Radical Author: David Platt
If you were going to read only one book this year I would hope it would be this one. That’s how important this book is. It is subtitled “Taking back your faith from the American dream.” I, like most Christians, was really not aware of how much the American dream had seduced me. Quote from the cover, “David Platt challenges Christians to wake up, trade in false values rooted in the American dream, and embrace the notion that each of us is blessed by God for a global purpose. . .This is a must read for every believer!” David Platt is the pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, a four thousand member congregation in Birmingham, Alabama.
David begins the book with a short exposition of his initial desire to build a mega church. He spent a lot of time thinking about how to do that. Then it dawned on him that he serves One who, as the greatest example of ministry, really only had a congregation of 12 men. While Jesus spoke to the multitudes, he did not attempt to build a mega church. In fact, He seemed to discourage people from following him. “He focused instead on the few who believed Him when He said radical things. And through their radical obedience, He turned the course of history in a new direction. David soon realized he was on a collision course with an American church culture where success is defined by bigger crowds.
David Platt ended up with two radical questions that we might all ask ourselves: “Was I going to believe Jesus?” and “Was I going to obey Jesus?” Now David challenges us to consider how Jesus said His followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would look like, and what our lives would be like if we did that. They left behind security, money, convenience, and even family for Him. The first chapter is titled, “Someone worth losing everything for.”
This is not a book you will end up saying, “I could not put it down.” You will probably put it down many times as you reflect on the radical nature of the book. I believe, though, that this book is exactly what the church needs to awaken it from its slumber, and then become concerned about the spiritually lost and the physically impoverished people of the world. Then we will find ourselves putting aside the temporary things and focusing on eternal things. Like treasures in heaven!
