Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream

This review is a little late and I apologize to Waterbrook Multnomah.  Our family has been getting moved into our new home this past week (more on that in a later post this week) and I simply let the deadline slip past me.  I was also without not only time, but internet access for a few days.

Waterbrook Multnomah did provide me a copy of David Platt's latest book Radical along with the mini-book The Radical Question in exchange for my honest review here on the blog.  I'm going to make a very bold statement about this book upfront:  After reading this book, I think EVERY pastor, church leader, church member and person who has taken on the title of Christian should read this book!

I can not simply say I enjoyed this book.  Radical convicted me, challenged me and caused me to evaluate the depth of my love for the Lord in light of what His Word really has to say about following Him.  I squirmed uncomfortably my way through this book. 

Platt said things like this:

"We are afraid of what it might mean for our lives.  So we rationalize these passages away.  'Jesus wouldn't really tell us not to bury our father or say good-bye to our family.  Jesus didn't literally mean to sell all we have and give it to the poor.  What Jesus really meant was...' 

And this:

"We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist Him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with.  A nice, middle-class, American Jesus.  A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have.  A Jesus who would not expect us to forsake our closest relationships so that He receives all our affection.  A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all He loves us just the way we are...A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream." 

 And this:

"While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God."  He goes on to say, "This is how God works.  He puts his people  in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness."

And finally this:

"Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous.  It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier.  It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world.  Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things.  But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ.  And He is more than enough for us."

Platt's book is well written.  He peppers the pages with examples from the congregation he pastors of those who have chosen radical obedience to Christ so the reader gets to see what it actually looks like to live a life completely sold out to God.  Platt also draws from his own personal experiences in ministry to places like the underground house churches in Asia from where his idea of the Secret Church emerged.  He explains the concept of "Secret Church" in the book.  He ends the book with a one year challenge to the reader called "The Radical Experiment".

I encourage you to get your hands on a copy of this book if at all possible!  The book can be purchased at WaterBrook Multnohah. 
You can also get a FREE copy of the mini book, "The Radical Question", which contains a condensed version of the main points of the full length book by going HERE. 
I would also encourage you to visit www.RadicalTheBook.com. 

Blessings,
Jennifer