Today’s culture is fascinated with watching the fruit of other people’s discipline while neglecting our own discipline. What do I mean by that? Take sports for example. We love to watch Dwyane Wade throw an alley-hoop to Lebron James. These two guys pour in hours at the gym each day. They are extremely disciplined and yet we can’t remember the last time we ran for twenty minutes. This also occurs in our spiritual lives.

Today’s Christian Young Men (I don’t consider myself too far removed) are fascinated with podcasts. We love sitting and listening to Matt Chandler or John Piper as the fruits of these men’s disciplines come alive. And all the awhile we are neglecting our own spiritual discipline.  The truth is, most of us don’t even know what it looks like to cultivate a godly disciplined life. This no longer has to be true.

Following the popular Disciplines of A Godly Man, Kent and Carey Hughes have teamed up to write Disciplines of A Godly Young Man. The book is written to young men around the ages of 13-18 and has provided them with a tool to cultivate spiritual discipline.

Discipline is a sweaty exercise. It comes from work, hard grueling and testing work. Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:7, “train yourself for godliness”. The Hughes start their book discussing the importance of discipline, a Holy Sweat. This introduction provides a great framework for the rest of the book. Many of us are talented in an area of life and thus have natural advantages. Because of this, we expect it to translate to our spiritual life as well. On this, Hughes writes, “None of us can claim a natural spiritual advantage. In reality, we are all equally disadvantaged. None of us naturally seeks after God”  (pg. 18). Thus, discipline in the Christian life is extremely important.

After the Introduction, the book is then broken up into five different areas of life. These consist of Relationships, Soul, Character, Ministry, and Grace. Under each of these headings consist further subheadings that dive deeper into the area of life. (for a full list of areas discussed, consult below)

The Hughes are clear and concise. The chapters are fast paced yet pack punch all the while remaining practical.  At the close of each chapter there is a “food for thought” and “an application/response” time. The Hughes aren’t concerned with just teaching  a theologically sound disciplined life. No, they want to see students living a theologically sound disciplined life. It is one thing to know what that life looks like and another thing to live that life. This perhaps was my greatest encouragement concerning the book.

Overall, I believe this book is extremely relevant to today’s young men. The Hughes are calling out young men and challenging them to become the man of discipline that God calls them to be. Young Men, be encouraged and challenged by this book.

My Rating 5/5 Stars

 Book Outline

1. Introduction – Discipline is Everything, Discipline for Godliness
2. Relationships – Purity, Friendship
3. Soul – Mind: Refusal, Mind: Filling, Devotion, Prayer
4. Character – Tongue, Work, Perseverance
5. Ministry – Church, Giving, Witness, Ministry
6. Discipline – Grace

I received this book free from Crossway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I remember the first time I came across I Am Second. I was driving in Dallas when I saw a black and white billboard featuring Jason Witten, the Dallas Cowboys tight end. The words I AM SECOND were written at the bottom of the billboard.

What started as a collection of well-made videos telling stories of transformation has now reached its way into book format as well. Written by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett, I Am Second tells the stories of both famous and unfamiliar people. Inside the book you are introduced to twenty different people who have all met Jesus and put him first in their life (hence, the title I Am Second).

The stories in the book are raw and honest. The reader is taken into the darkest and deepest moments in the individuals’ lives. No matter how thick the darkness, light bursts through and captures the hearts of each individual in the book.

There are a couple of things about the book that I enjoyed.

1. First and foremost, there is a clear gospel message at the end of the book. I was thankful for this.
2. Stories of transformation encourage me. The Gospel is the power to life change. The Cross of Christ is eternally effective. This is beautiful. Thus, I love stories of people being transferred from the “kingdom of darkness” to the “kingdom of his beloved Son”.
3. I really enjoyed the brevity of each story. Bender and Sterrett did a good job of story-telling without lingering or being too short. The testimonies are fast paced and capture your attention.
4. I also enjoyed the QR codes at the end of each story. These codes are placed beside other people whose testimonies are similar. This allows the reader to scan the code and go to the website to watch that person’s testimony online. I thought this was an excellent feature to the book.

I do have some personal concerns with the book.

1. I was disappointed with the lack of calling sin sin in the book. This is not to diminish the dark and painful stuff that people went through. However, I think our culture struggles to call sin sin. This concerns me out of preference more so than error.
2. I am also a little concerned with Jesus is first, I Am Second, everything is perfect now presentation in most of the stories (some stories speak of continual struggles). Even though Jesus is first in these people’s lives, they are not perfect, not yet anyway. God, through the Holy Spirit is sanctifying them. He is making them more holy. However, they have not arrived. Putting Jesus first does not always mean having your best life now, at least not in the American sense. Putting Jesus first does however mean having your best life forever. I don’t believe Bender and Sterrett are attempting to communicate this. However, the omission of sanctification in many stories does weigh on me a bit.

Overall, I was encouraged by this book. I value the testimonies of brothers and sisters in Christ who are justified, being sanctified, and one day will be glorified. If you enjoy stories of transformation, you will enjoy this book.

My Rating 4/5 Stars

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

At the beginning of each new year, I reflect back on my favorite books of the previous year. Sitting at the top of my list this year is Gospel Wakefulness by Jared C. Wilson (despite Wilson being a huge Patriot fan…haha).

Gospel Wakefulness is a gospel feast. In the foreword of the book, Ray Ortlund writes concerning Gospel Wakefulness, “It is the smelling salts of the gospel waved under our noses, startling us with realities in Christ more awakening in power than we have realized” (pg 9). This is a perfect description of the book.

We often wonder what makes our senses dull towards the Gospel. We fall into a spiritual laziness where we seem more asleep than awake. We run through systems and plans hoping to awaken to the realities of the Gospel. The truth is that it seems so far from us. Wilson writes to awaken us to the gospel.

On every page, Wilson is waving the gospel under our noses. With each pass, we are awakened to the deeps of the gospel. Let me be clear here. Wilson is not presenting an implied gospel with a set of rules to awaken us to the realities of Christ. After all, Wilson writes “An implied Gospel is a gospel FAIL.” (pg. 18). No, Wilson presents an explicit Gospel, page after page, which leaves us falling deeper in love Christ. This is what Gospel Wakefulness is. It is “treasuring Christ more greatly and savoring his power more sweetly” (pg 24).

Wilson lays out the book in thirteen chapters including an introduction and conclusion. He begins the book with a helpful explanation of what exactly he means by the term Gospel Wakefulness. I appreciated this chapter because I didn’t have a clear understanding of the meaning going into the book. The remaining chapters of the book are written for us to behold Christ. It is the gospel that wakens us. Therefore, Wilson reminds us that it is only the gospel that can change us. He can’t change us, nor is he seeking to change us. However, he can teach us and present us with beautiful streams of gospel truth and that is exactly what he does.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. No other book (besides the Bible) this past year has shaped and ignited my passion and wonder for the Gospel. I do not say that lightly. One of the biggest encouragements from the book is seeing Wilson’s passion for the Gospel along with stories of people changed by the Gospel. It is hard to read this book without seeing that the Gospel really has captivated and consumed the life of Jared Wilson and others. The Gospel really does captivate us. It really is power and it really is beautiful! Gospel Wakefulness is a testament to that truth.

A Caution for the Reader

I do, however, have a caution concerning a portion of the book. As a reader, it could be easy to get the idea or left feeling that there are tiers of believers. What I mean is that believers who are not Gospel waken are second class Christians. However, I want to caution you because I believe that Wilson writes enough clarification in the book to dispel this idea. I also truly believe that this is not Wilson’s intention at all. He even writes “This is not to set up tiers of Christian sanctification, as if there is a first-class discipleship and a second-class, and so on. Every believer is united with Christ on the same foundation, with the full access and authority granted by being made joint heirs with Christ. And in the final day, no matter where we are in our Christian walks, we will all reach the same destination on the same basis” (pg. 31).

So really, I mention this to be fair to the book and to the reader of the book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I would encourage you to sit under Wilson’s passion and learn from a humble man who dwells in the Gospel. It will stir your affections and drive you to worship our King Jesus. I plan on reading it again in 2012.

My Rating 5/5 Stars

I received this book free from Crossway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I remember when I first stumbled upon Matt Mikalato’s new book, Night of the Living Dead Christian. I immediately thought to myself “this book sounds absolutely ridiculous, but very intriguing.” I had my doubts though. Could a spiritual allegory really work with werewolves, vampires, robots and more? Even if it could work, would it really entertain me? With my resolve to try and read more fiction (and people saying he writes with the force of C.S. Lewis mixed with Monty Python, or Bonhoeffer with a little Lewis and Spurgeon), I picked up this book, and I am so glad I did.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is absolutely hilarious and at the same time slaps you in the face with theological truths and challenging insights. I don’t know if I can say that about any other book that I have read. There were moments where I would literally laugh out loud. Then four pages later, I am absorbing the truth presented in the text.

The story begins when Matt’s (yes he put himself as the main character, Brilliant!) neighborhood is turned upside down by monsters. As a neighborhood watchman, Matt suddenly finds his street flooded with a mad scientist, a robot, a werewolf, a church full of zombies and a monster hunter. Through a series of events, Matt finds himself partnered with Luther Martin, the werewolf, in a quest to cure his lycanthropy. Luther longs to shed the nature that has him at the brink of losing everything. However, it isn’t just a story about a werewolf wanting to be transformed, it is a story about how we as humans experience transformation! It is about the monsters we are and how Jesus transforms us.

Few things I loved about the book in no particular order:

1. Transformation – My favorite part of the book had to be the transformation moment. The transformation of Luther wasn’t a pretty, feel good, happy moment. Luther didn’t dance around in a field of bunnies. No, it was a moment that hurt but a definite moment that left Luther changed forever. That moment still resonates in my head. It reminds me of Eustace, the dragon, and Aslan from C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series.

2. Truth – I was delighted to find that Biblical truths and themes, both basic and deep, are present throughout the story. I remember when I first read Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. I delighted in Bunyan’s ability to craft a story packed with truth. I think Mikalatos has achieved a very similar outcome, although I am not ready to put his book on par with John Bunyan. Nevertheless, there are ample amounts of truth packed into the book.

3. Diagnosis – Another thing I loved about the book was Mikalatos’s use of monsters to diagnosis people in our church and world today. Not only was it hilarious, but also the comparison was spot on. These connections often left me laughing while at the same time convicting me of my monstrous behaviors.

4. Relevant – Monsters thrill us. We are in love with Twilight and the Walking Dead. We enjoy vampires, werewolves, and zombies. Mikalatos has taken these monsters and used them for the glory of God.

5. Pure Entertainment – This book brought me ample amounts of laughter and joy. I thoroughly enjoyed every page it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a funny, yet insightful, book.

My Rating 5/5 Stars 


Tyndale has graciously given me one copy of Night of the Living Dead Christian to giveaway on my blog! Below you will find an entry form.  The giveaway will close December 18, 2011. I will notify the winner by email.

Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers by Chap Clark is the updated version of his first edition Hurt. In this updated edition, Clark has added a new chapter, updated material and research, and provided more documentation throughout his book. Clark continues to look into the lives of our youth today. Not only that, Clark is passionate about our youth today. Thus, I respect the research and time Clark has put into this project. With that said, here are some of my thoughts concerning Hurt 2.0.

Hurt 2.0 is compiled into three parts. In the first part, The Changing Adolescent World, Clark lays the foundation for his book. He examines two foundational issues (abandonment and the world beneath) that our youth are struggling with today. The second part, The Landscape of the World Beneath, seeks to examine aspects of the youth’s life with the understanding from part one. In this section, the bulk of Clark’s research appears. He looks into aspects of culture such as peers, school, family, sports, sex, and more. The last part, Where Do We Go From Here, searches for solutions and strategies to turn the tide of abandonment.

So to whom is Clark writing all of this? When I first received this book I would have said it was written to anyone seeking to understand youth. While I still hold to this position I do so only half heartedly. After reading the book, I would suggest that Clark seems to be writing to more scholarly minded people. I do think parents, youth pastors and other youth workers can benefit a great deal from this book. However, I do not see them as the primary audience of it. (Chap, if you read this, feel free to correct me if I am wrong).

With that said, here are a few things I really liked about the book and two things I struggled with.

A Few Likes

• Part 1 – I really Clark’s work on abandonment and the world beneath. One of the most eye opening moments in the book were these two chapters. I truly believe that the book is worth the purchase just for these two chapters. It gave me a lot to think about that I previously never considered.
• Passion – I really enjoyed Clark’s passion for youth. It would be easy to write a book and not deeply care about your subject. I imagine some would say that your research is skewed if you care too deeply about the subject. However, I think Clark’s passion fuels his research and this is a plus.

Does theology really matter? Can’t I just follow Jesus? Do the words justification, sanctification, and glorification really need to be in my vocabulary? Maybe these are some questions you ask from time to time. You love Jesus but you just don’t see the need to study theology. Maybe you see theology as a subject that only scholars and pastors are supposed to study. The language is too difficult and the concepts run too deep for you to understand. No matter your opinion of theology, the truth is that we are all theologians. We are either good theologians or bad theologians. Theology matters and Joshua Harris has presented the church with a gift.

Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters is a fantastic book. Harris has presented the basics of the Christian faith, the ones that seem too hard to grasp, in a humble, easy to understand way that stirs us to worship. One of the best ways to describe Dug Down Deep is that it’s theology made simple, yet uncompromising.

Harris takes the reader through eleven chapters in which he explores God, Scripture, Jesus, Salvation, Sanctification, the Holy Spirit, the Church and more. He prefaces all of this with our need to be theologians. As a worker in youth ministry, I can think of many ways to use this book. Whether it is using it in discipleship, giving it as a gift, or building small group messages from it, Dug Down Deep is of tremendous value.

A few things I really enjoyed. (I could write so much more)

1. Truth – Joshua Harris presents essential truths of the gospel in a easy to understand format. Theology can be scary. It can be tough when words appear that don’t appear to be in any ones vocabulary except those who lived in the 13th century. Yet Harris has done a great job of making theology understandable. Not only that, but he has made it very applicable as well. This is rare.

2. Humble Orthodoxy – Humility is often separated from Theology. This is a sad reality. Harris longs to see otherwise. Humility is present with each word. The book comes to a close with the chapter Humble Orthodoxy. I am thankful for this chapter. May we all be people whose theology humbles us.

3. Doctrine of the Church – I am thankful that Harris wrote this chapter with clarity. Outside of church leaders and scholars, this doctrine can get left out. Not in this book. Harris reminds us that God has chosen to reveal himself to the world through his church, through us. What a beautiful reminder.

As stated above, Harris really has given the church a gift. Theology really does matter. Maybe you are looking to understand your faith more. Maybe you are searching for truth, truth that matters. Get this book. Let your heart, mind, and soul rejoice as you learn.

My Rating 5/5 Stars 

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Recently, I have found myself reading more and more biographies. To my delight, I came across an autobiography, A Heart For Freedom by Chai Ling.

 In a compelling and unveiling manner, Ling takes the reader deep into her past. This fast paced narrative not only opens eyes to the events surrounding Tiananmen Square and the political atmosphere in China during the late 80′s to today; it also captures Ling’s greater pursuit, the pursuit of freedom.

One of my favorite things about the book is the theme of freedom. Early on in Ling’s life you see her pursuit for freedom. Whether it was in her parents’ house, at school, in defending Tiananmen Square, escaping China, Buddhism or living in America, Ling is set out on a pursuit of freedom. In each pursuit, freedom seemed so far away, and time after time, purpose and peace seemed equally distant. The beauty of this theme is Ling finally found true everlasting freedom, peace, and purpose. She didn’t find it in politics, a husband, children or revolution. She discovered true freedom in the face of Jesus Christ. Now Ling is hoping that others will come to find the same freedom she has found.

Ling’s voice still rings of freedom. She is the founder of All Girls Allowed, which is an organization for girls who have experienced the injustice of the one-child policy in China. I love Ling’s description of her organization and the work God is doing in China. She writes, “The All Girls Allowed movement seeks to restore life, value, and dignity to the most vulnerable members of society–girls and mothers–so that the weak, the orphans, and the widows will truly know and experience the grace of God and the goodness brought by his love. Even though the one-child policy is intended for evil, God is using it for good by mobilizing his church to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the rest of the nation” (pg. 302). She sees the overarching purpose of her ministry and God’s plan for China.

The heart of Chai Ling is wrapped up in one of her final chapters in which she states, “In God’s timing and in God’s way, we will finish the unfinished work we started at Tiananmen, to bring freedom and salvation to China. This time, a new chapter of China’s history will be written. Greater things are yet to come.” (pg. 327)

If you enjoy biographies, I would encourage you to pick up a copy and walk alongside Ling as you read her story. God’s sovereignty and providence is seen clearly throughout her life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and am confident that God will continue to use Ling for the Glory of His Name in the nations.

I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Romans 8 has to be my favorite chapter in the Bible. I find myself frequently returning to the chapter and soaking in the truths that are present. Yet, if I am honest, Paul’s logic can often be hard to follow. Paul quickly moves topics while building on the framework in he laid in previous verses and chapters. When I got the chance to walk through the text with a pastor and scholar who has studied the text over his lifetime, I could not wait to dive in.

In his book, How The Gospel Brings Us All The Way Home, Derek Thomas engages the reader’s heart and mind as he not only exposits the chapter but guides the reader through Paul’s logical flow. The book itself, follows Paul’s thought process as it captures the key themes in Romans 8. Broken up into 11 chapters, Thomas presents a devotional commentary that is rich in truth and application. What started as a series of sermons is now a book and a tremendous one at that. Every believer should pick this up and learn from Thomas.

Here is what I enjoyed.

Thomas frequently pointed me back to Jesus. Chapter after chapter, Thomas brought me back to Jesus. Whether it was his commentary or illustrations, he stirred my affections for Christ.

Thomas used excellent illustrations to help illustrate the application of the text. Whether it was quotes, stories, or poems, the reader can quickly see the application presented. When reflecting on spiritual mindedness, Thomas gives us this story:

In 1631, the Covenanter Robert Bruce (1554–1631) was sentenced to death for preaching the gospel. On the morning of his execution, his daughter cooked him an egg for breakfast. It was his request. (Who cares about his cholesterol level when he is about to die?) It was so nice, he said, that he almost asked his daughter to cook him another one. Then he paused and said to her, “I breakfasted with you this morning; I’ll have supper with Jesus tonight.” (38-39)

Thomas also reflects on Jesus as our intercessor. He reflects on what Jesus might be saying to the father.

What does Jesus say to the Father? Perhaps something like this: “This one whom Satan is accusing is Mine. You gave him to Me before the foundation of the world. He’s Mine. I died for him. I shed My blood for this one. I bore the wrath for him. I did it all—everything. Now, Father, help him in his struggles. Send the Holy Spirit to encourage him. Give him victory over his sins. Remind him of what I have done and give him peace.” (127)

Lastly, Thomas brings the reader to a deeper understanding to the text. Thomas not only engaged my heart and affections, he engaged my mind as well. I think it is rare to find a writer that can do both. This is why I haven’t chosen to call it a devotional commentary. He digs into the text and uncovers the truth in it. He presents truths for every person. You don’t need to know Greek or Hebrew. It is not a technical treatment of the text. Rather, in a simple way, Thomas presents not-so-simple truth.

I believe that any Christian would benefit greatly from reading this book. The Gospel really does bring us all the way home. Our Triune God not only saves us, He sanctifies and glorifies us as well. Maybe you have been looking for a book that engages your heart and mind. Pick this one up and learn from Thomas as he takes you through Romans 8.

My Rating 5/5 Stars

I received this book free from Reformation Trust Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I was never a reader growing up. I didn’t want to sit down and read a book. I wanted to be outside playing some form of sport or doing some kind of activity. During my time in college a switch flipped. I suddenly enjoyed reading. It became a passion and I found delight in books. Since that time, I have devoted myself to becoming a better reader.

I’m not sure what I expected when I decided to read Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke. I thought it would just be a practical book to help me read better. However, it was so much more than that. Reinke not only helps you become a better reader, he also helps you develop a biblical worldview for reading.

The book itself is divided up into two sections. The first section is “A Theology of Books and Reading.” The second section is “Some Practical Advice on Book Reading.” Let me break down the two sections.

In section one, Reinke introduces the reader with crucial information for any Christian who wants to become a good reader. I say Christian because that is Reinke’s primary audience. Reinke isn’t concerned with just seeing people read faster and retain more information. He wants the reader to see and savor Christ as he or she reads the Bible as well as Christian and non-Christian books. After all, he states “And beholding the glory of Christ will transform how you read books-every book” (pg. 33). Thus, the first section of his book helps lay a foundation for Christians. He encourages the readers to develop a biblical worldview. He invites the reader to see the benefit of both Christian and non-Christian books. He shows the benefit of an imagination developed by books. At the heart of all of this, Reinke points the reader back to Christ. He points the reader back to Scripture. “Scripture is the ultimate grid by which we read every book” (pg. 26). The benefit of all this helps us to treasure Christ. I was encouraged by Reinke’s ability to communicate the gospel without leaving his topic. I believe that this section alone is enough to encourage any reader to read this book. The end of book reading isn’t to become more intelligent. No, the end of book reading is to worship Jesus through the discipline of reading.

In section two, Reinke begins to focus more on the practical side of reading. This is where the application comes into play. Maybe you have asked questions such as: “What books should I read? How should I read nonfiction vs fiction? How do I make time to read? What priorities or techniques should I apply to my reading life?”. Reinke answers questions such as these from his own reading experience. I deeply enjoyed chapter eight which contained twenty tips and tricks to reading nonfiction. I also really enjoyed his chapter on distraction and the internet. If I am honest, the internet, my smartphone, and my mac consume way to much of my interest and free time. I have never actually considered how it crippled my reading habits. I found rich information that stirred my heart and encouraged me to become a better reader. Reinke ends the book and this section with five marks of a healthy reader.These five marks include: prizing wisdom, cherishing old books, keeping literature in its place, avoiding making books into idols, and clinging to the Savior. I thought this chapter was a great way to end the book and remind the reader of what it looks like to become and be a better reader.

Overall, I deeply enjoyed reading Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke. I have never thoughtfully considered some of my habits when I read. However, while reading this book I stopped to review my habits and change them for the better. I appreciated his ability to maintain a theological and practical approach to books. I am thankful for both sections of the book which meshed together really well.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to become a better reader!

My Rating 5/5 Stars

I received this book free from Crossway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

There are times when I sit down with a book and can’t wait to start reading it. Everything about the book makes me want to like it. I want to like what the author has to say. The cover, the author, and the concept all jump out at me. So I begin to read it and sure enough I come to a point where I just can’t agree with much of what the author is saying. As much as I want to like everything that is being said, I just can’t. That is how I felt with More Lost Than Found: Finding a Way Back to Faith by Jared Herd. (Sidenote: I would love to sit down and talk with Jared over coffee for explanation concerning parts in his book)

Jared Herd’s writing approach is a creative one. He writes clever chapter titles such as “Tylenol and Duct Tape, Who Stole Jesus, and Body Language.” The cover design is catchy and artistic. The back cover grabs your attention. Herd’s writing style and packaging clearly communicates to a younger generation. After all, Jared Herd has spent the last ten years speaking to high school and college students. More Lost Than Found is written for “anyone who is wrestling or looking for language and a foothold to engage with God in a genuine way, a way that is not divorced from everyday life” (pg. xvi).

As mentioned above, I had a hard time with some of Herd’s material. To Herd’s credit, there were also parts of the book that I enjoyed and appreciated. So let me attempt to communicate what I liked and disliked.

If I could wrap up what I liked, it would be this: I really appreciated his raw honesty with relevant topics and cultural treatments. I think the church needs voice’s like Herd’s who stop and reflect on the current trends and course of the church. Jared is obviously in tune with culture in America and seeks to examine culture and our relationship to it. He interacts with topics such as worldviews, relationships, Christianity vs. Spirituality, guilt and doubt, technology, and a lot more. I appreciate people who take honest looks at these things whether or not I agree with their full examination. I enjoyed the insights and cultural observations by Herd. As Christians we should always be examining culture around us and finding ways to communicate Christ in a contextualizing way without compromising truth.

Here is the hard part of this review. It is a lot easier for me to be critical of this book because of my disagreement with certain parts. So here is an attempt to review the book respectfully explaining parts I found difficult.

First, I had a hard time with the flow and organization of the book. It seemed fragmented with no particular outcome in mind. It was hard to see where Herd was going and wanted to end up with the book. His writing style was unique and interesting. He wrote with humor. However the direction seemed lacking.

Secondly, Herd seemed to ask more questions than he gave answers. He used the words “perhaps, if, and maybe” a little too much. At the end of each chapter I had more questions for Jared than I did at the beginning of the chapter. I was left wondering what exactly Herd was trying to communicate through his book.

Thirdly, I had a hard time with the lack of biblical exposition. I don’t remember very many times where Scripture was quoted or used. There were times where Herd began to use a biblical story. However it seemed more filled with eisegesis than exegesis. I was often left wondering what was true from the biblical passage and what was just added to make a point. I also struggled with his treatment of the kingdom in chapter ten. Herd states “Jesus then began to teach that his kingdom was ultimately going to win. No one in Caesar’s kingdom liked this, and this is why Jesus was hunted down and murdered” (pg. 153). I don’t see this anywhere in the gospels. Jesus was tried for blasphemy. Rome hardly saw Jesus as a threat. They laughed as they crucified him. They played games for his clothing. Herd seemed to misunderstand what was really happening at the cross.

Lastly, the book seemed like just another rebellion against the church as an “institution” and a rejection of legalism. This seems to be a common trend with these books. Many have been burned by an institution and the rules they should follow. As a result they are looking for a new way or trying to discover their way back to faith. However, it seems like a misunderstanding of the church to me. The church isn’t an institution. It’s the Bride of Christ. It’s an organized movement with Jesus at the head. We would do well to communicate this thoughtfully and honestly rather than labeling the church an institution so we can take shots at the church…err I mean institution. We certainly aren’t doing everything right as the church. Churches are flawed and will be until the return of Christ. I do however believe that we need to stray from legalism. It is dangerous and unbiblical. On the other hand, I think promoting a correct view of the gospel keeps us from legalism. I don’t think the alternative is finding a new way to faith.

Overall, I was torn with this book. I wanted to like it. I enjoyed the topics Herd decided to engage. I thought Herd was engaging. However, I disagreed too often with him. I found myself lost and unsure of the direction he wanted to go. I thought he could have left the reader with more answers than questions especially since his purpose to was to write to people who were looking to engage with God in a genuine way.

Unfortunately, I would have a hard time recommending this book to people who are searching for faith.

My Rating 2.5/5 Stars

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.