Book Review of "Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity"

The book "Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" by Mark Batterson explores what it means to really follow what Jesus said is the Great Commandment: to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark Batterson is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington D.C.)



In regards to loving God with all of your heart, Batterson gives an illustration of when a person has a physical heart transplant, their way of living and their desires change. He shows that is also like that in a spiritual sense: When we love God with all of our heart, He changes how we live and what we desire--we see people through the eyes of Jesus, and are broken by what breaks His heart.



In regards to loving God with all of your soul, Batterson shows that we need to wonder at the Creation that God has made. Batterson did a hiking expedition with his son Parker at the Grand Canyon, and at the end of their hike, they did a helicoptor tour of the Grand Canyon. Batterson cried. The wonder of God's creation was overwhelming to him.



In regards to loving God with all of your mind, Batterson examines "holy curiosity." He also explores what it means to have "one God idea." Batterson writes of a "God idea" that ended up being used in his church: a Christmas catalog that consisted of missions projects. Multiple missions projects were done overseas, because Batterson's church took the ball and ran with the "God idea."



In regards to loving God with all of your strength, Batterson writes of being physically involved in the things of God. Batterson went on a missions trip to Jamaica, and he really felt as he was physically helping there that God saw it as an act of worship. He shows also that we need to walk in the strength of God.



"Primal" is a book that believers and ministers really nead to read. I also believe an unsaved person could be saved in reading this book, for it outlines what the "primal" core of Christianity is. This should be the first book that people read in the coming New Year. If you would like to purchase the book, please go to http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421319.