Book Review: Radical Together, by David Platt
As part of the Blogging for Books program from WaterBrook Multnomah, I received a copy of Radical Together, by David Platt for review.
Although I haven't read Platt's first book in this series, Radical, I appreciate the heart behind Radical Together. As a pastor, I appreciate Platt's firsthand account of what it's like to pursue God with courage in community. That spark of motivation we find individually is best kindled into a fire when we seek to join God's redemptive work in the world together.
I was deeply moved by Platt's account of his church's commitment to orphan care, which demonstrates the tangible love and care of Christ for the hurting in a local setting. Like Dallas Willard, Platt argues that, although it is opposed to earning, the gospel is not opposed to effort -- "the gospel that saves us from work saves us to work." We are called to a life of sacrifice because we've been so greatly loved by God.
A great temptation for many followers of Christ is to equate spiritual maturity with the acquisition of knowledge or doctrine. I deeply resonate with Platt's assertion that those who espouse sound doctrine should embody selfless devotion. If we are truly captured by grace, it will overflow to the world around us.
This book is short enough to be used easily enough in a small group setting. If churches learn to reprioritize and reallocate their budgets to serve the mission of God in the world and call "all the wrong people" to join in God's wrok in the world, then this book will have served a truly radical purpose.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
