For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars—it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."
Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as:
What is God like and how does he speak to me?What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?
With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again."
Author: "Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children."
My Thoughts: I review a lot of books and products. Some I like, some I don't. Every once in awhile I come across a Must Read. This is one of those.
Joshua Harris, a name much loved in homeschooling circles, spends the first couple of chapters sharing a bit about his own spiritual journey. His writing is honest and may color your view of him as the perfect homeschool poster boy of the past. Or the perfect pastor of the present. This is good. I can't relate to perfection. My children can't relate to perfection. Imperfection and a need for making your faith your own, this we can understand.
After sharing his own need for theology in a make-it-real fashion, he spends the majority of the book making-it-real for the rest of us. He covers the basic doctrines in a way that the newest believer can comprehend, and the "more mature" believer can drink in once more. Rather than merely discussing the "Doctrine of Christ", he shares with us the truth of "God with a Bellybutton". Instead of launching into a discourse on "The Redemptive Work of Salvation", he tells the story of "How Jesus Saved Gregg Eugene Harris" (This story alone is worth the price of the book.).
I would recommend this book to all Christians (and anyone curious about what Christians believe). It is easy to read, well written, theologically sound, and just plain interesting. We'll be adding this to our list of High School required reading. I'm sure I'll be recommending it personally to those in my church for awhile to come. As I said at the beginning, this is a Must Read and a new favorite.
If you decide to pick it up, please check back in and let me know what you think! If you decide to incorporate it in your high school program for homeschooling, I'd love to hear how your student enjoys it. I'm also curious to see if it is indeed an easy to understand book for new Christians, so if you are a newer Christian and read this book, leave some feedback in the comment section. I'd appreciate it!
Joshua Harris, a name much loved in homeschooling circles, spends the first couple of chapters sharing a bit about his own spiritual journey. His writing is honest and may color your view of him as the perfect homeschool poster boy of the past. Or the perfect pastor of the present. This is good. I can't relate to perfection. My children can't relate to perfection. Imperfection and a need for making your faith your own, this we can understand.
After sharing his own need for theology in a make-it-real fashion, he spends the majority of the book making-it-real for the rest of us. He covers the basic doctrines in a way that the newest believer can comprehend, and the "more mature" believer can drink in once more. Rather than merely discussing the "Doctrine of Christ", he shares with us the truth of "God with a Bellybutton". Instead of launching into a discourse on "The Redemptive Work of Salvation", he tells the story of "How Jesus Saved Gregg Eugene Harris" (This story alone is worth the price of the book.).
I would recommend this book to all Christians (and anyone curious about what Christians believe). It is easy to read, well written, theologically sound, and just plain interesting. We'll be adding this to our list of High School required reading. I'm sure I'll be recommending it personally to those in my church for awhile to come. As I said at the beginning, this is a Must Read and a new favorite.
If you decide to pick it up, please check back in and let me know what you think! If you decide to incorporate it in your high school program for homeschooling, I'd love to hear how your student enjoys it. I'm also curious to see if it is indeed an easy to understand book for new Christians, so if you are a newer Christian and read this book, leave some feedback in the comment section. I'd appreciate it!
Dug Down Deep is available from WaterBrook Multnomah and your favorite local or online bookstore.
*This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.*
3/52
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3 People Had Something to Say:
Wow. You make me want to buy it RIGHT NOW - it sounds so good! Thanks for the recommendation, Lori.
I really, really like this book, too. I was just about to sign the 52 Books linky and saw you just reviewed it, too. But I love it so much, maybe I will anyway. ;)
I really liked it, MaryEllen. I'll be interested to see what you think of it!
Go for it, Michelle! Who says we can't read the same 52 books in 52 weeks? (Although, if they were all the same...and unplanned that way...that may be a little creepy...lol!)
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