Primal

My most recent book from Waterbrook Multnomah is Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity by Mark Batterson.  It has taken me a long time to get through this book.  Mainly because it wasn't what I expected, and the introduction put me off a little bit.  While I can't explain why, I have a negative connotation of the word "primal", and I struggled with that through the introduction. 

Yet, because I agreed to review this book, I have forged on through.  And I am very thankful that I did.  This is a book that really caused me to stand back and think.  Really examine myself and my spiritual walk with God.  Batterson's book has caused me to want to give more, to feel more, to spend more time in silent wonder with God.

He has a knack for explaining the basic precepts of Christianity clearly and then peeling back the layers of religiousity and ritual that we have somehow added to make ourselves "better".  When it's all flayed open, Batterson has brought us back to the heart of the matter.  What we think we are doing well as Christians, may not be what God intended for us to be doing at all. 

Batterson has broken the book into four parts:  The Heart of Christianity, the Soul of Christianity, The Mind of Christianity and The Strength of Christianity, based off of Jesus' commandment in Mark 12:30.  He also includes Discussion Questions at the end.  He uses real world examples and experiences to explain each of his ideas and convictions about what primal Christianity should look like. 

Batterson's book is convicting, inspiring and informative. I recommend this book to anyone.  But especially to those who feel like their faith is failing them or to those who really can't figure out what is so great about Christianity in the first place.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Comments

  1. TangledLouMarch 15, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    This sounds like a very interesting read. I am especially interested in the notion of "peeling back the layers of religiosity and ritual". Thanks for this review!

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    Replies
    1. NicoleMarch 20, 2012 at 7:03 PM

      You are welcome. I rarely get thank you's for my reviews. This was such a hard one to get done! I am re-reading now to get a better sense of how good it is, so I will keep you posted.

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