Dug Down Deep: A Review [Weekend Resource]
![Dug Down Deep Dug Down Deep: A Review [Weekend Resource]](http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Dug-Down-Deep.jpg "Dug Down Deep")
**Guest post by Demian Farnworth at Fallen and Flawed.**
Right here. Right now. I’m coining a new word: “confessional reformed narrative.”
What do I mean by that? Simply this: a “confessional reformed narrative” is a book on reformed doctrine couched in stories–the author’s and others.
Think Unfashionable by Tullian T. Or Why We’re Not Emergent by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck.
Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad thing.
Just a trend I’ve noticed. A trend, I speculate, cropping up to answer Emergent writers emphasis on “narrative.”
“Sure,” these writers seem to be saying, “you can have your narrative. But not without something to stand on.”
It’s that “something to stand on” that makes them reformed.
Josh Harris’ newest book Dug Down Deep–Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters falls into this “confessional reformed narrative” category.
Harris of I Kissed Dating Goodbye fame is all grown up now. He’s entered the early stages of mid-life. And now he’s wondering what in the world he believed in the past–it certainly wasn’t sturdy or even safe.
Page through this highly-readable book and what you discover is that seemingly worn-out words like theology, doctrine and orthodoxy ARE important. Especially if he wants to walk on the “pathway of the mysterious, awe-filled experience of truly knowing the living Jesus Christ.”
In essence, Harris argues that theology matters. And he aims to teach you theology. He aims to give your faith something to stand on. But with a slant. His slant.
Like any good theologian, he starts with the character of God. Theology proper…
But you wouldn’t know that from the chapter title “Near but Not in My Pocket” or the chapter sub-title “God is utterly different from me. And that is utterly wonderful.”
Or take the chapter on Christology: “God with a Bellybutton.”
See that? This is his method. And it’s clever. Indeed, once you read the chapter you almost want to lynch him for being so clever.
The great part is he never lets up…from one doctrine to the next.
So what Dug Down Deep ends up being is a great introduction to theology. The structure of our belief. Which, as Harris points out, is significant:
“Many of us are not theologically informed. Truth about God doesn’t define us and shape us.”
What does shape us? Our culture. Is that what you want?
More tantalizingly, though, are the stories–the confessions and narratives threaded throughout his book.
Forgive me, but tales about drunk Amish teenagers, a remarkably-well drawn cartoon to explain our struggle with flesh AND the sneak-peek into Harris’ one-time live-in mentorship with pastor C. J. Maheny–to name just a few–are captivating.
To be serious though, the real gem is the last chapter “Humble Orthodoxy.” A chapter that points out that hostility or arrogance has no place in historical Christian faith because, in the end, there will only be one right person.
You can probably figure out who that person is.
Demian Farnworth is keynote blogger for Fallen and Flawed.
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Excellent summary! I will buy one for sure, and get some for my youth leaders.
Thanks, Pastor Gadiel. It will indeed make a great resource for your youths. In Christ, Demian.
This sounds like a fun read. I’m really big on doing theology, which this book looks like it touches on by giving the stories.
Thanks for the review. In some ways this book reminds me of Godology which I reviewed.
I’m looking forward to getting this in the mail soon.
Godology…don’t know it. You got a link to the review?
Yep, here is my short review of Godology.
Hello, I am giving away 2 copies of Josh New Book for free.
Look on my Blog.
[...] Dug Down Deep: A Review Josh Harris of I Kissed Dating Goodbye fame is all grown up now. He’s entered the early stages of mid-life. And now he’s wondering what in the world he believed in the past–it certainly wasn’t sturdy or even safe. [...]
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