PRIMAL: A reader's analysis

A reader's analysis of 'PRIMAL:A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity' by Mark Batterson. Multnomah Books. Colorado Springs, Colorado 2009 ISBN: 9781601421319
Mark is also author of the delightful bestselling book 'In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day.' I found that book refreshing and perhaps even more challenging than PRIMAL was. I'd like to begin this analysis in a somewhat crazy fashion by first of all sharing with you the authors last paragraph. 'This book is an invitation to be part of something that is bigger than you, more important than you, and longer lasting than you. Its an invitation to be part of the next reformation. It's an invitation to be part of a primal movement that traces its origins all the way back to ancient catacombs where our spiritual ancestors were martyred because they loved God more than they loved life. Amo Dei.' I love authors that challenge me to think bigger than before, and I certainly want to be part of a 'primal reformation! While reading this book I copied down each page number in the front of the book that I had either underlined some sentences on or written notes beside, and time forbids me to catalog and comment on all of them in this blog. Yet the temptation to at least list a few is too overpowering and so within the structure of the book I will list a few. PREFACE: 'I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced.'[p.3] We often discuss how culture has influenced and in many ways shaped the church, yet I have to ask if most of that influencing/shaping has not been too readily adopted by the church because it takes less energy[commitment] to assimilate something than to evaluate it and sometimes take a stand against it. PART I: The Heart of Christianity. In this section the author talks about the superiority of 'emotional intelligence' to mental intelligence and one sentence that stood out to me was, '...as we grow in our love relationship with God, we begin to empathize with God. We feel what He feels.'[p.23] and when we begin to feel as God feels we begin to look differently at our neighbors, we begin to act differently towards our neighbors and we become more willing to sacrifice for our neighbors. The author then goes on to PART II: The Soul of Christianity. In this part the author talks about how Scripture illuminates our hearts and are often kaleidoscopes to our world. '...and yo never read the same verse of Scripture the same way twice. And that is a testament to its divine Author. The Spirit who inspired the writers of Scripture thousands of years ago is the same Spirit who illustrates readers today. And His illumination of Scripture is based on His intimate and infinite knowledge of your personality, your circumstances, your dreams, your doubts, your history and your destiny.'[p71] Never have I read Scripture taking into account that its message would be revealed to me because of so many variables taking place at that moment in my life. It is such a joy to know that one can read and reread the same Scripture and each time receive a unique and fresh application. 'When we open the Bible, it's like God opens His mouth.'[p.72] 'If we're not being fed it's our fault. I'm afraid we've unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches.'[p.75] 'We dissect Scripture instead of letting Scripture dissect us. We approach it like a textbook analyzing its words...'[p.80]
'We're already educated way beyond the level of our obedience.'[p.83] PART III: The Mind of Christianity. In this section the author begins with a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes, 'A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original shape.'[p.89] In this section the author reminds us how important it is to always, up until the day we leave this earth, be allowing God to stretch our mind, to expand our understanding, especially of Him. 'If you fail to use your mind, it atrophies. And when the mind atrophies, the soul shrivels.'[P.94] We must always have a holy curiosity! 'The quest for the lost soul of Christianity is a quest driven by questions.'[96] There is no question that God cannot handle, there is no question God fears we might ask; perhaps it we who are afraid to ask instead, to ask questions we won't like the answers to, or ask questions that might lead to other questions we'd rather not think about. The author, who also loves science, reminds us that faith and science need not be in competition, but both are avenues to completing the journey to find God's plan for our lives. 'I wonder if our certainties actually expose our insecurities.'[p.101] In the final section PART IV: The Strength of Christianity, the author points out that energy is the strength of Christianity. Putting feet to our faith, for James was right when he wrote, 'faith is not faith unless it is accompanied with works. This last section was probably the most marked up part of the book for me so I'm going to really limit myself to one quote because I believe it summarizes the author's writing, and also because I found it so powerful and humorous. 'God loves the smell of your sweat. It stinks to high heaven, but it's a sweet aroma. Your sweat is sacred incense. God loves it when we break a sweat serving his purposes. Our energy turns into beautiful melodies and its music in God's ear. It's also the way we build sweat equity in His kingdom.'[p.134] I had to put the book down and literally wipe the tears from my eyes so that I could see to read the book. How does that happen, my stinky smelly sweat rising to the heaven as a sweet smelling fragrance? WOW. Well now comes the tough part, I've got to stop thinking and start working! ENJOY, this book is worth more than the time and money you will spend to own it.