This innocuous-looking volume has proved to be one of the most talked-about Christian books since its publication twelve months ago. Almost universally acclaimed1, out of over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, the average rating is 5-out-of-5 – one of the highest for any Christian book I have ever seen. It has won ‘Book of the Year’ from numerous Christian societies, while former leader of Soul Survivor, Mike Pilavachi went as far as calling it the “best book I have ever read”. In consequence of such acclaim, many see ‘Gentle and Lowly’ as destined to become a classic in Christian literature.
The heart of the matter
Written by little-known Presbyterian pastor, Dane Ortlund (son of author Ray Ortlund), the purpose of the book is to discover, from a study of the Bible, what is the true heart of Jesus; not focusing primarily on what he has done – but on who he is. The author’s contention is that of the 89 chapters that comprise the four gospels, there’s only one place where Jesus tells us about his own heart. This is in Matthew 11:28-9:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls".
Here we are told, not that Jesus is “austere and demanding in heart”, nor “exalted and dignified in heart”; not even that he is “joyful and generous in heart”. Rather, we are told he is “gentle and lowly in heart”. Gentleness is who he is – it is his very heart.
Wisdom from the Puritans
As the book proceeds, considerable biblical evidence is offered to support the author’s case that, for those who come to him, Jesus is literally gushing in forgiveness, tenderness and compassion. A total of 23 short, devotional chapters – each one centred on a single significant verse of Scripture – serve to draw the reader deeper into the heart of Christ, which is also, of course, the heart of God. Chapter titles alone provide indication of key themes: ‘Able to sympathise’, ‘I will never cast out’, ‘To the uttermost’, ‘An advocate’, ‘His ways are not our ways’, ‘Rich in mercy’.….
Although often regarded as harsh and censorious, the Puritans in fact loved to dwell on the tenderness and compassion of Christ.
Throughout, the Bible is Ortlund’s main point of reference. But, coming from a Reformed background, he draws repeatedly on support from what might seem an unlikely source – the Puritan writers of the seventeenth century. Although often regarded as harsh and censorious, the Puritans in fact loved to dwell on the tenderness and compassion of Christ. Ortlund quotes several repeatedly: most notably his personal favourite, Thomas Goodwin.
Harsher side of Jesus
But what about the harsher side of Jesus? Ortlund does not shy away from this, showing that the wrath and mercy of Christ are not at odds with one another. On the contrary, “the more robust one’s felt understanding of the just wrath of Christ against all that is evil, both around us and within us, the more robust our felt understanding of his mercy”. In any case, the author argues, we are not pitting one attribute of Jesus against another: “his heart is his heart; we are asking who he most deeply is; what pours out of him most naturally” (p.29).
Ortlund offers the example of American Puritan preacher, Jonathan Edwards, who often focused on Christ’s heart in his sermons and writings, emphasising the beauty or loveliness of his gracious heart. Ortlund reminds us that this was the same preacher who wrote the 1741 sermon he is most famed for: ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’. Edwards, and the Puritans in general, had no difficulty setting God’s bountiful, overflowing grace alongside his “great furnace of wrath”. God’s anger requires provocation, Ortlund argues, whereas his mercy is always bubbling at the surface, ready to gush out on us.
Retaining balance
Ortlund’s writing is erudite and his logic sharp. His arguments are compelling, and his answers to possible objections convincing. And yet, unlike most reviewers of this evocative little study, I cannot but retain several reservations.
The author spuriously exults that “mercy is who he is”, basing his statement on God “being rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4, emphasis the author’s). But the Bible also makes statements such as; “God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29), a verse quite overlooked by Ortlund. Indeed, despite the author’s desire for biblical balance, little emphasis is placed on the holiness of God throughout the study. And while he is clear about the need for sinners to “come to Christ”, he fails to adequately clarify that this involves ongoing meaningful repentance from sin.
While he is clear about the need for sinners to “come to Christ”, he fails to adequately clarify that this involves ongoing meaningful repentance from sin.
I do wonder if part of the overwhelming appeal of this book is that, in this feel-good age, it tells Christians what we want to hear. Is it possible this might lead to an attitude of ‘hyper-grace’ among those unable (or unwilling) to hold Ortlund’s insights in true biblical perspective? I certainly hope not.
Balm to the weary soul
Caveats notwithstanding, I’m in no doubt that, overall, this is a thoughtful, well-crafted and thoroughly inspirational study. I know I have benefitted significantly from reading it, finding it impossible not to be moved by the remarkable depths of God’s love to which the author takes the reader through the Scriptures.
Read properly, and held in balance, ‘Gentle and Lowly’ will undoubtedly prove pure spiritual balm to many a pastor, leader and church member, and especially to believers who sometimes doubt if they are truly loved by God; or who wonder if Christ’s forgiveness is given more reluctantly than joyfully.
‘Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers’ (224pp) is published by Crossway Books and is available from re-vived.com for the significantly-reduced price of £10.99 (inc p&p).
1. Almost the only exceptions coming from one or two conservative Reformed circles, such as John MacArthur’s Grace to you website.
