Sobre o que você edificará sua vida? Com transparência surpreendente, Joshua Harris compartilha como redescobriu a relevância e o poder da verdade cristã. Para os indiferentes ou espiritualmente inertes, as reflexões cômicas e envolventes de Harris sobre as crenças cristãs mostram que a ortodoxia não é apenas para eruditos - é para todos que anelam conhecer o Senhor Jesus Cristo. Como Harris escreve: Cheguei a aprender que a teologia é importante. É importante não porque desejamos impressionar as pessoas, e sim porque o que sabemos a respeito de Deus molda a maneira como pensamos e vivemos. A teologia é importante porque, se a entendermos de modo errado, toda a nossa vida será errada. Se você está apenas começando no cristianismo ou já é um crente veterano, este livro o ajudará a descobrir as verdades eternas da Escritura. Enquanto Harris o desfia a arraigar sua fé e sentimentos para com Deus na pessoa, obra e palavras de Jesus, ele responde a perguntas como estas: Como é Deus e como ele fala comigo? O fato de que Jesus é tanto humano como divino faz alguma diferença? Como a morte de Jesus, na cruz, paga a penalidade dos meus pecados? Quem é o Espírito Santo e como ele opera em minha vida? Com graça e sabedoria, Harris o inspirará a deleitar-se na verdade que cativou a mente e o coração dele. Ele o chamará a cavar profundamente para ter uma fé tão sólida que você poderá edificar sua vida sobre ela.

I am not a big fan of Joshua Harris. I haven't read his book on dating (more accurately not dating) or anything he's written on relationships and marriage. I did read his book on the Church ("Stop Dating the Churc"h re-titled as "Why Church Matters"). I found it mediocre and insensitive to where people are coming from when they are ambivalent to church. I also found him theologically narrow.

So I was surprised that Harris's book on doctrine and theology was something I actually enjoyed. In this book, Harris describes his 'conversion' to the sort of Christian who cared about doctrine. Then he reviews various different doctrines, in sort of an autobiographical survey of systematic theology. This is really what makes this book work. The theological weight of this book is rather light, though he does point readers to deeper places (and Wayne Grudem). What you get instead is Harris's wrestling with doctrine and the story of why he thinks certain truths matter. This is autobiography as theology which endears it to me, even if I do not sign off on all of Harris's generally reformed model of the faith.

I think doctrine matters and this is a passionate defense. More than that, Harris comes across as likable. His last chapter about 'humble orthodoxy' is the best part of the book. Harris is not arguing for a narrow and intolerant orthodoxy; rather he is arguing that Christians hold on to truth without compromising. This doesn't mean they need to be judgmental and narrow-minded. Point well taken. ( )

Joshua Harris is a pastor and author, a father and husband, and a disciple of Christ. His book Dug Down Deep shares his journey to becoming a Christian.

The book title refers to the need to build your faith upon a solid foundation. And the author attempts to contribute to your solid foundation, first sharing with you his story of growth and enlightenment. He begins with what he terms his "rumspringa", which is based on the Amish tradition of allowing teenagers to run wild and explore the world before they make their choice on whether or not to stay in the Amish world. He says that his rumspringa couldn't compare-- he never got drunk or did drugs, but just displayed some mild rebellion-- but he was somewhat apathetic about God and his faith when he was younger. He grew his faith over time.

He then explains about the meaning of common terms like "doctrine" and "orthodoxy", and other common Christian building blocks, like the Trinity, Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection. And his final chapter touches on how humility is needed when following and spreading God's Word. It is about recognizing how flawed we all are, and coming to God in humility and repentance.

The author is very "readable" and relatable. He doesn't talk down to you or over-complicate things. He uses a lot of personal stories (both his own and of others) as examples. And he is humble. ( )

Dug Down Deep : Building Your Life on Truths That Last

Joshua Harris

From the Publisher: What are you going to build your life on? Dug Down Deep is systematic theology like you've never seen it before. Readable. Relevant. Powerful. As best-selling author Joshua Harris shares his own journey from apathetic church-kid to student with a burning passion to truly know God, you'll be challenged to dig deep into the truths of God's word. With humor, conviction and compelling insight Dug Down Deep covers the basics of faith--God, scripture, Jesus, the cross, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit and the church. Don't settle for superficial faith, dig deep.

Review: This was a good, easily read systematic theology book. I found the author’s journey to be very interesting and blended well with his theology. He is able to explain his understanding of theology to be transparent and well developed. I agree with much of his theology and am encouraged that younger people are holding to a Biblical theology by using the whole Bible and not parts of it. He has a fantastic story of mentorship and friendship with CJ Mahaney which is encouraging. Too often today people are coming up with Theology that is ‘new’ and this man has embraced the historical doctrine from the Bible.
I would like to thank Above the Trees and Multnomah for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )

What a great primer on Systematic Theology!

I finally finished Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris. Pastor Harris is the author who is probably best known in evangelical circles as the guy who wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye. But Josh is so much more than just that first book. He has written on courtship and marriage, purity issues and the importance of a vibrant connection to a local church as well.

Dug Down Deep was one of those books that once I finally read it, I regretted having let it sit on my shelves for almost two years. It is an excellent resource and one I would especially recommend to those who have never read any systematic theology like Wayne Grudem's Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Josh intersperses stories and illustrations throughout this book to help bring out both the importance of knowing God through the systematic study of doctrine as well as the application of these truths to every day life.

I especially enjoyed the last chapter where Harris asks and answers the question, 'What should studying truth do to us?" This section alone should be read by every young man entering Bible college or seminary as it addresses the struggle between being passionate about the new truths you are learning and being compassionate with others that may disagree or be a bit behind you on their journey.

I found myself laughing at times, wanting to cry sometimes but mostly wanting to shout these things from the rooftop as I read through this book. I will definitely be giving a copy to your youth pastor and recommending he consider using it to teach the teens in our church. Pick up a copy of this book and make your way through it. You will not be disappointed.

*I was provided a free copy of this book by LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program exchange for an unbiased free review. Provided by LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program. ( )