It’s been a while since I’ve done a book review.  Actually, the last one was back on the old blog so this is a refreshing change for me.  Several weeks ago, David Putman sent out an email asking bloggers if they would be willing to receive a copy of his book, review it, and post the review on their blogs.  I agreed and received the book about a week ago.

As I sat down to begin reading it, the opening paragraphs resonated so much that I wrote a post just about them.

I have to say this, the book is written in a very engaging, readable, and understandable fashion.  Which is good because that is what Putman is essentially challenging to the readers of the book to be themselves.  He crystallizes his challenge in a simple phrase which is repeated throughout the book.  Live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and leave behind what Jesus left behind.

Essentially, the book is an exhortation to “break” out of the religious “bonds” that hold you in and to begin enlarging your vision and your understanding of who Jesus is.  Putman challenges you to think critically and run your views about war, global warming, politics, suffering, education, parenting, evangelism, church, Jesus through a “missional lens” and through the Gospels.  The book is squarely aimed at those who think programs, procedures, processes, and religious fortresses are the keys to discipleship.

Putman boils down the book into a statement that I can whole heartedly agree with and endorse when he says “For me, breaking the discipleship code has been about returning to the centrality of Jesus in my life.“  He follows that up with “My life has been filled with Jesus things, but has my life been filled with Jesus?”

Ultimately, that’s what he spends the whole book challenging you to think about.  That’s the entire thrust of the book.  Have you bought into a religion?  Or you have you decided to follow Jesus?  Which is it?

The book is 224 pages long and you should easily be able to read a page of this book a minute.  That makes it about a 3 to 4 hour read which is good.  It’s easy reading and very conversational and engaging.  At the end of every chapter are 3 - 4 questions designed to help you think and process about what you read in the preceding chapter.

Overall, I think Putman has written a good book.  While I probably would share different perspectives on communicating sin, eternity, and other subjects that are mentioned in the book, I think this would be a great read for religious people who are attempting to earn God’s favor by completing as much religioius activity as they can.

I would not have a problem recommending this book.