Esse quam videri: "To be, rather than to appear"

I was recently given the priviledge of reading the book “Primal” by Mark Batterson and I was asked to post review of it here on my blog:

“Primal” helps to remind the body of Christ of what a relationship with Christ is supposed to be about.  There are many voices, concepts, and belief systems clamoring to be accepted in this “information age” we live in.  However, Mark Batterson reminds of some deep truths. 

In the following quote, Mark Batterson reminds us that our faith is to be put to action:

“As we grow in our love relationship with God, we begin to empathize with God.  We feel what He feels.  Then we begin to sympathize with others.  We experience sympathy breakthroughs as we see the image of God in others.  And when those empathetic feelings turn into compassionate actions, they set off chain reactions with eternal ramifications”

If our heart is truly breaking with the things that breaks the heart of God, there will be action.  Regarding the source of our action, Mark said the following:

“…one act of Spirit-prompted compassion can change the course of history.”

That’s one of the things that I felt made this book so fresh and relevant to what God wants to do with our generation.  He’s not impressed with our intellect.  He wants to be able to speak and direct His will to our generation and have us actually align with His plan. 

I’ve read in the book of Hebrews that we “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” (aka “those that have gone before us”).  However, the opening of “Primal” helped make that concept more real to me.   Mark Batterson describes what it was like to enter the catacombs under the Church of San Clemente in Rome, Italy where second-century Christians secretly worshiped God. 

“As we navigated those claustrophobic catacombs, I was overcome by the fact that I was standing in a place where my spiritual ancestors risked everything, even their lives, to worship God.  And I felt a profound mixture of gratitude and conviction.  I live in a first-world country in the twenty-first century.  And I’m grateful for the freedoms and blessings I enjoy because of where and when I live.  But when you’re standing in an ancient catacomb, the comforts you enjoy make you uncomfortable.  The things you complain about are convicting.  And some of the sacrifices you’ve made for the cause of Christ might not even quality under a second-century definition.”

Regarding the author, what impresses me the most is how often Mark Batterson alludes to himself taking personal action in response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  It is that reality that makes me more willing to let down my “filter” and take in the words that Mark writes about.  It’s very easy to find people who are willing to minister and write from their intellect.  It’s not always easy to find someone willing to minister and write based on things heard from the Spirit of God. 

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book.  “Primal” is just the right size to devour without it feeling like overkill.  The style/tone helps make this book a very easy read, but you also close the book feeling like substance was conveyed to you.  Enjoy!