Radical by David Platt

[augiek]

Just finished a insightful book by David Platt called "Radical". He is a young pastor from Birmingham, AL. I think he is very gifted in his writing skills. Anyone else read it?

[augiek]

Just hit the NYT best seller list. Maybe some will take heart and change their thinking on what it really means to be a Jesus follower.

[Manda7182]

Just got done reading it, its a great book that every christian needs to read.

[Diane 1611]

Got it on reserve from my local library. Thanks for the reading suggestion!

[Lynn]

Did the book help you to see that you needed to change some things in your life, or did it seem legalistic, etc.?
Since the first chapter is available online, I read through it, and had some concerns. I think he is mis-applying some of the Scriptures that he uses
for proof-texts, e.g., when he talks about the rich young ruler being commanded by Jesus to sell his possessions. It has always been my understanding
that Jesus was showing the young man that he was covetous, and he hadn't really kept the commandments from his youth up, as he claimed. He was
showing the idolatry in the young man's heart and how he didn't really love God first, but rather his great wealth. This is not to be a 'prototype' command
for all of us to sell our possessions, but to search our hearts to see if in fact we really do love God, and put Him first in our lives.

Just in the first chapter there are many good things that Mr. Platt says, such as the sanctuaries in many churches have expensive, cushy seats, theater lights above the platform, etc.,
costing so much money, and there are people in the world who haven't yet heard the gospel. I couldn't agree more. The priorities of many of the modern churches today are definitely
materialistic and ought not to be. We need to be financially generous, as we are able, to spread the finances that God has given us to worthwhile ministries and missions.
All of us need to re-examine our 'loves' and where we spend our money is certainly a strong indicator. However, I think
only God will directly tell us (through our personal study of His Word) if or when we need to sell everything off and go to distant lands and proclaim the
gospel. Many people do this (our son is one who has) but it was not at the suggestion of a preacher who wrote a book and named it "Radical."
Read this book with discernment, as we should do with anything we read.

[His Bride]

http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?1409...by-David-Platt

This thread was in Books, etc....Hope it helps.

[silvarum]

I've been doing a bunch of research on it -- there reviews on amazon are really helpful: two things to note...

First, Platt uses one-verse theology for many of his points. His exegesis is weak (in the opening pages, Platt wrongly concludes that Jesus tells a man in Luke 9 that he can expect homelessness [after saying that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head]). Living radically, according to Platt's book, seems to be a way to glorify oneself (through asceticism), instead of God.

Second, Platt makes you feel guilty for being wealthy, American or whatever privileges we have here that don't exist in countries like China. This guilt is intended to motivate the reader to do something - it is not the holy guilt of repentance that Paul talks about in Corinthians (forgive me, but I forgot the proof text here).

I think the book is worth a read in order to know what this legalistic neo-orthodox way of thinking is preaching to the kids/colleges/etc.

It is truly unfortunate because, as I see it unfolding, a new generation of pastors and preachers are calling themselves orthodox as far as their beliefs go, but the truth is they are preaching a social, seeker-sensitive gospel (somehow it has become charismatic and fashionable to criticize and censure someone)

Here's my recommendation: if you're going to read Radical, read a passage from the Bible before each opening of the book. Pray that the doctrines of man won't leak into your relationship with Jesus.

[truthwarrior]

A new book has arisen to dwarf Crazy Love. Many people I know are reading this book and studying it in Sunday School Classes and are excited about this book.

I looked on his church website and I did see a few "buzz" words that bothered me like, global, community, unity, etc.. and he also stated in one of his sermon series study guide that Revelation should not be taken as literal. To his credit, alot of his sermons are right on.

So my guess is that he may be in the Dominionist camp?? He is speaking at that Elephant Room conference with Driscoll, Perry Noble, Furtick, and Greg Laurie.

[Leigh]

Funny you started a thread on this book -- I came here specifically looking for information on it too.

I heard it recommended at church today.

[Diane 1611]

There is some discussion about this book here: http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?1409...ht=David+Platt

[trn2him]

I just started a study on the book 'Radical' By David Platt. Has anyone read this book and what is your take on it? I'm finding it very convicting and makes me want to change the way I study the Word. If you have read it, do you think David's thinking is biblical sound?

[Nightelf]

Never heard of him or his bible study method.

Can you explain it for us?

Also, is there anything about the book that raises red flags for you?

[iSong6:3]

RADICAL: TAKING BACK YOUR FAITH FROM THE AMERICAN DREAM BY DAVID PLATT
By AM on Nov 9, 2010 in Current Issues, Features

The following by Dr. Gary Gilley, pastor of Southern View Chapel, is republished at Apprising Ministries with permission:

Written by Gary Gilley

Radical has been a New York Times bestseller and is reminiscent of Francis Chan’s Crazy Love in its call for radical lifestyle changes, especially in material ways, and in spreading a two-tiered gospel of reconciliation with God and caring for the poor. I appreciated Radical more because it is less condemnatory, legalistic and guilt-driven. In addition the true gospel is better explained and emphasized (pp. 30-36; 143-160). In fact Platt clearly remarks, “People’s greatest need in the world is Christ. To meet people’s temporary needs apart from serving their eternal spiritual need misses the point of holistic biblical giving” (p. 195).

I believe the author is on target to call God’s people to examine their materialism and take appropriate biblical steps to prioritize their finances to maximize the spreading of the gospel (pp. 127-128, 194-196). Platt is also correct that Jesus’ “megastrategy” was to make disciples (pp. 90-106); a fancy building, cool music and great entertainment cannot accomplish that task, only the Word can.

The reader also will respect Platt’s vulnerability as he readily admits that he has more questions than answers and is searching for balance. Nevertheless, he is a bundle of contradictions:

• He condemns the American dream throughout the book (pp. 2, 7, 26-26, 48-50, 115, 119) and then concludes with an admission that every facet of the American dream is not negative (p. 214).

• He elevates, and gives examples of, people giving away all their wealth to the poor (pp. 13-17), then calls for simply placing a cap on our lifestyle so we can give more (pp. 127-128, 194-196).

• He complains of rich American churches as he pastors one of the richest in the country (pp. 15-19).

• He touts the story of a couple randomly giving away their possessions (p. 131) and then calls for informed giving so that our efforts are not wasted by giving to those who will misuse it (pp. 195-196).

Of greater concern is Platt’s propagation of a two-tiered gospel composed of the true gospel of redemption and the social gospel. Actually the social gospel of feeding the hungry and giving to the poor is the primary focus of the book and accounts for its popularity (pp. 13-17, 19-21, 76-82, 108-140). He writes, “As we meet needs on earth, we are proclaiming a gospel that transforms lives for eternity” (p. 135). The author does not advocate the social agenda as opposed to true evangelism, as mentioned above, but he does say that caring for the poor is evidence of salvation (pp.110). As a matter of fact “rich people who neglect the poor are not the people of God” (p. 115).

However, when we turn to the New Testament, we find that, while Christians are to be loving and generous to all people, they are never told to attempt to remedy the consequences of the sin of unbelieving humanity through social action. Instead they are instructed to meet the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ, something Platt admits in a footnote (p. 225). In fact, the church is never commissioned to rectify injustices by dealing with the symptoms of sins but to “radically” uproot sin itself through the gospel. Conservative Christianity has always given careful attention to social needs. Wherever the gospel has gone hospitals have been built, orphanages established, the hungry fed, the uneducated taught, and the desperate helped. However, today evangelism is losing its way in the maze of the social agenda as more and more time and resources are being poured into alleviating physical suffering rather than uprooting the cause through the gospel.

How does Platt support his social agenda biblically? Largely through the misunderstanding of two passages in the Gospels. He contorts of the story of Lazarus and the rich man into a condemnation of the rich man because he lacks generosity (p. 114). Pushed to its logical conclusion this would mean he was judged and sent to hell because he was stingy, not because he was a sinner. Then of course there is Platt’s interpretation of the story of the Rich Young Ruler, a favorite of those who support his position (pp.13, 116-124). What Platt and others miss is that the Ruler was not a believer being challenged to radical discipleship. Jesus is speaking in the context of salvation and what the Ruler lacks for eternal life. The Ruler’s problem was not his wealth as such, but that he had chosen to worship his wealth rather than God. Neither passage of Scripture supports Platt’s point.

In balance, Radical offers a needed assessment concerning materialism and discipleship and that has value. However, as the title itself implies, this is not a book that handles balance well. As the author admits, it raises more questions than answers. And due to its over emphasis and confusion concerning the social gospel, I can recommend it only with caution. http://apprising.org/2010/11/09/radi...y-david-platt/ (emphasis added above mine)

[augiek]

I just flew with a guy from Brook Hills church and he said that the church is a true Philadelphian church. It is very missions minded and David leads by example. Yes the book asks questions, but there is nothing wrong with that if you know where to look for the answers. I would love to go to "secret church" but the member said the tickets go fast.

[truthwarrior]

I just flew with a guy from Brook Hills church and he said that the church is a true Philadelphian church. It is very missions minded and David leads by example. Yes the book asks questions, but there is nothing wrong with that if you know where to look for the answers. I would love to go to "secret church" but the member said the tickets go fast.

I would have to say, though, if its a true Philadelphia church- why do you need a ticket to get in?

[augiek]

only so many seats, tickets are for the study guide cost.
http://www.brookhills.org/secretchurch/schedule.html

[augiek]

here's a taste!
http://www.brookhills.org/secretchurch/media/

[ibelieve4evr]

In the middle of book Radical and believe its sound so far. Just attended Secret Church last Friday night and recommend that if you have a chance you should attend.

[augiek]

I just finished reading "Radical Together" during my trip to India and it was a great follow up to the book "Radical". David Platt really puts in on the table from the Word. Highly recommended!!!!

[augiek]

David Platt's follow on book "Radical Together" is a great read as well!