Radical by David Platt

Radical by David Platt
Pages: 240
Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah
Age Group: Adult
Source: Reader's Favorite
ISBN: 9781601422217
Overall: 5 stars
Non-Fiction - Christian Living

In Radical, David Platt challenges Christians to find satisfaction and real service to God. Where do we find this satisfaction and service? Only in total abandonment to Jesus.

Product Description:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?

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 Review:

     I first heard of Radical through some of Multnomah's marketing. I read the Radical booklet and thought, "I would like to read the real book sometime." Well, I got my hands on it through Reader's Favorite, and I don't think I will ever let go of it! It was so good, I am planning on buying a copy for each of my 12 closest friends and will urge my church to study it!

     In the first chapter, David tells us what to expect in Radical: "We will together explore the biblical gospel alongside our cultural assumptions with an aim toward embracing Jesus for who he really is, not for who we have created him to be. We will look at the core truth of a God-centered gospel and see how we have manipulated it into a human-centered (and ultimately dissatisfying) message. We will see a purpose for our lives that transcends the country and culture that we live in, and we will see our desperate need for his presence to fulfill that purpose in us. We will discover that our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in the church, among the lost, and among the poor. We will evaluate where true security and safety are found in this world, and in the end we will determine not to waste our lives on anything but uncompromising, unconditional abandonment to a gracious, loving Savior who invites us to take radical risk and promises us radical reward." (Yes, that was long, but please read it!)

     David did everything he promised and more! I was challenged as a Christian so many ways! Every single thing he said was completely, 100% Biblical truth. Sometimes he would say something, well...radical, and I would think, "Hmm, I'm not sure about this," but give him  another page or two and he would address my specific concerns. I loved that he never asserted, "I know it all, so listen to me!" Instead, he said, "I don't know it all, but Jesus does. Let's see what He says."

     Some people might read the subtitle, "Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream," and wrongly assume that Mr. Platt is unpatriotic. He isn't, not in the least. As he said on Facebook on July 4, 2010, "Let's live for the gospel to spread to all nations more than we long to be safe, secure, & satisfied in our own nation." David is reminding us that we are Christians first, then Americans.

     The last chapter is aptly named, "One Year To A Life Turned Upside Down." This chapter deals with applying the  truth communicated in the book in one year. Most books do  not show you how to apply what they taught you, so I really appreciated this.

     Today, most Christians do not live the radical lives Jesus called them to. They practice a watered-down gospel that they're comfortable with. The real Jesus will knock their socks off, and that's what you're getting in Radical. It might be painful, it might be scary. But ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy. Total abandonment to Him is the only way to experience true satisfaction and to really serve God. David Platt delivers the real deal in Radical, and the real deal is much more satisfying than any filler.

  I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book! A MUST-READ for every Christian!


But don't just take my word for it! I want you to buy this book SO MUCH, I am providing you with links to Radical reviews by trusted Christian book reviewers who also gave Radical a thumbs up!

Review by Christian Book Notes

Review by Discerning Reader

Visit the Radical website!

And for those who have read it, what did you think?

Stephanie
Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com