For For readers who want a short, warm reflection on what joy is and where it is found; not for readers wanting psychology of happiness.
Should I read this?
For the general reader
4 of 5strongly recommended
For the researcher
1 of 5marginal
Difficulty
1 of 5light
A reflection on joy as something given, and finally as God himself.
How it proceeds
Philosophic3 of 5
Scriptural2 of 5
Experiential5 of 5
Sociological0 of 5
Historical0 of 5
Independent intensities, 0–5 — what the work is made of, not how good it is.
Published by Ignatius Press in 2025, this reflection on the nature of joy argues that joy cannot be reached or found but only given, and that true joy is God himself, who draws us out of ourselves. Kreeft contrasts joy with false happiness and holds that it is near at hand even amid sorrow.
