Pride and Paradox: Exploring Christlike Humility and the Struggle to Defeat Pride

Why does God feel so far away? Why can’t I hear Him? How can I put Him first when it’s all I can do to just keep my head above water? Is it so wrong to put myself and my career first sometimes? Is it wrong to want to be successful? To want to be great?

I have struggled with these questions for much of my life. When I moved across the country to attend Harvard Law School, I expected to put them on hold and focus entirely on learning the law. Instead, the battle between my worldly ambition and my desire to follow God intensified, and I became obsessed with finding answers.

Pride & Paradox is the partially fictionalized story of me struggling to answer these questions and resolve this tension by confronting my own pride and trying to understand what it means to be humble like Jesus Christ is humble. Equal parts spiritual and personal, the book pulls from philosophers and prophets, scriptures and science, literature and life experiences to explore the paradoxical virtue of humility, and the eternal struggle to become who God wants us to become.

Reviews:

Elder Fernando R. Castro
Engaging, honest, thought-provoking. It will challenge you to think differently about what humility might be and how to approach it. This needs to be read by anyone who feels called to develop this elusive Christlike attribute.

Nora Castro
It is hard to believe that such words of wisdom came from a 26-year-old young man. Ben has proven with this book that a loving Heavenly Father is willing to send light and truth to all those who seek and ask, no matter their age and circumstances.

Jesse Egbert
Unusual in the best possible sense. . . . At times as rapid and exhilarating as an extended tennis rally, and at other times as slow and methodical as a chess game. This is one of those rare books that left me thinking hard and
feeling deeply long after I turned the last page. The material is raw and painfully honest. . . . I hope this book finds its way to readers from every faith and all walks of life so they can learn from it as I did. Most of all, I’m thankful that Ben
shared this story, and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last one he writes.”

Lloyd and Karmel Newell
“Engaging and insightful… [Ben’s] narrative description of humility will help readers navigate the complexities of faith and take the long road of true discipleship. This book is a gift to all who truly want to strengthen their relationship with the Lord.”

Lisa Hall
Smart and engaging, reminiscent of The Screwtape Letters. . . . In times when it is so easy to slip into a self-righteous and prideful mindset, Pride and Paradox brought a healing balm to my soul as I realized that my pride was holding me back from being who I really wanted to be.

Greg Dietz
A wonderful narrative that reads like a discovery adventure . . . As a non-Christian, I wasn’t sure I wanted to take this journey, but I’m glad I did. Ben’s humane vulnerability invites us to experience the ups and downs of his experience as if we were right there with him. Perhaps most importantly, the book takes us to the core of what is truly important in our personal lives and relationships with others.

Jacob Harcar
I think Catholics like me, other Christians, and even non-Christians will benefit from his insights into humility. . . The tension between humility and ambition is a hugely important human issue, yet somehow this is the first book I’ve found that tackles it. . . . This should be required reading for everyone who is both ambitious and wants to follow God.

For more reviews and information about the book, visit benjamintlee.com.