Dangerous Virtues, by John Koessler

Sin.  Who likes to talk about sin?  Not many.  But John Koessler takes on the traditional seven deadly sins in Dangerous Virtues: How to Follow Jesus When Evil Masquerades As Good.  As a former pastor and current professor of theology, Koessler writes for the layperson, exploring sin as a corruption of our humanity.  Part of being a disciple of Jesus is to correctly orient our natural inclinations.  For example, the sin of envy does not imply that desire itself is wrong.  "The key to defeating envy is not to suppress our capacity for desire but to reorient it. . . . We don't need to stop desiring.  Our desires need a conversion."

Far from soft-selling or minimizing sin, Koessler takes it seriously.  He writes, "Sin is more that a weakening of human goodness; it is an absence."  Koessler's pastoral tones lends itself to discipleship, not condemnation.  A recognition of sin, in this case the seven deadly ones, is an opportunity for understanding the human condition and the Christian call to holiness.  Ultimately, the follower of Jesus can lean on Jesus' grace and forgiveness while growing in virtue.  Koessler doesn't trivialize or minimize sin, nor does he trivialize following Christ, but he makes it clear that Christ's work in us is the only way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!