Dug Down Deep

From time to time I will be posting a book review on my blog.  I'm excited to be "Blogging for Books."  I just finished my first book, and was challenged to grow in my Christian faith.  I hope you will take time to read the book review.  It just might be the next book you'll want to put on your reading list.

As an added bonus for you the reader, you can potentially win free books by going to the link below and rating my book review.  "Blogging for Books" is setting aside roughly 50-100 free copies of various titles each month to be given to blog readers. Whenever anyone reads and ranks my review, they will automatically be entered to win a free copy of the book that I reviewed. You will be notified by email if you are chosen as a winner. This benefits me as well as I get more points towards getting books to review.

Blogging for Books

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris is a book that concisely outlines the importance of Biblical theology for the Christian's life.  When I started the book I wondered if it would be a difficult read because of his use of words like doctrine, orthodoxy, sanctification, redemption, and justification.  However, Joshua Harris keeps you reading by sharing real life experiences, many of them his own, to illustrate the importance of knowing what you believe.   Although I had to read slowly to truly digest the full message, he captivated my attention throughout the entire book.

The author understands the culture in which we live when he says, "I think many Christians are more interested in chasing a feeling about Jesus than pursuing Jesus himself and reviewing and thinking about the truth of who he is (p. 86)."  He went on to explain why this kind of thinking doesn't work.  He said, "If you want to feel deeply, you have to think deeply...emotion built on emotion is empty.  True emotion--emotion that is reliable and doesn't lead us astray--is always a response to reality, to truth."  Our culture is about what "feels good."  If it feels good, it must be right.  How many of those feelings are not based on truth?

Reading the book challenged me in my Christian life.  Quotes like, "What makes it difficult for us to see the truth about God, I think, isn't his overwhelming immensity but our overwhelming self-centeredness (p. 39)," convicted my heart. The closing chapter "Humble Orthodoxy" had some pointed words as well.  Harris gives warning that we can easily fall into a state of pride over our understanding of Scripture.  He cautions, "Knowledge about God that doesn't translate into exalting him in our words, thoughts, and actions will soon become self-exaltation (p. 226)."

This is the perfect book for the Christian to read that is searching for or needs reminded of the solid foundation beneath his faith.  It will challenge anyone who reads it to grow closer to their Savior.

FTC disclaimer:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.