Reviewed by Stephanie S. for Readers' Favorite

In "Radical", David Platt challenges Christians to find satisfaction and real service to God. Where do we find this satisfaction and service? It is found only in total abandonment to Jesus.

I first heard of 'Radical' through some of Multnomah's marketing. I read the Radical booklet and thought, "I would like to read the real book sometime." Well, I got my hands on it through Reader's Favorite, and I don't think I will ever let go of it! It was so good, I am planning on buying a copy for each of my 12 closest friends and will urge my church to study it!

In the first chapter, David tells us what to expect: "We will explore the biblical gospel alongside our cultural assumptions with an aim toward embracing Jesus for who he really is, not for who we have created him to be. We will look at the core truth of a God-centered gospel and see how we have manipulated it into a human-centered (and ultimately dissatisfying) message. We will see a purpose for our lives that transcends the country and culture that we live in, and we will see our desperate need for his presence to fulfill that purpose in us. We will discover that our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in the church, among the lost, and among the poor. We will evaluate where true security and safety are found in this world, and in the end we will determine not to waste our lives on anything but uncompromising, unconditional abandonment to a gracious, loving Savior who invites us to take radical risk and promises us radical reward." (That was long, but please read it! It's a big promise.)

David did everything he promised and more! I was challenged as a Christian in so many ways! Every single thing he said was completely, 100% Biblical truth. Sometimes he would say something, well...radical, and I would think, "Hmm, I'm not sure about this," but give him another page or two and he would address my specific concerns. I loved the fact that he never asserted, "I know it all, so listen to me!" Instead, he said, "I don't know it all, but Jesus does. Let's see what He says."

Some people might read the subtitle, "Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream", and wrongly assume that Mr. Platt is unpatriotic. He isn't, not in the least. As he said on Facebook on July 4, 2010, "Let's live for the gospel to spread to all nations more than we long to be safe, secure, and satisfied in our own nation". David is reminding us that we are Christians first, then Americans.

The last chapter is aptly named, "One Year To A Life Turned Upside Down". This chapter deals with applying the truth communicated in the book in one year. Most books do not show you how to apply what they taught you, so I really appreciated this.

Today, most Christians do not live the radical lives Jesus called them to. They practice a watered-down gospel that they're comfortable with. The real Jesus will knock their socks off, and that's what you're getting in 'Radical'. It might be painful, it might be scary. But ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy. Total abandonment to Him is the only way to experience true satisfaction and to really serve God. David Platt delivers the real deal in 'Radical', and the real deal is much more satisfying than any filler.