The Happy Christian: Ten Ways to Be a Joyful Believer in a Gloomy World

by David Murray

Overview

A unique combination of biblical teaching, scientific research, and personal biography shows those who follow Jesus how to live joyful, purposeful lives.

Hopelessness has invaded much of our culture, even reaching deep into the church. But while the world is awash in negativity, Christians have resources to live differently.

In The Happy Christian, professor and pastor David Murray blends the best of modern science and psychology with the timeless truths of Scripture to create a solid, credible guide to positivity. The author of the acclaimed Christians Get Depressed Too, Murray exposes modern negativity’s insidious roots and presents ten perspective-changing ways to remain optimistic in a world that keeps trying to drag us down.

The Happy Christian invites readers to shed negativity and become countercultural missionaries by demonstrating the positive power of the gospel in their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780718022013
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	02/24/2015
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. David Murray is professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. He previously pastored two churches in Scotland for twelve years. Murray is the author of Jesus on Every Page, Christians Get Depressed Too, and How Sermons Work. David, his wife, Shona, and their five children live in the Lake Michigan area.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Happiest People in the World xi

1 Happy Facts: Facts > Feelings = Positive+ 1

2 Happy Media: Good News > Bad News = Positive+ 25

3 Happy Salvation: Done > Do = Positive+ 47

4 Happy Church: Christ > Christians = Positive+ 65

5 Happy Future: Future > Past = Positive+ 81

6 Happy World: Everywhere Grace > Everywhere Sin = Positive+ 105

7 Happy Praise: Praise > Criticism = Positive+ 121

8 Happy Giving: Giving > Getting = Positive+ 141

9 Happy Work: Work > Play = Positive+ 173

10 Happy Differences: Diversity > Uniformity = Positive+ 193

Conclusion: Grand Totals Positive Faith = The Happy Christian 219

Acknowledgments 235

Notes 237

Scripture Index 251

Subject Index 252

About the Author 262

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'If anyone else had written a book with this title I wouldn't have picked it up. The fact that it was written by Dr. David Murray made me not only pick it up but study it in depth. This is not a 'feel good' book but a book about the genuine joy and happiness that we can know as beloved followers of Christ in a broken world.' — Sheila Walsh

Christians and non-Christians alike are besieged by bad news and a world of difficulty. Christians, though, should respond in a way that reflects the hope they have found in Christ. In Happy Christian, David Murray instructs us on how to face the challenges of this cynical age with a rooted joy and a resounding happiness. Happy Christian will instruct, inspire and encourage believers to live our their faith with true joy. — Ed Stetzer

David Murray’s Happy Christian is a timely reminder to all believers that the sorrows of this world are no match for the supreme joy of knowing Christ, Christians everywhere will be encouraged by this work for years to come. — Ed Stetzer

There’s a sort of gloom and doom in the air. You don’t have to go far to get a whiff of it, as matter of fact, you probably know it well. David Murray understands that there is a problem when our hearts and minds are set on the negative things of this world and he has a wonderful solution: the Bible. “The Bible has an uplifting and positive message,” he says. And he is right. “Jesus leads us through the dark valleys and beside green pastures.” If we set our minds on all we have in Christ, how could one not be filled with the joy of the Lord? With a fascinating mixture of science and biblical truth, Murray sets out to help us see how we practically seek the joy found in Christ. The Happy Christian reminds me that the joy of the Lord truly is my strength. — Trillia Newbell