Title: Radical: Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream
Author: David Platt
Released: May 4, 2010
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah
Pages/format: 240 (Trade Paperback)
Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Living
Source: Blogging for Books
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… But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?
In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being a disciple–then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a “successful” suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.
Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment–a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.
American Christianity has been watered down to suit the comforts, luxuries, and individualism of the American Dream. In essence, we have taken the gospel and reshaped its teachings to fit our lifestyle when we should have been reshaping our lifestyle to fit the gospel. Author David Platt addresses this skewed version of Christianity boldly and unabashedly. Denouncing our half-hearted attempts at following Christ and acknowledging his own failure to live up to the standards of the Word, Platt challenges believers to stop messing around and get serious about living radically for Jesus.
Pointed, provoking, and convicting, Radical will challenge your perception of what it means to be a Christian and force you to answer one of the toughest questions ever asked: What is Jesus worth to you?
About David Platt:
David Platt is the pastor of the church at Brook Hills, a four-thousand-member congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely regarded as an exceptional expositor, David has traveled and taught around the world. He holds two undergraduate and three advanced degrees, including a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. David and his wife, Heather, live in Birmingham with their family.
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A clear review, not familar with this author.
Great review! I think this is an issue that a lot of people aren’t comfortable confronting, but I’m definitely adding this book to my TBR list. Another book, I read that deals with many of the same themes is Death by Suburb by David L. Goetz – it’s a good one for a group study or an individual read.
I’ll have to check that one out!
I read it a few years back so I’m not sure if it’s still completely relevant, but it was a really interesting book when I first dove into it.
On a totally unrelated note, can I use your ‘Love your comments” button? It’s super cute and I’d love to add it to my blog!
Sure thing! It’s not exclusively mine. It’s part of the free flair available at http://www.shabbyblogs.com/
Thanks for this review. I haven’t heard of this author or his work. I was just discussing Shane Claiborne and his version of radical Christianity the other day. Have you read Claiborne or know much about him? He’s got a pretty interesting story and a convicting message as well. This one looks like one I will need to get my hands on sometime soon.
I haven’t read any of Claiborne’s books, but I have read a lot about him. He’s a really interesting character and I admire his dedication to the gospel, though I disagree with him that conservatism and Christianity aren’t compatible. I’ll definitely add his books to my TBR list!