Synopsis: 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, conveinience, 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 Raidical, David Platt challanges 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 didsciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you ahve ehard. And he tells the dramtic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gorspell according to Jesus.
Finally, he urges you to join in the 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. (From the back of the book)
Roughts: Platt, in a simple and unadorned way, says Americans take Christianity and use it to help us achieve the American Dream instead of living as God would want us to. We use our money and time to surround ourselves with luxuries while billions of people die without knowing Christ.
This is a hard book to read. I wanted him to say something heretical so I could chuck it and forget the challenge he stabbed into my heart. But one cannot escape two things: 1) Jesus called us to live a certain way and 2) I do not live that way.
In the end, Platt issues a five-point challenge that, if taken, may lead to a radical change in how we live.
I recommend this book with a caution: do not read if you aren't serious about following God. It is a waste of time otherwise.
Bookmarks: 7 out of 10
Awards: None
Date Completed: 1-15-2011
Pages: 219
In Raidical, David Platt challanges 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 didsciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you ahve ehard. And he tells the dramtic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gorspell according to Jesus.
Finally, he urges you to join in the 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. (From the back of the book)
Roughts: Platt, in a simple and unadorned way, says Americans take Christianity and use it to help us achieve the American Dream instead of living as God would want us to. We use our money and time to surround ourselves with luxuries while billions of people die without knowing Christ.
This is a hard book to read. I wanted him to say something heretical so I could chuck it and forget the challenge he stabbed into my heart. But one cannot escape two things: 1) Jesus called us to live a certain way and 2) I do not live that way.
In the end, Platt issues a five-point challenge that, if taken, may lead to a radical change in how we live.
I recommend this book with a caution: do not read if you aren't serious about following God. It is a waste of time otherwise.
Bookmarks: 7 out of 10
Awards: None
Date Completed: 1-15-2011
Pages: 219
The book is very straight forward and easy to read, and while I agree with the message and its need in our church culture, I don't see the book as very unique or offering much in terms of an original take on this issue. While I think people should read it and books like it in order to take the message of Jesus more seriously, the book in the context of its time of publishing does not stand out to me much. How's that for a mixed review.
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