Book Review: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

I chose to read this book because I wanted to take advantage of the publisher's Blogging for Books program and it seemed to be the most promising title available.  I wasn't expecting much besides a free book and an opportunity to blog about it.  Little did I know that the truths within would set my mind reeling and my heart yearning to live out my beliefs in a radical way.


From a literary stand point, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream is well-written and well-documented and at the same time personal and passionate.  I appreciate the organization and the fact that the author provides endnotes for scripture and other references throughout the book.  David Platt thoughtfully guides us to see how we've allowed the American Dream to reshape our view of Christianity and then lays before us a bold challenge to rediscover and embrace the Biblical expectations that God has for us. 


Surprisingly, this book contains no breakthrough ideas or new-fangled interpretations.  Each point that is made is one that well-read Christians will have encountered before in the Bible.  What makes Radical unique and powerful is not that David Platt has anything new to say, but rather that he is actually saying it.  His straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to sharing the very basic truths of the gospel force us to examine exactly what we believe and how those beliefs shape our lifestyle.  


Platt debunks common Christian cliches ("God hates the sin, loves the sinner" - nope), challenges our sincerity (are we worshiping the Jesus of the Bible or ourselves?), and makes convicting comparisons (slavery of yesterday to present-day materialism).  He also reminds us of the simplicity of our purpose: to make disciples of all nations; to "plainly, humbly, and quietly focus our lives on people," and suggests practical ways in which to live out this purpose.


Perhaps what caused me to appreciate this book the most is the fact that the author and his church are daily walking the talk.  After learning that God expects his people to care for orphans, Platt's church took it upon themselves to make sure every child in their county had a loving home.  They contacted the appropriate agencies and found that there were 150 kids on the foster care waiting list.  In response, 160 families from The Church at Brook Hills adjusted their lifestyles and welcomed children into their homes through foster care or adoption.





Radical is a quick read, but not necessarily an easy one.  If your heart is at all open to God, you will be challenged and inspired to action.  I highly recommend it and would love to discuss it with you, so please...read on!


Disclosure:  I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group's Blogging for Books program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.