To Live Well
In To Live Well, Alan Noble offers practical wisdom for navigating chaotic times. This is an outstanding book about our loss of coherence in the Christian life and what we can do about it.
We deny our telos—the creational design that gives our lives direction and purpose. Noble encourages readers to cultivate virtues, habits that align us with who God created us to be: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and love.
Choose Decisively, Act Justly
In many ways, this is a book about the Christian worldview, and Noble defines his terms through a biblical lens. Christ is the model, while Thomas Aquinas and Josef Pieper serve as guides as he explores these truths.
Noble’s career—indeed, his calling—as a college professor is evident as he begins by emphasizing the need to choose decisively and act justly. He speaks directly to a generation navigating careers and marriages, especially at a time when questions of justice dominate the headlines.
Being a Magnanimous Christian
I was particularly moved by his discussion of steadfast suffering, especially as it relates to being a magnanimous Christian. Noble connects ambition with our union with Christ and makes a compelling case for having the courage to embody who God created us to be.
Equally compelling is his treatment of moderation and temperance, illustrated through how Jesus handled fame. Temperance is more than moderation; it is the right ordering of our lives according to the good as defined by God.
Grace Pieces Us Back Together
Noble offers practical principles for temperance in the modern world: choosing not to do everything we are capable of doing, and embracing renunciation as an act of affirmation rather than resignation. These insights apply to areas such as smartphones, social media, and chastity.
The book concludes beautifully with an examination of faith, hope, and love. I was especially challenged to consider love in terms of attention, friendship, and devotion to God. Noble reminds us that grace is essential in the pursuit of these virtues—and that grace is given as God pieces back our lives for His glory.
I received a media copy of To Live Well (Amazon) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.