David Platt’s Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream is a poignant criticism of the Church in America. It compares our opulent megachurches with Christ’s small-scale ministry of discipleship. It contrasts our world of selfish consumerism with an alternative approach marked by “desperation for the Spirit of God”. The author accuses America of twisting and mutilating the Gospel to conform to its own desires. Platt’s argument is persuasive and convicting, leaving the reader with a strong desire to get back to the basics of Christianity.

In the second half of the book, Platt explores the implications of the unadulterated Gospel. He makes the case that we should be more generous, using our amazing wealth and resources to help others. He also emphasizes the need to follow the Great Commission, getting out of our comfort zones and spreading the Word of God to all corners of the earth. Some might criticize this book for labeling these principles as “radical”. After all, they are really just basic tenets of our faith. However, Platt uses the word “radical” to emphasize the fact that these ideas are in direct opposition to the standards of the American Dream.

For those interested in leading a genuine Christian life, the author presents a year-long program consisting of specific activities. Each activity is meant to tear you away from your comfortable, worldly standard of living and put you on the path to following Christ. The list is remarkably simple, but challenging at the same time. If everyone in Christian America were to try this program, it really might change the world.

Memorable quotes from Radical:

“The cost of nondiscipleship is profoundly greater than the cost of discipleship. For when we abandon the trinkets of this world and respond to the radical invitation of Jesus, we discover the infinite treasure of knowing and experiencing him.”

“…we have actually turned away from Jesus. We have in many areas blindly and unknowingly embraced values and ideas that are common in our culture but are antithetical to the gospel he taught… We need to return with urgency to a biblical gospel.”

“The message of biblical Christianity is not ‘God loves me, period,’ as if we were the object of our own faith. The message of biblical Christianity is ‘God loves me so that I might make him – his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness – known among all nations.’ Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around him. We are not the end of the gospel; God is.”

Quite possibly the best music video. I’ve ever seen. In my life.

It’s not every day that you have a chance to read a Christian murder mystery. That’s just what you get, though, when you pick up Hunter’s Moon by Dan Hoesel. In the story, protagonist CJ Baxter returns to his boyhood home of Adelia, New York. CJ is a successful young novelist, but his life has started to crumble in front of his eyes. His trip to Adelia was supposed to be an escape from his problems, but it has only served to open old wounds and uncover a dark past.

Some might criticize this book for its slow pace or its abrupt climax, but I think it’s a solid piece of work for a part-time author. The characters are developed very carefully, and the attention to detail is quite good. Mr. Hoesel manages to maintain the reader’s suspense right up to the end of the story. He also manages to portray the inner struggles of a new believer in a compelling way. The character of CJ struggles to live righteously, even as his sinful nature fights to take over.

Hunter’s Moon would be a good read for a lazy, rainy weekend. It’s no instant classic or literary masterpiece, but it is engaging and entertaining.

In The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, writer Steven J. Lawson investigates one of the most famous theologians ever produced in North America. Jonathan Edwards was an amazing individual, and his example should encourage us in our personal Christian lives.

When he was just seventeen, Jonathan Edwards began creating a list of rules designed to govern his life. These resolutions set a remarkably high bar, especially considering that they were being applied to a teenager! However, Edwards did not see these precepts as lofty ideals, but rather as practical guidelines for conforming himself to the image of Christ.

There were resolutions regarding self control, relationships with others, the study of the Word, and more. Edwards frequently assessed his personal progress, and his journal contains passionate accounts of both his successes and failures. When was the last time you sat down and performed a spiritual assessment on yourself? We should always be looking for ways to improve our obedience to God and our love for others.

No matter how interesting the subject matter is, it’s difficult to write a book about a list. Lawson attempts to tackle Edwards’ resolutions by grouping them according to subject. This helps, but the text still lacks a unified flow and rhythm. The formulaic approach, covering one resolution at a time, makes this book feel more like a textbook than a biography.

After reading The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, you will feel inspired to take control of you life and live deliberately for Christ. If Jonathan Edwards was able to, so can we.

The Hole in Our Gospel, by World Vision president Richard Stearns, is the best book I’ve read this year. It exhorts the Christian Church to focus on the needs of the poor, spreading God’s love to those who need it the most.  The book argues that we cannot fully realize the Gospel of Christ unless we work to solve issues of social justice. By telling his personal story, Stearns makes that case that we all need to do our part to help our neighbors.

For the most part, the American Church has become all about “spirituality” and the emotional personal experience. We’ve lost our sense of practical purpose and we’ve forgotten how to make a real difference in the world. Mr. Stearns reminds Christians of their enormous potential and their clear, God-given mandate to change the world for the better. He describes a number of specific challenges that need to be addressed, but he never loses sight of the basic goal: bringing the Good News to the disadvantaged.

This book is both inspiring and convicting. It has encouraged Kristen and I to take a stand and commit more of our resources to social justice issues. With some friends from our church, we’re working toward the construction of a deep well in Africa. If you’re interested in making an impact in the world, start by reading The Hole in Our Gospel.

Notable Quotes:

“We have taken this amazing good news from God, originally presented in high definition Dolby stereo, and reduced it to a grainy, black-and-white, silent movie.”

“…before we can demonstrate that love and offer the gospel to the rest of the world, we have to fill the hole in our own gospel.”

“…our greatest power to change the world is released when we come together in collective action to organize and focus the resources of the whole body of Christ.”