Every once in a while I come across a book that really grabs my attention. A friend of mine, actually, my Bible Study Leader, recommended Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt (Multnomah, 2010). The title intrigued me because, on occasion, I listen to folks that struggle with their two citizenships: The USA and The Kingdom of Jesus.
Dr. David Platt’s book is a straightforward, hard-hitting, sort of in-your-face (or should I say “in- your-faith”) kind of book. I really enjoyed it and I was challenged along the way. I have just a few pages left to finish the book but I wanted to blog about it and encourage you to read it. Platt questions everything you have ever believed by confronting you with the teachings and claims of Jesus. You may not agree with everything he says but that’s ok; you can take it up with Jesus. So, I plan to muse through a few things that stood out to me as I reflect over the next few blogs. And yes, I highly recommend this book for those serious about following Jesus.
Dr. Platt raises the issue of being desperate for God’s power and depending on God alone (p.48). He raises a question that I have applied to my work at Buckner: “What would we expect God to do through Buckner that only God can do to bring glory to himself?” You can apply the same question to your life or to your ministry.
When I was serving as a pastor in El Paso with limited resources Dr. Platt’s question was my reality because I had very little equipment, technology, staff, etc. I really did depend and expect God to do things through our core group as we planted a church in East El Paso. The Redeemer did show up and do some amazing things that could only be attributed to him. The same thing happened at Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio. Over and over we prayed, we asked, and we expected God to provide for the needs of this school. We worked as though it all depended on us and we prayed as though it all depended on God. The Lord took our best efforts and multiplied the blessing into provision for BUA at just the right time, time and time again. We literally lived by faith and looked for the next miracle God was going to do. And he did!
Dr. Platt points out that George Muller’s purpose was not to start an orphanage to serve children but to glorify God (p.54-55). God does things in the world to bring himself glory. So what would we expect God to do through Buckner that only God can do to bring glory to himself?
I would expect God to open up unprecedented opportunities for Buckner to serve over a million children, orphans, families, and elders. I would expect God to introduce us to new friends and donors with abundant resources that want to make life better for the poorest of the poor. I would expect the Redeemer to bring the best and the brightest talent our way to build our capacity to become a global presence for the Kingdom in some of the most desperate places in the world. I would expect the Lord to generate new ideas, creativity, innovation, and energy through our staff. I would expect the Lord to develop new avenues for creative collaboration with like-minded institutions, organizations, individuals, churches, and agencies to do more for the Kingdom than we could do by ourselves. I would expect the Lord to transform Buckner into a global ministry with cross-cultural excellence for the global village. None of this is possible unless God intervenes in our lives and ministry to bring glory to himself.
Awesome book, very challenging and eye opener. He is on my podcast list. "Crazy Love" and "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan are also powerful books to read. Blessings
Posted by: Tim Ramos | March 24, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Alan, it is food for thought. Some folks make take issue with some of Platt's positions and that is expected. However, Platt does a good job of putting the teachings of Jesus in front of us to thoughtfully consider.
Posted by: Albert Reyes | March 24, 2011 at 11:03 AM
I have been interested in reading this book since I read a new story somewhere about it last month and I also read a quasi-review of it on Wade Burleson's blog as well. He wasn't as positive about it as most have been, but it certainly intrigues me. I'm looking forward to picking it up!
Posted by: Alan Paul | March 24, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Robert, those days at BUA were amazing. I long for the Lord to show up again and do only what he can do. It is the only way to live.
Posted by: Albert Reyes | March 23, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Benji, so glad you read the book. Platt's words are tough but true.
Posted by: Albert Reyes | March 23, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Julio, so glad you read this book. It is a life changer. It would be a great study book and a great way to disciple others into the Jesus way.
Posted by: Albert Reyes | March 23, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Good point. I believe that asking the question of what we can expect God to do that only he can do is and should be at the forefront of any ministry if ministry is what we are actually trying to do.
Remembering our days back at BUA I remember witnessing what can happen when people live expecting for what God can do. When you took leadership I saw our school transformed in a matter of months. The physical facilities were still the same but the spiritual aspect was completely different. This in turn began changing our BUA culture. I have carried on that lesson in to what I do in college ministry.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Robert Rueda | March 23, 2011 at 02:00 PM
Albert,
I was blown out of the water with this book. So much so that I challenged the men of our church to study it with me (I'm currently meeting with four men who took up the challenge). I agree with you that this is a book that most (should I say "all"?) Americans who claim to be Christians should read. Platt's sometimes scathing words bring a reminder that God's way is the best way for the church, even when it isn't the American way.
Blessings,
Benjie
Posted by: Benjamin Potter | March 23, 2011 at 10:13 AM
By the way, as we ponder on how religious leaders may be captives of the culture or transformational agents, I found a USA Today article interesting. "America's churches can help change the world" is a call from a secular newspaper to us to rise up to the challenge. I wonder if we will heed the call. Read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2011-03-14-column14_ST_N.htm
Posted by: Julio Guarneri | March 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I read "Radical" a couple of months ago and it really resonated with me. It's like it reminded me of things that I already knew and believed but that sometimes get forgotten. It's easy to conform to the world's standards of success for the church and ministry, and even our own discipleship. We have to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The book is helpful in reminding us about the uniqueness of Christ's claims, his requirements of followers and kingdom values. I am reading it for the third time now as I discuss it with staff and people I am discipling.
I am both encouraged and challenged by it.
Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Julio Guarneri | March 23, 2011 at 09:50 AM