I said in my last post that I wanted to blog about the last two books that I just finished reading but I think I've changed my mind. Of course much can be said about them because they were good books and I highly recommend them both. However I'm much too anxious to talk about something else. You see, I picked up this little book titled Radical by David Platt. My husband received it at one of the conferences he attended a couple of months ago and he himself just finished reading it. He had suggested I read it so I thought "ok, let's see what this all about". I got to page 3 and read this sentence..."I am convinced that we as Christ followers in AMERICAN churches have embraced values and ideas that are not only UNBIBLICAL but that actually CONTRADICT the gospel we claim to believe. And I am convinced we have a choice." You know what? I think I'm in for something here. I think my world is about to be rocked.
Platt talks about how in Mark 10 a young man asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus told him "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." What? Follow me? What does that mean? Sell everything and give to the poor? EVERYTHING? What about this thing called the American Dream? I thought I was supposed to strive for a comfortable, successful life? So what is wrong with that? Ok, that's alot of questions. I don't have all of the answers yet but I can't wait to continue reading. I've only gotten through the first chapter! Already I'm questioning our lifestyles as Christians with our oversized homes and closets and storage areas FILLED with stuff, our expensive vehicles, our entertainment expenditures, and the list can go on. And what of our mega-churches? Platt talks about that too in this first chapter. We build ridiculously expensive buildings and fund numerous "programs" but how does the amount we spend on those things compare to what we give to spreading the gospel and helping the poor?
I'm beginning to think we as Christians have missed the mark. In a terrible, greedy, materialistic, selfish way. That's harsh I know, but isn't it the truth? We have so much and yet we give so little. The only treasure that will last is what we store in heaven. Everything else will perish.
I think I'm on a journey....
Tara that is so true! Isn't it amazing that when are eyes are truly opened what a difference it makes in how we view how we are all living. I wish more people could understand that what we store up here on this earth means nothing. It is the treasure that we store up in heaven that mean everything! I think I am going to have to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI've read this book and I like David Platt, and agree with his theology, and even though I agree with most of the book I think you have to be careful when reading it. If you aren't you will be guilted into thinking you don't "do" enough for Christ. When we start taking his "radical" view and applying it to our lives we will be guilted into "unless I sell everything and go live in a cardboard box in a third world country and do nothing but feed the poor",
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing enough. The problem is, if we constantly feel guilty because we aren't doin enough, we don't understand the gospel! Even if we do everything Platt tells us to do, it's not enough, because we CAN'T do enough.
Don't misunderstand me and think I'm saying eat, drink, and be merry, but what I am saying is that it makes men who love their wives and children, support them and devote their lives to the study of God's Word, it makes them think, "I'm not living a radical life for God!". Says who? That is exactly what Gods Word calls all of us to do. Is a stay at home mom, who devotes herself to loving her husband and raising godly children ,not radical enough?
Gotta go. I'll finish later. Love you Tara.
I think a few people have had a similar concern to yours Zack one of whom was Kevin DeYoung who wrote a review for The Gospel Coalition. The great thing about the review is he allowed David Platt to respond and he speaks to this issue and others that Kevin raised here at this link.
ReplyDeletehttp://tgcreviews.com/reviews/radical-taking-back-your-faith-from-the-american-dream/
Ok, so I finally have a chance to sit down and comment back and actually I haven't even read this link from Cory yet but I'm going to when I can. I get what you are saying Zack about the fact that there is never enough that we can DO for God. Like I said I've just started the book but I really think Platt is onto something. Don't you think most of us rationalize our extravagant lifestyles as "oh God has blessed me that's all". Actually now that I think on it many spend money they don't even have and go into debt but that's a whole different subject I guess. Don't you think it's true that "To whom much is given, much is required?" I agree that the Christian life isn't about "doing" but aren't there certain things we are commanded to "do"? Just some thoughts.
ReplyDelete