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Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. He is also the author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase. Primal, Batterson’s latest effort will be available in stores December 22, 2009. I received a copy early because I volunteered to review the book on my blog. So here goes. Mentioning Mark will be in reference to the author, Mark Batterson.
Primal is a book about the basic of basics. Jesus boiled our whole existence down to one simple statement, “Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” Mark 12:30. Primal spends its pages reminding us of what this is all about. Mark doesn’t spend a lot of time patting himself on the back or pushing and ideal. He is focusing on a truth Christ gave us so many years ago. Like an archeologist Mark removes the clutter and junk we’ve piled on that truth over the years to reveal this glistening, simple call our Savior placed upon us.
Mark is well read, well traveled and well researched. This makes the book move seamlessly from story to story. He also does a great job engulfing you into a story then pulling you back up out of it to see the whole pictures. I think it allows all of us to hear what we need to hear regardless of how we learn.
Mark doesn’t hold back in this book. He says a lot of things religious people don’t want to hear. “I have a theory: most church problems don’t come from an abundance of sin, but rather from a lack of vision.” Wow. I love this statement, we can’t make excuses for lack of vision like we can for the presence of sin in our lives.
The biggest recurring theme that makes me smile is this, DO SOMETHING. Throughout each chapter Mark doesn’t let you rest on a thought, he pushes to a place where we must do something. A God idea is useless unless you do something about it. You can’t love God with all your strength if you never leave your office. To truly love God with all your heart your heart must break for the things that break the heart of God, and you have to do something about it. (Above are paraphrased quotes)
I do have to mention one editing error on page 163, these normally drive me nuts – but it was the only one I found so it wasn’t a big deal.
Primal is the best book Mark has written thus far (although he hinted at the topic of his 4th book and I can’t wait for it). Primal feels more passionate. The topic God picked for him is well suited and well times. We are at a height of nice sounding and good looking church. Primal calls for us to shut up and get messy for God. Hallelujah.
If you are looking for a book to read on January 1, make it Primal. You will not be disappointed.
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I also got an advanced copy and enjoyed and was challenged by the book. My review is here: http://peacebringer7.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/book-review-primal-a-quest-for-the-lost-soul-of-christianity-by-mark-batterson/
One thing I am doing in terms of checking out other reviews is asking the question: How were you personally impacted by the book. What has God been doing in your life as a result. Your review hints at some levels it goes along with what God is showing you but really doesn’t go into full detail.
Comment by peacebringer December 21, 2009 @ 11:24 pmBatterson continues through the book to describe what it means to really love God. From having heart-felt compassion-”compassion is the ultimate apologetic”- to love of nature. This resonated with me, I myself love the outdoors. And he equated that to loving God with your soul- by loving what he made and what he too valued.
Overall, a must read for anyone who is thinking, “I want more of God.”
Comment by Belgie December 26, 2011 @ 3:22 am[...] This will no doubt be another Batterson book that I read more than once (i.e. Primal). [...]
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