Randy Alcorn - Happiness

Run, do not walk, to get this book. This may be book of the year, right here. I dont know if theres a more important book to start the year with. Want happiness this year? Want to know how God wants your happiness this year? Want this to be an unforgettable year? I can give no higher recommendation than this bookI want to give this one to everyone I know. Ten stars.

Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts and The Greatest Gift

Happiness is the most comprehensive Christian treatment of happiness I know, resulting in one of the most enjoyable, exciting, and exuberant books of theology Ive read in a long time. Its one of those rare, potentially life-changing books that has the ability to positively transform our view of God, the Bible, the world, and the Christian life. Unlike some books that seem to have been thrown together in a weekend, Happiness took three years to write. And it shows. Theres a remarkable breadth and depth in Alcorns teaching on what the Bible says about happiness, his presentation of what theologians throughout church history have said about it, and his analysis of why the church and culture have been moving in opposite directions on the subjectthe church often viewing happiness with suspicion while culture worships at its feet. For its positive effect on my own soul, for its capacity to radically transform Christians lives, and for its potential to improve the churchs evangelistic message, Happinessis my 2015 book of the year.

David P. Murray, Bible and theology professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, author of Jesus on Every Page

Alcorns new book is an encyclopedic survey of everything the Bible explicitly has to say about the theme of joy/happiness. Happiness is a survey that pulls in dozens of Greek and Hebrew words, and hundreds of quotes from the most important preachers and theologians in church history. Alcorn is like a prosecuting attorney, stacking evidence to prove the essential role of happiness in the Christian life (and to disprove the longstanding joy/happiness dichotomy). I find this to be the most compelling book of 2015.

Tony Reinke, DesiringGod.org, author of Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books and Newton on the Christian Life

How can a Christian be happy in God? Randy Alcorn has considered this question from more angles than I would have thought possible. The result is a comprehensive but enjoyable reference work, both theoretical and practical, that is suitable for probing inquiry or bedside reading.

Colin Hansen, editorial director at The Gospel Coalition, author of Blind Spots and Young, Restless, Reformed

We have all heard the way happiness is frequently pitted against genuine, vibrant Christian spirituality.... Alcorn amasses a mountain of quotes from throughout church history affirming a Christian quest for happiness.

David E. Prince, pastor and professor of preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, author of Church with Jesus as the Hero

Alcorn refreshingly wants to shift the focus of religion away from pure duty and obligation. Christians should observe the gospel through the happiness of their lives, he explains, not just the deeds they accomplish or the acts they avoid.... Alcorn attempts to diminish the divide between sacred and secular thats found in certain strains of Christianity.... Christian readers of all kinds may find that happiness is not as elusive as they once thought.

Publishers Weekly

This book will forever change the way readers think about happiness.

CBA Retailers+Resources Newsletter

Happiness is an important, truth-filled, joy-producing message.

Alex Chediak, professor at California Baptist University, author of Thriving at College and Beating the College Debt Trap

One of the nations premiere authors and teachers, Alcorn says he examined the often neglected truth that though the present world involves much evil and suffering, nonetheless God calls us to find pleasure and delight in him. Everyone desires to be happy, but too often people seek it in the wrong ways. Alcorn points out a key concept, something readers may not have recognized: holiness and happiness are inseparable.

Randall Murphree, AFA Journal

Alcorn shows that human beings were created to be happy, desire to be happy, and pursue happiness with single-minded focus. Moreover, God is happy (infinitely so!), and he created us to share in his happiness. The book does a great job of dispelling some common myths about happiness. Far from a superficial topic, happiness is of the utmost importance for our Christian life and witness. After all, happy Christians make God look goodthey glorify him and draw people to him. The book is a great reminder that our desire to be happy isnt wrongits inescapable and rightwhile showing us God is the true source of all happiness. Reading Happiness has been, so far, a happy experience itself. I think every Christian could benefit from its lessons.

Matt Erickson, managing editor of Facts & Trends

Randy Alcorns book on happiness is one of the best books Ive read in a while because I learned something new and deeper about God and myself. Ive been a believer for over forty-five years and never realized that happiness is a divine attribute of the nature of God as much as sovereignty, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and holiness. Like water on dry ground, this book has watered my soul. Ive been savoring every page! It is amazing and eye opening, and it corrects the false assumption that God cares only about your holiness, not your happiness. Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

Cathe Laurie, author of Hope for Hurting Hearts and As I See It: Thoughts for Women on Issues That Matter from a Biblical Perspective

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Happiness

Copyright 2015 by Randy Alcorn. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of meadow copyright Andrey tiyk/Shutterstock. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of sun copyright Kushnirov Avraham/Dollar Photo Club. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jennifer Ghionzoli

Edited by Stephanie Rische

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ASV are taken from The Holy Bible, American Standard Version.

Scripture quotations marked CEB are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright 2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked CJB are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.