Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Radical by David Platt

It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…

This is what the book Radical is all about, giving up the American Dream to live radically for Christ. Part of the way into the first chapter I had declared this my new favorite book, however he lost me in chapter four. There was a part that he didn’t clarify well, and I really thought he was dead wrong. Had I not been required to finish this book, I might have put it down and declared it a loss, I am so glad I didn’t! He clarified himself later in the chapter and it turns out I agree with him after all! I never did get as into the book again after that though… I do think it was really good, and the first 3 chapters are AMAZING!!! If he could have clarified himself earlier on in chapter 4 this very possibly could have been my new favorite book.

I loved that he created a website to accompany this book. There is tons of helpful information there for those who commit to the radical challenge that he purposes in the book. One of the other GREAT resources that he shared in the book was the website Operation World. I think it is an amazing resource that I am going to start using :)

Overall I would highly recommend this book to any and every Christian.

http://www.BloggingForBooks.org
Disclosure: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Breakdown:

Worldview:
Very Biblical

Target Audience: Christians

Positive Elements: This book is almost all positive! It is biblically strong, well written, and just a really positive book overall!

Inappropriate Language: None

Unbiblical Content: None

Other Negative Elements: I disagree with the idea that everyone needs to somehow give or go to another country. Missions and world missions is not the same. He claimed that saying we have a heart for the U.S. is admitting that we only have 5% of the heart of God. I agree with this, however as a human being I do not see having an equal heart with God as something that is obtainable, and I do not see how claiming to have a heart for the U.S. is any different then claiming to have a heart for Sudan. They are both just countries that do not account for the entire world. I do agree that we should pray for the world, but if your heart is for the U.S. I don’t see that as wrong or any worse than having a heart for China.

2 comments:

  1. I still haven't recieved my copy :(

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  2. It's backwards from booksneeze I guess! :( Hope you get it soon, it was really good!

    ReplyDelete