Having “grown up” spiritually and being in ministry within a Calvary Chapel for nearly 15 years, verse-by-verse, solid Bible teaching is a norm, as well as a sound Biblical base of ministry, so I’m not one to be drawn quickly to new books aimed to challenge the thinking of the church (after all, Calvary Chapels are solid and focused on equipping people to do the work of the ministry). I had read “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and was impressed. I then heard David Platt speak at Liberty University and thought I should check out his book. In fact, I enrolled at bloggingforbooks.com for that very reason, simply to have a chance to read/own this book. However, it was not anything new that I had not already heard before which was a bit disappointing. I don’t say this because I feel I know it all or because being for a C.C. we have it all together, but the book didn’t really make me really have to stop and think the way other books have. However, to the Christian going to the church where the focus is on clever sermons than expository, deep teaching of the Bible (not simply about the Bible), or to one who hasn’t been exposed to this Biblical line of thinking, this book is one that should be considered on the reading list (though I would recommend first “The Upside Down Church” by Greg Laurie or “The Jesus Style” by Gayle Erwin first). David Platt’s heart is to see the American Christian’s heart stirred past the idea of the American Dream and instead focused on the heart of God, an idea to which all of Christians should strive. Is this really radical? Well for those who are striving after this way of thought, no. But to those who are living their lives according to the American Dream – extremely! The danger with this book: simply reading it and not putting into practice what you learn (or are reminded about again).
I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me a free copy of this book to review as a part of their review program
