The Radical Disciple

John Stott has been one of the most influential evangelical leaders of the last 60 years -- and one of the men I most admire. His new book The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling is best seen as the concluding statement of his life-long sermon (think of Moses' wrap-up at the end of Deuteronomy).

This is a wonderful little book that brings the wisdom of his 90 years to bear on the present. The writing is crisp and relevant. The content is compelling.

He deals concisely and practically with eight discipleship themes.

1. Nonconformity
2. Christlikeness
3. Maturity
4. Creation Care
5. Simplicity
6. Balance
7. Dependence
8. Death

Sample quote:

By no means are all beleaguered Christians repeatedly rescued from death as Paul was. Christians are promised neither immunity nor deliverance. Instead, even in the midst of death we can experience life.

...This extraordinary statement (2 Corinthians 4:10-11) declares that we can experience both the death and life of Jesus simultaneously. Notice that the noun body and the adverb always are repeated in verses 10 and 11. We are always sharing in our body in the death and life of Jesus. Even while we are being afflicted and made aware of our mortality, we can draw on the spiritual vitality of Jesus. Even before the resurrection takes place we experience the resurrection life of Jesus. Thus, "dying, and yet we live on" (2 Corinthians 6:9).

The Radical Disciple is a book that you could hand to a new believer. And it might just be the kind of radical jolt that some of us more seasoned Christians need.