Kevin DeYoung

This review was also posted here - https://cavetothecross.com/blog/biggest-story/

As Christian parents of young children, we are always trying to incorporate the Gospel presentation to our children as they are our number one outreach audience we want to see come to salvation in Jesus Christ. And with young children, using pictures and stories is a big help in communicating that message. For the most part, young children's Christian literature involves the fun stories without the consequences. We get the small Ark with the giraffes' heads poking out but we don't get the reason for the Flood to have occurred and being tied to God's judgment. We get David facing off against Goliath but after the rock knocks out the giant, we don't see David ending the confrontation with a beheading. The stories of Jesus healing and feeding people and letting the little children come to Him are there but the cross seems to be missing from the stories. We remove death and judgment and the outcomes of sin from the stories to our children and wonder why there's no drive from them to see Jesus as anything other than our friend. Why see Him as a Savior if we're not showing them what He's saving us from - apart from an apple with a bite taken from it?

But then we'll read to our young children stories of swashbuckling pirates, wizards in battle with orcs, monsters being defeated by knights, or hereos of might. Works of fiction we'll communicate the hero's journey, but in the ultimate Hero's journey we remove the conflict and make the brave One feckless and just another hippie lost to an era long ago.

The Biggest Story from the cover offers the hero's journey - "The Snake Crusher Brings Us Back To The Garden" and the cover offers a literal path to follow. Here's a story that recognizes God as a Storyteller and His story being not just the hero winning in the end but offering redemption unable to be realized in a world without the pain and suffering to be redeemed from.

There is judgment, there is death, and there is the Cross - put into their proper context and designed from there the parent to limit or expand upon as needed depending on the age of the child. Yes, there are no lopped-off heads in here but failure by man, judgment, death, and the snake loom around every rock - but so is the God of life and hope and salvation. There is the Cross AND the empty tomb.

The pictures are going to be the big seller of the book and cannot be separated for why this is a good story. The style is that of symbolism and shape and form. There's almost too much on some pages but done so for a purpose. This isn't going to Picasso's cubism as a way of denying reality but in showing the epic nature of the story we exist in and travel in today. The mood is one that feels almost esoteric in weirdness and cosmic in grandeur. Again, one done with a purpose.

The story doesn't conclude at the empty tomb or with Jesus just smiling after coming back to life as we might see in other books. The story continues because we're in the midst of the story. The one drawback is I would have liked to seen maybe one page or a few talking about the role of the church in history and the people who have made it up to continue but the story goes to where the title promised us - "back to the Garden". However, this story shows the grandeur of God's plan even with the Fall and the salvation of HIs people. This is a resource and tool that should be a gift to all parents who have been given the Gift of New Life - Final Grade - A+… (mere)

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S IMPOSSIBLE CHRISTIANITY ABOUT?
On the one hand, the twenty-eight(!) words of the subtitle give a handy summary of what the book is about—but there's still more to say. But it's difficult to summarize outside of that without going on too long. Still, it's worth a shot.

While exploring things like personal wealth, corporate guilt, and the call to individual holiness and sanctification, Kevin DeYoung reminds readers that our goal isn't to change the world, it isn't to achieve a perfection in behavior or ability, nor is it to wallow in our shortcomings and weaknesses. Rather, we are to press on when we stumble, ask God for forgiveness and help; keeping our eyes on our goal, see how far we've come; and rejoice in the work of grace in our lives—knowing that our Father is pleased with us.

There's more to it than that (obviously, he spends eight chapters developing what I just used two sentences to convey). But that's a decent thumbnail sketch.

THE HIGHLIGHTS
In chapter 2, "Who Is It That Overcomes the World?," we get an exploration of some of the more challenging material in 1 John. This treatment of 1 John and assurance is enough to justify picking the book up in the first place (for me, anyway. But I doubt I'll be alone).

Where DeYoung will take these ideas from the epistle to encourage believers, to see signs of their faith and draw assurance from them, too many have taken the same words to use as tests of faith, to spur an attitude of "I must do more to earn God's favor" or "I need to prove my devotion."

While avoiding any kind of "cheap grace" (or whatever people call it today), DeYoung points to John's heart in dealing with "little children" and encouraging their continuation in the faith.

He does something similar in Chapter 7 when reminding us of God's Fatherhood and what the Scriptures tell us about Fatherhood. It's an encouragement to fidelity and activity, not a whip to drive us to it. We're called to virtues, not to-do lists—to reflect a character, not to change the world. The world (or at least things in our immediate vicinity) may be changed as a result, but that's not our goal. Rather (as he argues in Chapter 8 ) is to live a quiet life of faithful discipleship.

I COULD'VE USED A BIT MORE
DeYoung is known for frequently being on the pithy side with his books, and that's certainly the case here. As it is characteristic of him, I don't want to complain about that too much—I knew what I was getting into when I picked this book up.

Still, it felt a bit too brief. I wanted a little more from some of the chapters—a little more explanation, a little more depth, a little fuller idea of what he was trying to convey. It's hard to explain while speaking broadly (and without citations because it's an ARC), but I need 10-20% more of everything.

One thing, in particular, I wanted fleshed out was some criticisms he pointed at Christians who teach that we're constant failures and should feel that weakness. I'd have appreciated less vagueness—direct citations, or at least references in a footnote would've been helpful so I could compare what he was arguing for to what he was arguing against.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE CHRISTIANITY?
I think that's my largest complaint—the book's just a bit too brief. DeYoung was his typical engaging, clear (with the exception listed above), and helpful self in these pages. His illustrations and examples from his own life were amusing and helpful. If nothing else, I enjoyed reading the book.

On top of that criteria (in this type of book, it's the least important), the book was helpful, encouraging, and gracious. Which is what it set out to be, so kudos for that. There was some material that was good to chew on, some healthy reminders of truths easy to forget or neglect, and a few moments to inspire a renewed activity.

Would I have appreciated more? Yes. Do I appreciate what DeYoung delivered? Also, yes. I'm afraid I come across as too critical, so let's be clear—I wanted more of something helpful so it could've been more helpful.

From the smile-inducing opening illustration to the closing paragraphs of benediction (what a great addition to this book)—this was a pleasure to read. I do recommend this book and encourage others to pick it up.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for this post and my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.… (mere)

Just Do Something is a must read book for every believer, bar none.

This is the most beneficial book I have read all year. As some may know, I came out of false teaching (New Apostolic Reformation and Word of Faith movements) in 2019, and though I had already rejected former erroneous ways of approaching God’s will, this book put the truth about God’s will into words well rooted in the Scriptures, and in a way that brought assurance to my heart.

Even more, this is a book I wish I had read when I became a believer over 15 years ago. It would have kept me from a lot of heartache, wasted time, and misunderstanding regarding following God’s will in every day life. This is another book that is definitely going on the resource list!

One thing I would add, that I’ve learned from experience and I believe is wisdom, but the book didn’t seem to mention is this: Avoid making big life-altering decisions under pressure from others or under the influence of strong emotions. I’ve done that in my life at times and looking back I wish I had not moved so hastily based on such things. (Of course this does not apply to some situations such as abusive or dangerous ones where safety should be sought immediately.)

Honestly this is a book that every believer should read and take to heart, especially if you have been under ideas about God’s will as mentioned in the alternative title of this book:

“How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.”

Go buy this book and read it. You will be glad you did.… (mere)