PRIMAL A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity_Book Review
Posted by Ryan Geiger on December 16, 2009 · 2 Comments
Getting a chance to write a review for Mark Batterson’s new book Primal was exciting for me because his first two books, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase have been two books that have helped reshape my philosophy on life and to some degree my trajectory of focus. Primal is no exception. Mark is a very talented and gifted writer who is able to articulate intense depth at a practical level.
He writes in the cover, “Is there a place in your past where you met God and God met you? A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God? Maybe it was a sermon that became more than a sermon. Maybe it was a mission tip or retreat. Maybe it was a vow you made at an altar. In that moment, God birthed something supernatural in your spirit. You knew you’d never be the same again. My prayer is that this book would take you back to that burning bush-and reignite a primal faith.”
“A place where your heart broke for the things that break the heart of God?” Sometimes you get so busy in the craziness of life that you don’t stop to think about that statement, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we would rather not be hassled with those things, those things can be taken care of by somebody else.
Mark breaks down Christianity to four things: compassion, wonder, curiosity and power. Mark says, “Faith is not faith until it is acted upon” and this book is challenging me to look at those four areas in my life and ask myself am I acting upon them. Does my heart break for the things that break the heart of God? Do I remember what it was like in the beginning before I learned about religion, back when it was about a relationship?
Whether you’ve been a Christ follower for years or just starting out in your journey this book is a book that will challenge you to think outside the box, feel outside the box and act outside the box. I highly recommend it to anybody out there and would strongly recommend that Primal be the first book you read in the New Year.
Thank you to waterbrookmultnomah.com for providing me with a free copy of this book and a chance to review a life changing book for so many.
To purchase the book yourself you may go to RandomHouse.com
Great thoughts. I love Mark and his passion for the Church. I think this book will help many get back to what’s important.
Thanks Greg. You can tell that God has His hand all over Mark and to be where he is strategically located is no mistake either. He’s helping many redefine church and their lives.