The Good and Beautiful You - James Bryan Smith
/REVIEWER: Ray Taylor
THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL YOU
BOOK: The Good and Beautiful You
(Hodder & Stoughton, May 2023) 259pp, paperback
This book is the fourth and final in a series, the other three being The Good and Beautiful Community, The Good and Beautiful Life and The Good and Beautiful God.
Discovery identity
The book focuses on eleven key truths about ourselves, and encourages us to find our identity in Christ by realising the true nature of our soul. Smith is a founding member of the spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, and the book reflects the potential ability of all of us – spiritually – to discover the person Jesus created us to be.
The eleven basic truths, each given a chapter, are: we have a soul; we have a sacred body; we are desired; we are loved; we are made for God; we are forgiven; we have been made alive; we have been made holy; we have a sacred story; we are called; we will be glorified.
Small groups
It is suggested that to get the most out of the book, it should be used in the context of a community like a small group, a few friends in a house group or meeting in a coffee shop. Whilst it can be read individually – as in my case – it is recognised that working through the book with others greatly magnifies its impact.
If you have the time, it’s also a good idea to tackle a chapter a week, complete all the weekly exercises, maintain a regular journal and share ideas with the rest of the group. The back of the book also includes an extensive small group discussion guide, which is a study in itself.
I agree that completing the book in community is the best approach. However, even if you read the book on your own, there is much to be gained from Smith’s insights and lots of issues to mull over, not the least of which is the whole subject of glorification. For anyone who has ever been asked the question what happens when we die – is that the end of it or the beginning of a greater ‘journey’? – Smith offers more than the usual ‘resurrection of Jesus’ story and its implications for us. His views on grief, fear, grace, hope and Heaven are extremely useful for anyone taking a Christian funeral service, and worth reading for their own sake.
I would recommend this book to all Christians but to do it full justice, you need to give it the time it deserves.
Reviewer: Ray Taylor is a Messianic Jew, a Local Methodist Preacher and the chairman of the local branch of Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons).
