Radical Blog Review

Are you ready to get Radical?  I'm not joking.  If you aren't really ready to hear some tough stuff and be changed, then read no further.

A few weeks ago, the Bible Study I'm in on Tuesday nights started watching a series of sermons by David Platt from The Church at Brook Hills, which is a mega-church down in Birmingham, Alabama.  Being from a similarly situated church, let me say, watching these sermons is not easy.  On the tails of Crazy Love, it's hard.  REALLY hard.  And then a few weeks ago, I was presented the opportunity to review David Platt's Book, appropriately entitled Radical:  Taking back your faith from the American Dream.   There is also a companion book called The Radical Question  which is available in small packs for you to hand out to friends, family or church members.

What I've learned so far through this book and watching the series of sermons is that we have modernized scripture and somehow made that OK because it's the scripture that makes us uncomfortable.  My friend Leigh Ann explains it better than I can in this post. 

"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?"  Certainly not I!  (ok, maybe I'm a little closer to it since Steve's been unemployed!)

"In this book, 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 his 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."

So the question is, will you do it?  Are you ready to get Radical?  Because if you are, then you need to get this book.  But I will again warn you...be prepared for change.  We did not get to where we are today overnight.  It's taken generations to develop this love of materialism "stuff".  It will take generations to move the dial the other direction where things no longer matter, but the lost and suffering do.  Why not let it start with you?  With us?  Let's do it.  Let's get Radical!

Normally I would have an additional copy of the book to give away, but this time I only have one copy and I'm bequeathing it to my dear friend and Bible Study leader for introducing me to this Radical way of life!  Thanks LAS!

However, if you are interested, you can read the 1st chapter of Radical here.  And if you just aren't sure, you can actually request a FREE copy of The Radical Question here.

Disclaimer:  This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.