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Customer Reviews for Multnomah Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Multnomah Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
What would your faith look like if it were stripped down to the simplest elements possible? Storyteller and pastor Batterson explores the four foundational principles of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and power (strength)---and supplies a new reformation beginning for your generation, your church, and your life! 208 pages, softcover from Multnomah.
Average Customer Rating:
(86 Reviews) 86
Rating Snapshot (86 reviews)
5 stars
60
4 stars
22
3 stars
2
2 stars
2
1 star
0
14 out of 1688%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Review 1 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Outstanding!
Date:October 26, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book has depth while written in a style and challenges the reader to return to Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength!
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Review 2 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Good book for Christians
Date:April 30, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Are you living your Christian life to the fullest? How much do you love God? How much wonder do you have for our Creator, Lord and King? How much love do you have for those around you? How much love do you have for God, for that matter?
In this book, Mark challenges Christians to examine their life...and to change it drastically for the glory of God!
Although there were moments in the book which made me cringe (such as weak descriptions of God's humor, and references to God thinking His children are funny....), the book is worth the read! A refreshing point about this book is that the author writes with much knowledge. I recommend this book!
Lastly, I enjoyed the format of this paperback book, as well as the cover design and inside printing font.
I received this book free to review...I was encouraged to express my entire opinion.
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Review 3 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
4 Elements of Our Souls
Date:April 27, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
My first impression of this small book was surprise. I expected a large volume to review regarding "A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" as I read Primal, the latest book by Mark Batterson.
What would your faith look like if it were stripped down to the simplest elements possible? Storyteller and pastor Mark Batterson explores the four foundational principles of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and power (strength)---and supplies a new reformation beginning for your generation, your church, and your life!
Mark begins his story within the catacombs of ancient Rome while he and his wife were on vacation. The following can quickly sum up what is the primal essence of Christianity:
"As I tried to absorb the significance of where I was, I couldn't help but wonder if our generation has conveniently forgotten how inconvenient it can be to follow in the footsteps of Christ. I couldn't help but wonder if we have diluted the truths of Christianity and settled for superficialities. I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced."
The four foundational principles are easily outlined and the heart, the soul, the mind and the strength are each defined with stories and scriptures.
One of my favorite remarks in this book is, "We don't see the world as it is; we see the world as we are. So wonder, or the lack thereof, simply reveals what is in our souls. If our souls are full of wonder, then life is wonderful. Why? Because you see with your soul. And when you see with your soul, everything becomes a reflection of the glory of God."
If you are a Christian, I believe this book will renew your spirit to retain your soul. If you are searching and questioning then I suggest reading this book. One thing I like about Mark Batterson is his honesty and his encouragement to ask questions.
I give this book 5 stars for reminding us of the 4 basic principles we each need.
Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a free copy of this book to review.
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Review 4 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Date:February 14, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
It's all about Mark 12:30. Look it up, read it in context, see that it really is what Jesus said it's all about. And that's what Mark Batterson breaks down in his book Primal. He takes readers through each aspect of loving God and tells them what it looks like and how it can be done. It's not enough to just use one "spiritual love language" (a correlation I thought was great) because people are made up of all four (heart, soul, mind, and strength). To completely worship and honor God with the whole self, all four pieces of the puzzle should fit together.
I loved the book. I found it theologically sound and quite honestly, a breath of fresh air. Mark Batterson is pretty much saying that we need to be "sold out" for God. And it makes sense. I didn't find anything out of place, there was nothing said that wasn't un-Biblical (at least not that I saw). Oh, and since this is a big one for me, Mark Batterson used "He" and "Him" instead of "he" and "him" when talking about God or Jesus. Which I really appreciated because to me, doing otherwise isn't giving God the proper reverence He is due.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.
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Review 5 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
A great book to share with those who want to grow!
Date:February 9, 2012
fstrpstr
Location:St. Louis, MO
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Mark makes you think and gives you plenty to talk about with those who really want to take their Christianity to the next level.
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Review 6 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Primal Majesty of God's Glory
Date:November 5, 2011
Lisa S
Location:Maryville MO
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Primal
In his book,"Primal," Mark Batterson asks the question, ..."when all of the superficialities are stripped away, what is the primal essence of Christianity?" He answers this on page four by quoting Mark 12:30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Of course, Batterson then expounds on what he calls the Primal Commandment in subsequent chapters.
In his book,"Primal," Mark Batterson asks the question, ..."when all of the superficialities are stripped away, what is the primal essence of Christianity?" He answers this on page four by quoting Mark 12:30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Of course, Batterson then expounds on what he calls the Primal Commandment in subsequent chapters.
What truly spoke to me in this book is what I am calling the "Primal Majesty of God's Glory," the why of Mark 12:30. It is through Batterson's scientific descriptions of God's creation, including man, that answers they "why" of Christianity: why God is the only one deserving of honor and glory. These descriptions reinforce Psalm 91:1: "The heavens delcare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Take for example the description of our galaxy on page 54:
When we are filled with wonder, it is a foreshadowing of what we'll experience in heaven. But it's also a reminder that what we call natural phenomena are really supernatural phenomena. And we ought to celebrate them as such. The sunrise is so consistent that we take it for granted, but few things are as miraculous as the celestial dance that takes place on a daily basis. Our planet spins around its axis at a speed of 1,000 mph. And while our planet does a 360 every twenty-four hours, it is also hurtling through space at an unimaginable speed of 67,000 mph. You may not have any big plans for today, but you will travel 1.6 million miles in your lap around the sun. Quite an accomplishment! And to top it off, the Milky Way galaxy is spinning at approximately 490,000 mph. It takes the Milky Way two hundred million years to make one full rotation. Almost makes you dizzy, doesn't it? Wonder will do that.
Other examples include the description of studies of the human brain and learning in chapter 6 (I Corinthians 8:2: The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he out to know); and discussion of nuclear fusion and sound in chapter 9 (Psalm 33: 6,9: By the word of the Lord were the heavens made....For he spoke, and it came to be).
Primal also includes a discussion guide for the various chapters:
Two Thousand Stairs -- "What is the primal essence of Christianity?"
The Tribe of the Transplanted -- "Being a Christian means having a new heart -- Christ's heart."
A Drop in the Bucket -- "One of the most important ways that Christlike compassion plays out is in our financial giving."
Island of the Colorblind -- "The most primal emotion is wonder."
Seventy Faces -- "The Bible is the primary way that God speaks to us, and He speaks to each one of us in different ways at different times."
Holy Curiosity -- "God has created us with the capacity to keep learning until the day we die."
One God Idea -- "Too often Christians are uncreative and unimaginative, producing little that is original or beautiful of delightful."
Sweat Equity -- "Loving God with all our strength means expending energy for kingdom causes."
The Hammer of a Higher God -- "God is not just great -- He's incomparably great. And this is important for primal faith because loving God with all our strength really means loving God with all His strength."
The Next Reformation -- "The next reformation will take us back to the primal focus of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength."
Two Thousand Stairs -- "What is the primal essence of Christianity?"
The Tribe of the Transplanted -- "Being a Christian means having a new heart -- Christ's heart."
A Drop in the Bucket -- "One of the most important ways that Christlike compassion plays out is in our financial giving."
Island of the Colorblind -- "The most primal emotion is wonder."
Seventy Faces -- "The Bible is the primary way that God speaks to us, and He speaks to each one of us in different ways at different times."
Holy Curiosity -- "God has created us with the capacity to keep learning until the day we die."
One God Idea -- "Too often Christians are uncreative and unimaginative, producing little that is original or beautiful of delightful."
Sweat Equity -- "Loving God with all our strength means expending energy for kingdom causes."
The Hammer of a Higher God -- "God is not just great -- He's incomparably great. And this is important for primal faith because loving God with all our strength really means loving God with all His strength."
The Next Reformation -- "The next reformation will take us back to the primal focus of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength."
So, are you a Primal Christian...are you loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
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Review 7 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Back to the Basics
Date:October 17, 2011
Pastor Decker
Location:Michigan
Age:35-44
Gender:male
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
My impressions of “Primal” by Mark Batterson is mixed, but I suppose the negatives are just a matter of style. I really appreciated the core concepts presented by Batterson. He is right to emphasize what he calls the Primal Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” from Mark 12:30. Throughout the book, he fleshes out each part well, and I’m sure that this book will be a helpful boost to many Christians in their walk with God. But, for me, he went a little overboard with illustrative stories and data.
Is it worth reading? I would say, yes. I will keep it for reference, but I’m not likely to read it again … unless it comes out in an abridged version.
(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).
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Review 8 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Reformation Starter
Date:September 1, 2011
Andrew
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Primal by Mark Batterson is a great read for those who have accepted Christ and are feeling as if the "spiritual high" is wearing off. Batterson does an excellent job of taking the greatest commandment, to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30), and breaks it down in a simple and practical way. Loving the Lord your God with all your heart is done by having compassion for others. Loving the Lord your God with all your soul is done by having wonder for the world that God has created. Loving the Lord your God with all your mind is done by having a "holy curiosity." And loving the Lord your God with all your strength is done by using your energy for kingdom causes.
One of the most insightful sections in the book came in discussing the soul of Christianity. Batterson presents the knowledge of sound waves and the frequencies that we as humans can hear. During that section, he points out that there is always sound waves around us, even if we don't hear them. The same is true of God and his voice to us. He is always speaking, but we are not always hearing. We must learn to tune our ears and other senses into what God is saying.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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Review 9 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Secret map was better than the hidden treasure
Date:August 23, 2011
Dave
Location:St. Petersburg
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor for National Community Church in Washington, D.C., a trendy congregation with nine services in five locations. So you’d expect that he’d champion an innovative approach to the Christian faith.
But in his new book Primal, the author takes us on a counter-intuitive journey back in time two thousand years. He uses the analogy of descending down a long stairway beneath a visible Italian cathedral to encounter what is buried below — catacombs where second-century believers secretly worshiped God before the legalization of Christianity.
Subtitled A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, Primal imagines a compassionate, creative and courageous church that has returned to faith in its simplest and most unpolished form. It promises a rediscovery of an ancient walk with God that will transform 21st century believers.
Unfortunately, I found that the promise of long-lost spiritual treasures was largely unfulfilled. Batterson’s tips for a transformative faith — while helpful in a general sense — didn’t live up to the sense of wonder and intrigue he created in the opening of the book. Although it seemed like he had a map to forgotten artifacts, it ended up feeling more like following your GPS to the local museum.
That said, maybe the secret to a vibrant faith isn’t dependent on unearthing lost spiritual practices. Maybe we just need to value and utilize the gifts of God that are hiding in plain sight.
The publisher provided a complimentary copy of this book for review. The blogger provided a complimentary blog of said book. Sound about right, doesn’t it?
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Review 10 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
This book helps Christians examine their faith.
Date:August 5, 2011
marla
Location:Texas
Age:25-34
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
It took me almost two months to read this short book. Generally, I would say that is a bad thing. However, in the case of Primal, the fact that it took me so long to get through it is a huge compliment. Batterson made me question my own soul and myself as a Christian over and over throughout the book. Each time, I had to stop and engage in self-examination for a few days before I could move on. Primal made me dig deep into my heart and realize that I am not focusing on God's plans for me and that truly loving God means doing His will, not my own and worshiping him in four ways: heart, soul, mind, and strength. I would recommend this book to any Christian who is seeking to grow in his/her relationship with God.
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Review 11 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Primal: A Quest for the lost Soul of Christianity
Date:July 24, 2011
KarissaAngel
Location:Central Point, OR
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
While touring the catacombs, was brought to realize that the early Christians lived and worshiped differently than we do. Mark Batterson sought to find out from Scripture what that difference would be. He found that the thing that motivated the early Christians was the great commandment which tells us to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
How does one do that? What can motivate a single-minded love? How does that love manifest itself in our lives? These are questions that Batterson asked and sought to find answers for.
As one reads the book, it would be possible to state that Batterson was giving us a prescription for how to love God with all that is within us and with all that we are and have. In reality, I believe that Batterson seeks to provoke us to think about how we can love God and glorify Him in loving Him. In other words, this is not a twelve step book to loving God. This is a book that says, “Here is what I have learned about loving God, and how that changed my life. Perhaps it will be an encouragement to you to seek to break out of your ruts and chains and truly love God.”
This book is a different sort of book. It is not written in a point, by point systematic theology style. It seems to meander its way through the issue of loving God and manifesting that love. At the same time, that is not necessarily a negative point. Batterson never truly leaves the subject, and the main theme is always before the reader.
This is a great read and if you can pick up a copy of this book; I recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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Review 12 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Challenge for love to be more than a noun
Date:August 10, 2011
pastor les
Location:Williamston,MI
Age:Over 65
Gender:male
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
This is well written,very readable-great ideas,but so many not viable for the smaller churches that make up America today.
Having said that; I also was personally challenged for love to be so much more than a noun in my life.It must be a verb.
I appreciated the emphasis on Mark12:30-The four dynamics of the this command make up the core of the book. This brief passage really comes alive via his powerful pen.
Mark has the ability to communicate with stories and experiences of life to not only hold ones attention but to motivate us for change.
The author has the ability to take that which is complex and carefully explain it. The complex is made plain and then becomes applicable.
My copy of "Primal" is heavily underlined . As a pastor I especially appreciated how he shot down the old axiom,"I am not being fed."If you are not being fed,it your own fault.Cha-ching---High five.
So much jumped out at me! One more--"As the day ends God isn't going to say,'Well done-good and faithful servant-but just well done.'
This book is to be savored,not just speed read.
I recommend "Primal" as a great addition to any ones library and life.
Thanks Mark
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Review 13 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
This book is a call to personal spiritual reform
Date:August 2, 2011
Darlene
Location:Las Vegas, NV
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I received a complimentary copy of " Primal " by Mark Batterson from Waterbrook/Multnomah for review purposes.
Triggered by a trip to Rome, Mark Batterson explores the conviction that modern believers are living superficial lives and we are in need of a reformation, a return to what is the essence of Christianity. This book is a beautifully written call to the primal center of our original call to Christ.
Mark Batterson is quite clear and direct, yet gentle and comforting for us as believers. He asks the hard questions and this commands a response from our hearts. We will no longer reduce God to what we know, no longer choose political correctness over biblical truth and by experiencing personal spiritual reformation will in turn change our homes, churches and the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this small book. His insights and personal experiences are interesting to read as he fulfills his aim to take us back the basic tenets of faith while leading us forward to spiritual maturity through the life application of spiritual disciplines. God will use this book to further His kingdom.
I look forward to reading more from this author. Mark Batterson has made his mark as a Christian author, and a place in my personal library.
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Review 14 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Reminder of things you already know in a new way
Date:July 11, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
The author of Primal states his purpose of writing this book is that he wants the reader to "discover new ways of loving God." He also wants the reader to go "back to a primal place where God loved you and you loved God. And that's all that mattered." Mark Batterson writes two chapters on each of the four ways to love God. 1) In the first way to love God, which is with your heart, he says that one way you love God is to love others by taking the time to notice that others are hurting. He points out that Joseph changed the entire course of his life and the world by noticing the cup-bearer and baker looked upset. (Genesis 40:5-7) 2) In the second way to love God, which is with your soul, Mark Batterson says that we need to go back to the sense of wonder we once had (or could have) by looking closely at creation. He tells of a story of a genius whose appreciation for God was expressed in a very unusual way. The author states that any time you are being creative, you are loving God with your creativity if you use it for his glory. 3) The third way to love God is with your mind. Mr. Batterson states that when you learn more in any field, you expand your love for God. Love is based on knowledge. 4) One quote regarding loving God with all your strength, which is the fourth way of loving God, that I loved from the book is: "God loves the smell of your sweat. It stinks to high heaven, but it's a sweet aroma. Your sweat is sacred incense. God loves it when we break a sweat serving his purpose. Our energy turns into beautiful melodies, and it's music in God's ears." Mark Batterson gives many other examples in his book, scientific data for the scientific-minded, and stories of people who showed God's love in these four areas, as well as examples from his own life. The book comes with a 10-session study guide that could be used for personal reflection, Bible class discussion, or small group study. I feel as the reader takes on the author's challenge to try something in each of the four areas that the reader's love for God will grow.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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Review 15 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Some excellent points, but some problems too.
Date:July 5, 2011
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
By Mark Batterson
By Mark Batterson
The book began with the author recounting a visit to Rome and a trip down into the ancient catacombs beneath the city, where Christians once hid to avoid persecution. I was hooked; from the title and first couple of pages, I was anticipating a call to return to the primal faith, the ultimate dedication to the King that drove Christians underground to worship rather than allowed them to give up their beliefs.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t really the direction the book took. After reading it cover to cover, I’m actually not sure why the title “Primal” was even chosen. Yes, the author does talk extensively about returning to the passion we once had for Christ, and I totally agree with him on that. The church in America today is in desperate need of reformation, and Mark Batterson does have some excellent things to say about that. But he also has some things to say that I don’t agree with.
One of the problems I found with the book was the fact that the author quotes J.I Packer’s statement: “Any Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year”. And while he doesn’t come straight out and echo that, he does spend the next few paragraphs talking about what a great thought and idea that is. Personally, I take issue with Mr. Packer’s statement. If he wants to read the Bible cover to cover every year, then good for him. But I oppose the notion that because I prefer to work through the Bible slowly, studying it in depth for meaning rather than plowing through it to stay on schedule, I am not “worth my salt” as a Christian. (Ironically, in the very next chapter of the book Mark Batterson talks about the importance of taking time to be curious and ask in-depth questions rather than just “cramming for exams”, so to speak, and about how much more information is retained that way.)
The author spends a great deal of time in this book encouraging Believers to be creative, imaginative, and unafraid to think outside the box. And I agree whole-heartedly that many congregations as well as individuals seem to be stuck in a religious rut today. However, he also talks about the need for creativity to keep the church from becoming irrelevant. I have a serious issue with this. I believe it was Ken Ham who said: “Truth makes you relevant”. God’s truths are trans-cultural and trans-generational. If God’s Word is being accurately preached, it is relevant. Period.
I won’t say that this book was a total loss. As I said before, Mark Batterson does have some excellent things to say about the need for reformation in the Church and the need for Christians who are unafraid to be movers and shakers, and he has some great advice on how to actually be creative and undertake some of these things. But I also believe that he’s off-center on some issues too, and Christians need to be aware of that in reading this book.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t really the direction the book took. After reading it cover to cover, I’m actually not sure why the title “Primal” was even chosen. Yes, the author does talk extensively about returning to the passion we once had for Christ, and I totally agree with him on that. The church in America today is in desperate need of reformation, and Mark Batterson does have some excellent things to say about that. But he also has some things to say that I don’t agree with.
One of the problems I found with the book was the fact that the author quotes J.I Packer’s statement: “Any Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year”. And while he doesn’t come straight out and echo that, he does spend the next few paragraphs talking about what a great thought and idea that is. Personally, I take issue with Mr. Packer’s statement. If he wants to read the Bible cover to cover every year, then good for him. But I oppose the notion that because I prefer to work through the Bible slowly, studying it in depth for meaning rather than plowing through it to stay on schedule, I am not “worth my salt” as a Christian. (Ironically, in the very next chapter of the book Mark Batterson talks about the importance of taking time to be curious and ask in-depth questions rather than just “cramming for exams”, so to speak, and about how much more information is retained that way.)
The author spends a great deal of time in this book encouraging Believers to be creative, imaginative, and unafraid to think outside the box. And I agree whole-heartedly that many congregations as well as individuals seem to be stuck in a religious rut today. However, he also talks about the need for creativity to keep the church from becoming irrelevant. I have a serious issue with this. I believe it was Ken Ham who said: “Truth makes you relevant”. God’s truths are trans-cultural and trans-generational. If God’s Word is being accurately preached, it is relevant. Period.
I won’t say that this book was a total loss. As I said before, Mark Batterson does have some excellent things to say about the need for reformation in the Church and the need for Christians who are unafraid to be movers and shakers, and he has some great advice on how to actually be creative and undertake some of these things. But I also believe that he’s off-center on some issues too, and Christians need to be aware of that in reading this book.
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I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my review. A favorable review is not required; Waterbrook is committed to gathering honest opinions about the books they publish.
I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my review. A favorable review is not required; Waterbrook is committed to gathering honest opinions about the books they publish.
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Review 16 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
Overall Rating:
Simple, Yet Profound
Date:April 30, 2011
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
What does Christianity mean to you? The message in Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity is simple, yet profound. Want to become part of a reformation movement? The author takes us back to the basic, yet underestimated command from the Lord. After all, it is indeed the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38)! Have you ever taken the time to ponder what it really means to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength? This book will help you do just that. The book is divided into 4 parts: The Heart of Christianity, The Soul of Christianity, The Mind of Christianity, and The Strength of Christianity. Our family is missions-minded so I am glad to see that the author is, too . I also appreciate Mr. Batterson’s childlike faith that delights in God alone. The whole Christianity boils down to one primal thing: Amo Dei = Love God! "Everything minus God equals nothing. God plus nothing equals everything. At the end of the day, all that matters is God." (p.165) God is enough. Not God and job. Not God and house. Not God and ministry. Not even God and family. Just God! This book will fuel you to be on fire for Jesus. Refreshing read!
~This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
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Review 17 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
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Date:February 1, 2010
Anthony S. Ingram
In the 1500s, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the doors of Castle Church in Whittenburg, Germany, which launched a revolution in the Christian world as it pertained to right doctrine. Battersons Primal is a launching pad for another reformation of the Christian religion. This time it is not just about right doctrine, but it is about right living.This book is an exploration of the Great Commandment: that you should love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In his journey into the primal nature of humanity, Batterson argues that this command invites us into a relationship with God meant to bring us to new levels of heart-felt compassion, soul-stirring wonder, mind-bending curiosity, and an Kingdom building energy level built on God-given strength. It is a challenge to love God more every day with everything He has created us to be, and when we accept the challenge, the new reformation begins. For me, this book has challenged not only the way I love God, but the way I reflect that love of God onto others. This book is brilliantly written using many modern scientific discoveries about human physiology and the wonders of Creation to point us back to the Primal reason we exist, and then challenges us to use everything we have, combined with the grace of God, to love God in such a way that everything and everyone around us is affected. God is an infinite being and that means there are an infinite number of ways we can love Him, most of which have not even been imagined yet. Upon finishing this book, I am certain that Christianity is not a dying religion on its way out, but rather an infant relationship with God that is barely learning to crawl. If Christianity is getting dry and boring to you, you need this book. If Christianity is thriving in you and God is blowing your mind, you need this book. And for anyone caught in the middle, you should read it too. We have so much love to give, and so many reasons to do so.
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Review 18 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
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Date:January 11, 2010
Mike Foster
Mark is one of my favorite authors. I have read both In and Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase and Primal lives up to all expectations. Mark does an incredible job dissecting the Great Commandment (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength). He points out that when we lose our way in our faith we often need to go back to these basics and the primal instincts of our faith to bring us back to a place of growth.The thing I love most about all of Marks writings is his interdisciplinary breadth of resources. He is almost as comfortable talking about neurology as he is theology. His view, and rightfully so, that all truth is Gods truth allows Mark to maneuver between disciplines with the greatest of ease. It is with this ease that helps expand my faith with each Batterson read.If you are looking for a light read, a fluff piece, this isnt it. If you are looking for a challenging book that will shed some fresh light on a verse that we have read and thought about for years. This isnt exactly the little known story of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. The call to greater compassion, wonder, curiosity and energy is a call to greater faith and love for God. Where the first reformation was about deeds, the reformation needed today is one of deeds. We cant afford to just be good at the Great Commandment,we need to be GREAT at it.Mark writes in an easy to read fashion, almost as if you are talking about things over coffee. If you are looking for a book to wake your soul, to remind you of what where our faith has come from and to bring life to a faith gone stale this is the book for you.
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Review 19 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
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Date:December 27, 2009
Paula Ebert
Primal delivered everything that I expected and more. As I started reading, I was drawn in by the challenge of stripping everything in life down to the basics. As I continued to read the more challenged I became in my Christian walk the more determined I became to pull every lesson possible from this book! It also grew incredibly clear that the entire point of Primal is to call us to a life based on The Great Commandment, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.Nothing more.Nothing less.Mark writes in a way that speaks deeply to hearts and minds. Primal is a book that can be read quickly, but should be given more time to digest. There is so much meat inside so much that we can learn It is not primarily a book about how to grow a greater church but instead how to become a better disciple. However, if we all begin to live the principles in Primal, I believe we will see the church experiencing a reformation like we have never seen before!This is a great book to start off your reading for the new year I truly believe this is the first must read of 2010!
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Review 20 for Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
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Date:December 23, 2009
David
This book reads more like several sermons strung together and less like a book. Each chapter begins with a catchy story or example and is followed by supporting passages and never really gets that deep; and I am sure that it isnt supposed to. I believe Primal is meant to be a basic book of core tenants. Hence the title The word, Primal draws images of original and ancient ideas. However, the sub title: A quest for the lost soul of Christianity? Hardly. Unless this was a very short quest. Primal only really focuses on one key verse, the shema repeated by Jesus in Luke 10:27, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and then Mark follows by writing two chapters for each of the various qualifiers: heart, soul, mind and strength. But in the end it is a book of Sunday School answers: tithe, pray, read your bible and go to church. Basic? Yes. Primal? Kind of. Its more like a book on the Christian disciplines, but on a very very basic level. If you want a book on the disciplines there are scores better than this.On page 76, Mark says this: sometimes I wish I could forget the entire bible and start from scratch.weve read the stories so many times that we are blind to the beauty. And I would agree. How much more excited would we get when we read that the tomb was empty Sunday morning? But I could also equate Marks line to his own book. I feel like I have read these same words, heard them in sermons all before. Even a lot of the examples he uses are old. [or at least old to someone who has read a lot of books and sat through a lot of sermons.]The book is nice and its new and its from an author and speaker a lot of people enjoy. But do we need a new book that has nothing new to say? I dont know.
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