When I interviewed David Platt last week about his book Radical I mentioned my appreciation for the book, but also alluded to some concerns about it. David and I share the same end goal—that Christians would be biblically generous, would have a heart for the poor, would not build our lives upon possessions and would fear the allure of riches, would seek to reach the unreached with the gospel, etc. Where I differed with him was on some of the means of motivation—both exegetically and existentially. We’ve been able to have a good dialogue about how we would articulate and clarify our perspectives.
In a TGC Review posted this morning, Kevin DeYoung has an excellent review of the book, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
Here’s an excerpt:
Radical is a stirring book that will help many Christians.
But not everything here is helpful. Let me highlight a few concerns I have with the book and with the some elements of the larger “get radical, get crazy Christianity” that is increasingly popular with younger evangelicals. I hesitate to mention these concerns because there is so much in the book I agree with and because David does provide caveats here and there to soften the blow of his rhetoric. But people tend to hear what we are most passionate about, and I’m afraid the take-home message from Radical for many people may reinforce some common misconceptions about what it means to be sold-out for Jesus.
Kevin invited David to respond, and you can read David’s response at the same link. It is a model of humility and grace. Here’s the opening paragraph:
I really like Kevin DeYoung. I am thankful to call him my friend, and I join with a multitude of evangelicals who are increasingly grateful for the grace of God expressed in his keen mind, his sharp wit, his theological acumen, his gentle spirit, and his pastoral wisdom. For this reason, I was thankful to discover that he would be reviewing the book I recently wrote entitled Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream. I was thankful because I knew that even if I did not agree with everything Kevin might write, nonetheless his insight, analysis, and critique would serve readers well in avoiding any potential pitfalls they might encounter in processing or applying what I have written. On a more personal level, I was thankful because I know I have so much to learn as pastor, preacher, writer, and most importantly follower of Christ, and I need brothers like Kevin DeYoung to sharpen me in my own life and ministry.
I thank God for these two brothers. It’s an exchange well worth reading.
