Radical ~ Blog Tour and Giveaway

Title: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Author: David Platt

Price: $14.99

Formats Available: Trade Paperback and eBook

On Sale: May 4, 2010

ISBN: 9781601422217

Publisher's Summary:


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 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.


My Thoughts:


Webster's defines "radical" in this way:


a. marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional
b. tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, traditions, or institutions


Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt, definitely does both.  In fact, as I read, I kept thinking, "This book is definitely radical!"  And then suddenly I realized, "But it shouldn't be."  


Radical is an easy read...and a very, very challenging one.  It is at the same time very basic...and very deep.  It's content is really nothing new...in fact, the fundamental principles of the book are over 2000 years old...and yet, it challenges us to live a life totally different from the "norm" in American Christianity.


Platt has lived...and is still living...the life of which he writes.  Called "the youngest megachurch pastor in history", Platt realized one day that his "model in ministry" was a man who "spent the majority of his ministry time with twelve men.  A guy who, when he left this earth, had only about 120 people who were actually sticking around and doing what he told them to do.  More like a minichurch, really.  Jesus Christ--the youngest minichurch pastor in history."


In trying to reconcile that, he realized there were two large questions facing him:
1.  Was he going to believe Jesus? and
2.  Was he going to obey Jesus?


David Platt decided that more than anything he wanted to say "yes" to those two questions...to be radically obedient to Jesus Christ.  He is still on the journey, he doesn't have all the answers, but he realizes that these are the questions every Christian must answer, and he invites the reader to join him on the journey of radical obedience.


I've read several books recently that contend that the church today, particularly the American church today, has become much too comfortable.  I've read several books recently on "living as Jesus lived".   They strongly advocate many good things...feeding the poor,  caring for orphans,  helping the homeless...and yet they tend to be  doctrinally "soft".  Not so Radical.  Yes, he addresses the need to care for the needy...but as a *byproduct* of our faith, not the central focus of it.  


I have already put this book on the list of "required reading" for my children as they become teenagers.  I highly recommend it for every Christian.  (I actually would recommend it for non-Christians as well, as Platt lays out the Gospel clearly and honestly.) 


Straight doctrine.  True stories of radical faith, both in Platt's church and in persecuted and impoverished churches around the world.  A fresh look at God's purpose for the church, and at the dangers of the "American Dream" mindset.  And a challenge..."One Year to a Life Turned Upside Down".   Radical contains all of these.  It's not a "comfortable" book.  It will shake you.  It will challenge you.  It may excite and inspire you...or it may anger you!  And then it will require a decision of you, the same one David Platt faced at the beginning of this journey: 


Will you believe Jesus?  And will you obey him, no matter what?


Free Stuff!  


Take a sneak peek at Radical by downloading the first chapter here.   And while supplies last, order a free copy of the companion mini-book, The Radical Question, here.   


Order:


Radical can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore, or by ordering here. 


Disclaimer (per FTC guidelines):


Waterbrook Multnomah provided a free advance copy of this book for the purposes of this blog tour.  No other compensation was received for my honest review.