This mission is fulfilled through three avenues:

PUBLISHING

Gary Thomas has written numerous books addressing Christian growth and the spiritual life; these books have been translated into 11 languages. He has also written well over 100 articles, many of them cover stories, for magazines such as Christianity Today, Discipleship Journal, Moody, New Man, Charisma, World, Marriage Partnership, and others.

SEMINARS

Gary speaks at approximately 50 churches, denominational meetings, and ministry gatherings every year, teaching at seminars designed to equip Christians to grow in their faith. These seminars vary from one-evening sessions to a weeklong or weekend format, and address the essential elements of Christian spirituality from an evangelical perspective.