Mark Batterson's "Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" :: a review

Based on the title of Mark Batterson's latest offering, I was afraid this book would slip into a rugged, chest-pounding reclamation of raw Christianity, akin to McManus' "The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within." That's not to say McManus isn't great. I just don't find that such messages resonate very deeply with me. Batterson's new book "Primal," however, is not that kind of book.

The book begins by making the argument that our generation needs a reformation, and builds a compelling case for what that reformation will eventually look like. Batterson suggests that a single person or event will not lead or define this new reformation, perhaps as Martin Luther and the posting of his 95 Theses triggered the last major reformation. Instead, this new reformation will be made up by "a movement of reformers living compassionately, creatively, and courageously for the cause of Christ."

Batterson follows this claim with a thoughtful exploration and reimagination of what it might mean, in the context of our daily lives, to live out the most basic and Greatest Commandment that Jesus gave us: 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. Batterson then breaks the four primal elements down, as follows...

The heart of Christianity is primal compassion.
The soul of Christianity is primal wonder.
The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity.
And the strength of Christianity is primal energy.

If you are familiar with the story of National Community Church, where Batterson is lead pastor, or regularly read his blog, you will quickly recognize that Batterson writes from exactly who he is. That is to say that "Primal" reads with the authenticity, transparency, and familiarity that make up most of what he puts out there. It is an easy read, but no less challenging. Batterson has an amazing ability to say more by using fewer words, so there were times in reading Primal that I literally had to stop after each sentence to consider the deep and profound truths and implications of what I had just read.

I don't want to drone on and on, so I'm going to wrap up here by suggesting you pick up Mark Batterson's "Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" and make it your first read of 2010. May it trigger a reformation in you that ripples out across your family, community, and generation. Peace.

About The Author
Mark Batterson is the author of Wild Goose Chase and In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. He serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church with nine services in five locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations. Mark has two Masters degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children. www.markbatterson.com

I received my review copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group