"Dug Down Deep" byJoshua Harris

Theology is a secondary issue to many Christians. We read books, listen to sermons, and seek to be good Christians, but all away from a firm grip on theology. To most theology is boring, time consuming, unnecessary, and only for the educated and those stuck in ivory towers. No wonder we're in a mess.

But there is hope.

A growing number of believers and Christian leaders are starting to go against such a trend. In his new book "Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters" author and pastor Josh Harris shows us why theology is not boring but practical and necessary.

Harris primarily uses the medium of story to get his point across especially autobiographical accounts. This is a growing trend today and many find it more useful than the usual propositional style of writing. Harris has the heart of both a Christian and a pastor. By this I mean that he is not an old man telling his readers what to do, but with tender heartedness shares with us his story and experiences and how God has convicted him of the importance of theology.

I really enjoyed this book. Harris is well respected in the Christian community a d for good reason. Harris shows how the future is looking brighter for the next generation church. Theology is not just for academics. Rather we are all theologians.

I did have a few concerns. One I found the blurb from Donald Miller interesting. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Miller and his theology and it concerned me that Harris wanted his blurb and then put it on the front of the book. Though the book has solid theology, I am still wondering why Miller liked it so much. I would think that he disagrees with Harris on many of these issues. Perhaps it was Harris' use of story that encouraged Miller. I don't know.

Also Harris' chapter on the Holy Spirit though incredibly important left me unsure what to think. Harris wants to emphasize the importance of pneumetology but this chapter he raises more questions than answers. Tongues. Spiritual gifts. Prophecy. Should the Christian practice these things? Harris says yes but doesn't want to be dogmatic. As a cessationist I disagree with Harris on this issue, but I felt that he dwelt on the issue too long. The chapter quickly became more of a debate on tongues and prophecy than on the doctrine of the Spirit.

Overall however this was an excellent book. Harris succeeds in presenting an enjoyable book on a much needed subject. Theology is necessary and practical. Harris presents orthodoxy that is understandable and pressing. This would be a good one to put on the shelf.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah