Blog Book Review for "Dug Down Deep"

Recently I signed up to review books for WaterBrook Multnomah and I am so glad I did. My first selection for my complimentary copy was the book "Dug Down Deep" (Building Your Life on Truths That Last) by Joshua Harris. Before I read this book, all I knew about Joshua Harris was that he was the guy "that kissed dating goodbye" :) I didn't realize that he is currently serving as the senior pastor of a church in Maryland, and that he is an amazing author with a gift for writing.

If I had to rate this book I would give it a 5 star rating out of a possible 5 stars. It was that good. Actually I was a little nervous to read this book because it is a book about theology. Words like orthodoxy and doctrine are discussed and better yet explained in this book. I always felt that only theologians could understand doctrine, but Joshua Harris helped me to understand what doctrine is and how I could actually live out the truths that are in God's Word.

Harris breaks down the basics of faith-God, scripture, Jesus, the Cross, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, and the church (taken from back cover of book). I have been a Christian for over 25 years and I still did not have a knowledge or understanding about some of the things that Joshua Harris explained to me in his book. After reading this book, I actually feel that my faith in God has been strengthened because I now understand key verses in scripture that I had not really understood before. As the title of the book states Joshua Harris wants his readers to "dig deep".

"Dug Down Deep" will be a book that I keep and refer to in the future as I study my Bible. This book is also a great book for Small Group studies because there is a discussion guide with probing questions in the back of the book for every chapter. I would actually love to go through this book as a study with a group of my peers. This book also contains a heavy amount of scripture in it which I think is a must if you were going to use it as a Bible study book in a Small Group.

In closing I think this book will appeal to all readers, not just professing Christians. I say this because Joshua Harris gives his personal testimony about how he began his spiritual journey as an "apathetic church kid" but as a young student developed a burning passion to truly know God. Joshua Harris also is very candid and shares some of his own personal struggles which helps him relate to his readers in an authentic way. I think those people who do not have a faith would find Joshua Harris refreshing. If not refreshing, at least honest and real.

Thank you WaterBrook Multonomah for this wonderful book.

(In exchange for the complimentary copy of this book, I had to write and post a review)