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  1. JimF
    Montrose, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Challenging Book
    July 10, 2012
    JimF
    Montrose, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    In Radical Together, David Platt picks right up where he left off in his previous book Radical. The book is easy to read but thought provoking and convicting. Platt calls the church to be the church by moving away from their comfortable and self-centered way of doing church to a gospel centered focus that drives churches to work for and serve others.

    He challenges readers that some of the worst enemies for Christians are the good things in the church. Platt believes that we substitute church activities for kingdom purposes. He encourages all Christ followers to be holding all things before Christ and to consider the kingdom work to which they are called. Christians are challenged to make the best use of time, resources and talents so that God's kingdom might be known.

    Platt challenges the belief that once a person becomes a Christ follower they should sit back and relax in the hope of their faith. Rather Christians should be working together to make a huge difference for the Kingdom. He gives practical examples of how that may happen in the life of the church and the lives of indivdiuals.

    The book is a call for church to equip believers in their churches so that those believers can go out from the church and share the life changing hope of the gospel. Radical Together is an excellent read and a book I plan on reading again soon.

    I received a free copy from Waterbrook Publishing but was not influenced to provide a positive review.
  2. Honey and Locusts
    Cookeville, TN
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Be Unleashed for God!
    April 14, 2011
    Honey and Locusts
    Cookeville, TN
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I'm not sure there's a book I've anticipated more than this one in the last year... and it was well worth the wait! David Platt's first book, Radical, brought into focus the incompatibility of the Christian life with the American dream, and has had a huge impact on Christians – particularly those in my generation. Many readers of that first book have begun to live lives of radical obedience to Christ, devoting themselves to prayer, reading God's Word, and spending their time and resources serving others at home and abroad. Many of these readers' stories are shared in this second book.

    But one person being radical will not ultimately accomplish much. To see real change come in this world requires like-minded Christians to band together in local churches, with each person contributing their talents, resources, and energy to the cause of Christ as part of a unified body. What Radical did for individual Christians, Radical Together aims to do for churches. I believe it will succeed!

    In the first chapter, called "The Tyranny of the Good", Platt urges churches to re-examine the use of their resources, facilities, and time. Most churches, he says, are not investing themselves in worthless, unfruitful, or unbiblical pursuits. Rather, they are held captive by the "tyranny of the good", spending themselves on labors that are good... but not necessarily best for advancing God's Kingdom purposes. Therefore, churches should "put everything on the table", reconsidering before God our ministry strategies, our worship services, our programs, our finances, and our policies, priorities, and procedures. "The gospel compels the church to go to God with everything we have and everything we do and then ask, 'What needs to go? What needs to change? What needs to stay the same?'" (p. 9)

    The goal is to determine how best each church can serve the Lord, but this may require letting go of some very good things. These good things tend to grip churches the same way that the "American Dream" grips individuals, keeping us from serving God with all we have.

    If there was a problem with Radical, it was that many who read it might be tempted to feel guilty that they were not living radically enough, and that they were not adequate to be used for God's purposes. Thankfully, Platt addresses this concern in the second chapter, called "The Gospel Misunderstood". Since everything we do as Christians starts with the gospel, it is imperative that we understand it properly. Platt talks about two types of people who misunderstand the gospel; he calls them Andy and Ashley.

    Andy has professed faith in Christ, believing (correctly) that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. However, because he believes himself already and eternally saved, he sees no need to "do" anything with his faith. His life bears no fruit of faith, and he has no concern for the lost, or for the poor. He is defensive when people start talking about "radical" faith.

    Ashley, on the other hand, never feels as if she has done enough for Christ, and is never sure of her salvation. Reading Radical only made her feel guilty, and trying to live out the gospel is wearing her out. Andy and Ashley are both wrong about the gospel, and they are likely represented in every church in the world. But for both, a right understanding of the gospel will fuel both faith and works, and the worship that is the right response of every Christian to what God has done for us.

    For the Ashleys of the world, Platt assures that "you will never be radical enough... and the beauty of the gospel is that you don't have to" (p.27). The gospel frees us from work, and from the effort to overcome our guilt before God. But "the gospel that saves us from work also saves us to work" (p.28). Through a helpful examination of the different usages in Scripture of terms such as "works", "deeds", and "acts of love", Platt provides a holistic understanding of how faith and works relate, with the simple summation: "Real faith always creates fruit." (p. 29)

    From this point, he continues to show how guilt is an insufficient motivator for long-term Kingdom work, and that the gospel alone is sufficient to sustain and strengthen God's people for accomplishing God's purposes. In order to access this gospel, though, we need to depend entirely on God's revelation of himself. This is the focus of chapter 3, "God Is Saying Something".

    Here he brings the attention of churches and church leaders back to where it always should have been: the Word of God. Contemporary Western Christianity so often believes we "need" programs, flashy music, and dynamic speakers in order to have a "successful" church. Platt challenges these assumptions and encourages us to focus on the things which God has clearly commanded in Scripture, and trust that God will be faithful to bless work that aligns with His plans.

    The two strongest chapters in the book are the fourth and fifth, "The Genius of Wrong" and "Our Unmistakable Task". In the first of these two chapters we read about the great value God places on people. Not only is the gospel itself intended to bring people into relationship with God, but the people of God are to be the means by which the gospel goes forth. Whereas many churches use what Platt calls "manufactured elements" (performances, places, programs, and professionals) to attract nonbelievers, the Bible simply calls for Christians to love God, love one another, and serve those around them. Though it may seem like God is using the "wrong" sort of people (sinners) to accomplish his purposes, it is the "genius" of his plan to save those who believe through the folly of the preaching and ministry of Christians who have not yet been perfected.

    Since this is where the Bible places the emphasis on ministry, why do churches emphasize other things so much? Platt exhorts us to devote ourselves individually and corporately toward loving people and developing disciple-making disciples. "We will never have enough resources, staff, buildings, events, or activities to reach all the people in our community, much less all the peoples in the world. But we will always have enough people. Even if they seem like the wrong people." (p. 75)

    He follows this up with a call for a global evangelistic effort that completely consumes our churches. He says that "our unmistakable task" is to reach every people group in the world with the message of salvation, and that our motivation must be the return of Christ. Scripture says that before the Lord returns, the gospel must reach every people group in the world; therefore the church ought to be motivated for missions because we long for Jesus' second coming! Though some may disagree with this view of Christ's return (and Platt is careful to state that his "definition of unreached people groups may not be exact" and therefore it is possible that Christ could come back at any moment), hopefully everyone can agree – regardless of one's particular system of eschatology – with the statement, "But we do know this: Jesus hasn't come back yet, which means there is still work to be done." (p. 85)

    If there is one thing in this book that readers may take the wrong way, it is Platt's very nuanced stance on local and global missions. While he is emphatic that missions must be both global and local (as opposed to either/or), there will undoubtedly be some who will believe he does not value local missions, thanks to sentences like this one: "I am convinced that Satan, in a sense, is just fine with missional churches in the West spending the overwhelming majority of our time, energy, and money on trying to reach people right around us." (p. 87)

    However, he does do a good job of clarifying statements like that, making a compelling case that global missions actually drive local missions. Platt urges his congregation and his readers to devote 2% of their time – roughly one week per year – to sharing the gospel outside our local context, though one must be aware that many short-term mission projects are little more than glorified vacations that may do more harm than good (see Corbett & Fikkert's When Helping Hurts). Done properly, though, these trips can make all the difference in the life of individuals and of churches, both here and overseas.

    "Successful short-term missions must be a part of fueling a long-term disciple-making process in another context... At the same time, successful short-term missions must also be a part of fueling long-term disciple making in the sending church. As we go together into other contexts, we grow together in Christ. Our eyes are opened and our hearts transformed as we serve in situations that make us uncomfortable." (p. 94)

    The final chapter ("The God Who Exalts God") and the book's conclusion give us our marching orders. Amid a series of vignettes sharing examples of people and churches who have made radical changes are several challenges rooted in the exaltation of God, who does all things for his own glory. Platt casts a vision that he hopes will spread throughout the churches, and I sincerely hope that it will! He gives us plenty of encouragement from Scriptures that promise success in our evangelistic efforts when we are motivated by the pursuit of God's glory among the nations. "For when our faith communities actually believe that God deserves the praise of all peoples, then our humble worship in the church will lead to an urgent witness in the world." (p. 109)

    I highly recommend this book, though I suggest reading (or re-reading!) Radical first. This book is not a sequel per se, but it does build upon things covered in the first book, and in some ways assumes that the reader is familiar with some of the previous material.
  3. Greg
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Platt Does It Again
    August 28, 2012
    Greg
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    David Platt is an author, speaker, and preacher who continually challenges my church paradigm. He did it in his first book, "Radical" and did not disappoint in his follow-up book "Radical Together." I never know for sure if I enjoy reading Platt's books but I know I must read them. I am always convicted, challenged, confirmed, and compelled by Platt's writing. "Radical Together" was no different.

    What is the vision of the church? Are we more concerned with the comforts of our call or the cost of reaching people? As you read Platt, you realize there are very few people who have a greater passion for reaching all people groups in the world. He gives some amazing numbers of the unreached people groups across the world. Believing it is the task of the church to reach all people groups, he challenges the church to be radical in completing this task to usher in the return of Jesus Christ.

    To accomplish this, the church must begin to remember she has been "entrusted by God with stewards of God's Word to equip God's people to be servants with God's Word" (pg 71). The church must regain her focus on equipping people and not just planning events. Platt will argue throughout the book of the importance of a selfless people serving a self-centered God. We must our eyes off of our comfort and put them squarely on the greatness of an all-mighty and all-sufficient God.

    If I were to sum up Platt's ideas I would with two quotes of the many I underlined while reading "Radical Together:" "We want to see God glorified by people everywhere because God wants to see himself glorified by people everywhere" (pg 106). "Radical Together" takes the ideas of "Radical" and asks the question "How can we in the church best unleash the people of God in the Spirit of God with the Word of God for the glory of God in the world?" (3, 125).

    I am always convicted and challenged by Platt. I would highly recommend the reading of "Radical Together." Be ready to be challenged. Be ready to ask yourself in you are more concerned with the comforts of following Christ or are you willing to submit to His Lordship and accept the cost of fowling. As a Christian, are you ready to get busy in getting the Gospel to every people group in the world to help usher in the coming of our Lord? If that is a challenge you are ready to undertake, take a moment to read "Radical Together." It is an easy read yet a challenging read.

    I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
  4. Liam Moran
    Kenosha, WI
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Solid Practical Theology
    September 18, 2011
    Liam Moran
    Kenosha, WI
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Book Review: Radical Together by David Platt

    Radical Together is the recent release by Multnomah Books (2011, 148 pages) which is the follow up to Platt's New York Times best seller Radical.

    Platt holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (A.B.J.) from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has previously served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics, and as Staff Evangelist at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans.

    Introduction

    In his first book, Platt explores how the gospel affects our lives as Christian in terms of practicial living. Given the eternal nature of our calling and charge to reach the lost for Christ, Platt contended that as evangelicals we do not have time to waste pursuing a Christian version of the "American Dream." In essence, discipleship itself is radical in nature.

    In this book, Platt has sought to continue on with that same premise. His intent is clear. He writes:

    In Radical Together, I want to consider what happens--or can happen--when we apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ to our communities of faith. I want to contemplate the force of a people who come together to enjoy God's grace in the church while they extend God's glory in the world. And I want to propose that a movement of such people in such churches has the potential to permeate nations with the praise of God (p. VIII).

    Platt engages his readers with one question in mind, "How can we in the church best unleash the people of God in the Spirit of God with the Word of God for the glory of God in the world?"

    The book has six chapters which are the six driving ideas in the book:

    1. The worst enemy of Christians is good things in the church.

    2. The gospel that saves us from work saves us to work.

    3. Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people.

    4. Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people.

    5. We are living--and longing--for the end of the world.

    6. We are selfless followers of a self-centered God.

    Overview

    Platt points out that when he came to his church, there were a lot of "good programs." He challenged his church though that with the programs they had and with the money that was being spent, was this the best way to allocate the Lord's money? Platt urges his readers and his church to think the beyond the local to the global mission of reaching the lost for Christ.

    Platt's desire is to see the church prioritize her spiritual priorities. Some churches get so caught up in programs that the actual ministry to the flock is superseded by the very program that seeks to minister to them.

    Platt has a desire to get his readers to see their true purpose and calling as believers in Christ. The call to discipleship is radical and many are confused as to how that takes shape in a corporate setting. Throughout the book, Platt offers practical guidelines on how he has seen the Lord move in his church to address the critical ministry issues of the day while offering motivation for others to do the same. He does all this while exhorting believers to have a high view of God while seeking to bring glory to Jesus Christ.

    Conclusion

    Some bloggers have referred to Platt's books as "radical theology." I think this is a misnomer. This book is practical theology. I think that our call to discipleship is radical by nature. I don't think Platt makes it anymore radical than it is.

    Overall, Platt really ddin't say anything new. This book along with his last one is selling so well because it offers a biblically balanced alternative to the "seeker" driven and purpose driven philosophy of ministry and the emergent movement.

    I think readers will find this book an enjoyable and challenging read. It takes a lot of hard work to change the culture of any church. And Platt was able to do this with his church with enormous growth and as a result his church is changing lives all across the globe. I found the insights to have been fresh and practical while at the same time theologically engaging. I believe Platt accomplished what he set out to do in this book. I recommend it.

    Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. Many thanks to them.
  5. Pastor Rob
    VA
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Maximum Gospel Impact
    July 4, 2011
    Pastor Rob
    VA
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Radical Together by David Platt (Multnomah Books, 2011) is a stand-alone sequel to his first book Radical which created tidal waves with the call to each Christian to take back his or her faith from the American Dream. It met with mixed reaction from the Christian world. The sequel, Radical Together, shows how individuals can unite together as God intended them to do in order to create maximum gospel impact. This second book will likely meet the same reception from American Christianity. Those whom are comfortably chasing the American dream while reinventing the gospel to suit their individual situations will likely dislike this book as much as the first. Those whom understand that God's mission is global in scope will welcome this book as a much needed revival wind.

    When I started the book, in all honesty, I did not expect much. Radical was awesome and I expected this to be more of the same information rehashed and repackaged in a new cover with a new target–focused on the group as opposed to the individual. I was wrong. David Platt immediately grabs the reader's attention with his well written, easy to understand style and solid biblical exegesis. Once again he leads the open-minded person to wonder, "How did I miss that simple point in all the times I've read that passage."

    Radical Together focuses more on the church as a group entity and brings to light many of the issues which cause us to stumble over our own feet and inadvertently prevent God's people from accomplishing God's purpose. Platt organizes the book around six of these premises. One of the worst enemies of Christians can be good things in the church. The gospel that saves us from work saves us to work. The Word does the work. Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people. We are living–and longing–for the end of the world. We are selfless followers of a self-centered God.

    Throughout the book, the author takes each principle and expounds it with real life examples, colorful illustrations, and supporting Scripture references. The style is easy to read and understand yet at the same time somber and challenging. Each principle brings the reader face-to-face with a very real decision: Do I agree that the church belongs to Christ and exists for a global purpose? Or, will I continue to assert that the church belongs to us exists to serve me?

    Radical Together is a must read that will challenge every Christian's view of the church body in some form or another. Leaders will be forced to examine the direction they are taking the church body in which God has entrusted to their stewardship. Members will be forced to examine the idols of church life in which they hold dear and determine whether or not they will smash these idols in order to allow the church to focus on God's plan.
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