Book Review: The Secret of Contentment by William B Barcley
The Secret Of Contentment by William B. Barcley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Own.
Barcley’s book is an attempt to bring together Burroughs’ Hidden Jewel and Watson’s Art of Divine Contentment and bring them into the 21st Century for the modern reader. He builds his argument carefully and in detail, so that the last chapters reverberate with the joy and peace that contentment in Christ brings. He beautifully pulls scripture from the Psalms, Hebrews, Philippians, the Gospels all together for a picture of what that life can look like.
The earlier chapters have much to hash through and can be a bit difficult reading … because of the actual writing itself as well as the content. It is difficult to be challenged to examine yourself, add and subtract to your own burdens, circumstances, and desires.
The book’s modish use of bullet points and a numbered outline could be a positive or negative for you. I, personally, am not a fan, but a lot of people are.
This book has questions at the end of each chapter which I didn’t utilize, but could make for a good devotional, reflective book.
Happily, I read this book around the time of our Women’s Retreat on which our speaker was dealing with the topic of Contentment and Rest. This was a great accompaniment and follow-through. It helped me with her presentations and vice versa.
I give it four because the early chapters aren’t as engaging as the latter chapters. I enjoyed it and am glad I read it.
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.