Primal – A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

I wanted to let you know about Mark Batterson’s new book Primal, which was officially released today.   I received an early copy from the publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah, to read and review and I can assure you that this is a book you definitely want to buy.  I am a huge fan of Mark Batterson who is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC.  I was able to attend his church this summer with my family when we were on vacation and we really enjoyed the hospitality that his church showed our family.  Mark has a great blog at Evotional.com, and his previous two books have had an incredible impact on my ministry. In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day was about seizing the God given opportunities in your life while Wild Goose Chase encourages believers to follow the Holy Spirit on a wild adventure.

In Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, Mark breaks new ground by returning to the roots of our faith.  We live in a complicated world, but the answer to many of our problems lies in a return to the simplicity of following the Great Commandment. To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Here is how Mark describes the quest:

The quest for the lost soul of Chrisitianity begins with rediscovering what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength … It’s not enough to love God with just your heart or soul or mind or strength. We are called, even commanded, to love Him in all four ways …

  • The heart of Christianity is primal compassion
  • The soul of Christianity is primal wonder
  • The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity
  • And the strength of Christianity is primal energy

I always read books like this with a highlighter in hand. There are so many great quotes and illustrations to capture and think through.  I may be a little strange, but while reading, I keep coming up with new ideas for sermons and series that I could teach.  There is so much here to meditate on, and I urge you to read it slowly.  Mark is a story teller, and he is able to weave you into the story.  I was challenged in the way that I love God, and I think you will be as well.   I enjoyed his use and application of science and I enjoyed how he wove his life story into the book.  I read through it in two days, and I want to read through it again.  You can buy Primal at Amazon (through my affiliate link), or you can find it at your local Christian bookseller. You can also find out more about the book at the official Primal website.  Let me leave you with this challenge from the book.

Do you love God for what He can do for you? Or do you love Him for who He is? In its purest, most primal form, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is loving God for God. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else … Reformations are born out of rediscovering something ancient, something primal. They are born out of primal truths rediscovered, reimagined, and radically reapplied to our lives.

Mike

I am a former design engineer who now pastors Cornerstone Community Church in Galax, Virginia. I'm passionate about following Jesus and I love technology. I've been married to Jennifer for 28 years, and we have three adult children.

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