I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone that is currently content with where they are at in their faith journey and want to stay that way. This book is like taking a nice and orderly deck of cards and throwing them as high into the air as you can. As I am slowly but surely making my way through David Platt's 'Radical' and I must say that the book is quite frustrating to read, but in a good way. Platt shares about his journey from a safe Americanized Christianity to something that is much more Christlike. He talks about numerous trips around the globe where he met and encountered fellow believers that clung to and embraced the gospel in a manner that many of us in the West know little about. Platt often highlights specific stories of these people and the amazing work that they are doing in their communities and countries for the sake of Christ. It is impossible to read this book without looking at one's own life and how 'safe' many of us live. The last thing most of us want is to have to sacrifice the comfortable and predictable way that we have become accustomed to living and give that up. However, Platt states that an honest reading of the gospels and Christ's words show us that as believers we are called to be servants who do not find our comforts and joys in the treasures of this world. Instead, just as Philippians 2 states, our attitude (and life) should be like that of Christ Jesus who humbled himself for the sake of others.Again, this book frustrates me as I read it. I sometimes dream of 'selling everything and moving to (insert 3rd world country)' in order to (insert act of service). However, what is someone like me to do when I owe $30,000+ in school loans to the government and need to continue making money to pay off those loans? Books like Platt's are frustrating because I don't know what radical obedience looks like in my life at this point. Sure, I know I am called to be a faithful husband and pastor, but am I really making the most of my time and my life?
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