I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy of Mark Batterson's newest book, Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. In return, I was asked to provide a review of the book and post it by December 22.
You will notice that it is December 22. You may be thinking I pushed the deadline because of simple procrastination - either reading the book or writing the review. You may be thinking I got too busy in the midst of the Christmas season. You would be wrong.
I am pushing the deadline because of how much I have enjoyed reading it. My original plan was to make it a quick read, post my review, and fulfill my obligation. About halfway into the first chapter, I realized my plan was not going to work for two reasons. First, I was extremely intrigued and interested in what I was reading. Batterson's writing is very personal and full of great illustrations and analogies. Second, I was having to stop and ponder what I was reading. After each chapter I have had to do a little soul searching (appropriately just was is implied in the subtitle).
There have been many books that have purported to call Christians back to the basics. Most focus on a set of actions that eventually lead back to legalism and a religion of routines. Primal is a different kind of call back to the basics. The focus is not on actions, but on our attitudes, our outlooks, our perspectives, and our whole way of thinking about Christianity.
As a preacher, I am drawn to Batterson's great use of personal stories and illustrations. The book comes across as a conversation between reader and author. There are also numerous quotes worthy remembering and sharing with others. I wholeheartedly encourage you to put Primal on your Must Read List for 2010.