#BOOK REVIEW #DONT HOLD BACK BY DAVID PLATT #PUBLISHER: MULTNOMAH #CHRISTIANITY & CULTURE #CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Pastor David Platt, the New York Times bestselling author of Radical, in his latest book, Don't Hold Back encourages us to repent and follow Jesus's steps even when the Churches that we call family are sick in America where we are part of it.

Some key takeaways I could find from this book are: 

We are quick to accuse, belittle, cancel, and not trust each other as we get tangled in a cultural climate we forget that it leads us not to enjoy one another's fellowship at the table, not to encourage one another and not to love one another in word and deed. Therefore many are leaving the table as many sisters and brothers (many of us) get divided and hurt by one another. Jesus should be the reason to bring us unity as he brings together a group of different personalities in the church. In the Bible, like how the disciples of Jesus such as Mathew - a wealthy tax collector, and Jesus called Simeon - an occasionally militant anti-government movement put up with one another and lay down their lives for one another. It wasn't easy as they were extreme personalities even then they did what Jesus wanted for them - unity and this kind of togetherness. (See John 17:20-26).

Another example is Paul, an ethnic jew and by his own admission a Pharisee of Pharisees, who spent his life loving and sacrificing for people he once abhorred.  Jesus prayed for unity and the message of the gospel spread throughout the world. Love one another, actively listen and seek to understand one another, James(14:1-3) instead of attacking and tearing down, Be sincere, humble, and honest with one another. 

The author reminds us that God created all people wonderfully and equally in his image as one human race. As we do in contemporary culture bible never defines different races according to skin tone, hair texture, or physical traits, Read Galatians 3:28. Instead Paul taught us we are united in Christ and that no one is more valuable than another. David Platt reminds us what scripture teaches us our hearts include pride, prejudice, and partiality - the sins that are root causes of racism. And American Christians are not exempted from this as the disparity continues. 

The author convicts his readers to repent and memorize God's word when our thoughts offend the bible on money, materialism, marriage, mission, or any other issue. Instead of perversely misapplying the word of life and using it to injure, oppress, and exploit, the author calls to show kindness, compassion, and friendship to those who are like us.

The author defines biblical justice and Injustice with some practical steps, Read (Deuteronomy  16:19), (Jeremiah 22:3) (and Deuteronomy 32:4). It is the true gospel the good news of Jesus that would shine as our only hope for ultimate justice. Spread the gospel in other countries, and train the next generation to accomplish the Great Commission in the bible.

I just reviewed DONT HOLD BACK BY DAVID PLATT, Thanks to Netgalley and Multnomah for an advance copy for my honest review.

                                             DON'T HOLD BACK BY DAVID PLATT 

                                 Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully

                                               Publisher ‏ : ‎ Multnomah

•                                          Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 28, 2023
•                                                     Language ‏ : ‎ English
•                                                            Pages:190
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HASHTAG #DONT HOLD BACK BY DAVID PLATT #PUBLISHER: MULTNOMAH #CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ISSUES #NETGALLEY

BOOK COVER- The New York Times bestselling author of Radical challenges Christians to break free from an American gospel that prostitutes Jesus for comfort, power, prosperity, and politics—and fully pursue the true gospel that exalts Jesus above all.

Pastor David Platt believes we’ve gotten really good at following a really bad gospel—one that worships American ideas over biblical truth. It’s time for disillusioned, discouraged, and divided Christians, and the next generation, to follow Jesus into a different future.
 
But we have to make a choice: an American gospel or the biblical gospel. Worldly division or otherworldly unity. Compromise with the idols of our country or commitment to God’s call in our lives. In Don’t Hold Back, Platt encourages followers of Jesus to take necessary risks and find unimaginable reward as we:

• Work for—not against—each other, especially when we disagree 
• Turn the tide on centuries of racial division in the church
• Trust all of God’s Word with conviction while loving everyone around us with compassion
• Do justice with kindness, and experience the good life according to God
• Play our part in spreading the gospel to all the nations of the world

We can experience the full wonder of Jesus and the transcendent beauty of his church here and now. But in order to do so, some things need to be different. Starting not in “those people,” but in each one of us. With the gospel in our hearts and God as our prize, let’s press on and don’t hold back.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Multnomah 
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 28, 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English