Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude

Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude by Joe Rigney

Exploring Courage in Light of the Gospel 

Throughout Scripture, important biblical figures have faced numerous adversities with remarkable courage. In the New Testament, the apostles endured persecution, imprisonment, and even death for spreading the good news of the gospel. Yet, amid their struggle, they continued to expand the kingdom of God—even rejoicing as they suffered for Christ. How can believers exhibit this same courage today?

In Courage, author Joe Rigney explores the Christian virtue of fortitude and its connection to the gospel. From a theological perspective, Rigney argues that courage—used in the proper context—is a sign of God’s salvation and a believer’s faith in Christ. In this concise and practical book, readers will defeat feelings of anxiety, anger, and fear as they gain boldness from God to endure all of life’s circumstances.

• Explores Christian Fortitude: How the gospel shapes this important Christian virtue
• Practical Study: This concise guide encourages Christians to build up their boldness through Christ
• A Part of the Growing Gospel Integrity Series: Created in partnership with Union School of Theology
• Written by Joe Rigney: author, The Things of Earth and Lewis on the Christian Life

Growing Gospel Integrity Series 

Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund

Worthy: Living in Light of the Gospel by Sincliar Ferguson

Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude by Joe Rigney

Endorsements

“Joe Rigney’s Courage is a bellwether, defining and defending a virtue that every Christian will need in abundance in our anti-Christian age. Rigney’s book is a gem and a must-read. It is surely a book that I will be rereading often.”

Rosaria Butterfield
Former Professor of English, Syracuse University; author, Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

“In a world paralyzed by fear yet attracted to displays of conviction, boldness, and fearless action, there is an opportunity for the joyful virtue of Christian courage to shine. In Courage, Joe Rigney not only provides an explanation of courage and where it derives from but also issues a call to courage for the glory of God. It’s fantastic. I pray God uses this little book to stir big things in the hearts of many.”

Erik Reed
Pastor and Elder, The Journey Church, Lebanon, Tennessee; Founder, Knowing Jesus Ministries

“Take heart, Christian! As Christians in the West watch their societies increasingly turn against their Christian roots, this call is particularly relevant. Compromise and cowardice are contagious—but so is courage. With clear definitions, introductory forays into classical virtue theory, and inspiring examples drawn from Scripture, Narnia, and elsewhere, Rigney seeks to foster virtue for faithful witness to Christ. I am confident this book will do just that for many readers.”

James R. Wood
Assistant Professor of Ministry, Redeemer University

“The apostle John tells us that the coward’s portion is in the lake that burns with fire. That means that courage is not some optional virtue for a select set of Christians. All of us need godly courage to unflinchingly face the unique challenges and battles of our time. Joe Rigney helpfully shows us what courage looks like—in men, in women, in stories, and in our Savior—so that we can gain the stability of soul necessary to be courageous in every trying time.”

Abigail Dodds
author, Bread of Life; (A)Typical Woman; and A Student’s Guide to Womanhood

“Joe Rigney has quickly become one of the pastoral voices I trust most for discernment and wisdom when thinking through any topic. His treatise on courage—which explains that bravery is a habit we learn by rightly ordering our fears and setting our minds on God’s promises—demonstrates why. In a culture where arrogance is so often mistaken for boldness and recklessness for strength, Rigney offers practical advice on how to draw true courage from biblical wisdom. In his encouragement to preach about unpopular sins and his counsel on developing courage appropriate to one’s sex, he demonstrates how much he himself possesses the virtue he is writing about.”

Megan Basham
Culture Reporter, The Daily Wire; author, Beside Every Successful Man