Change is difficult and painful. We often resist the change that needs to be made in our lives. Then we go through a variety of circumstances that life bring us and we are confronted with the change in our lives that needs to occur. I don’t know about you but I really dislike these seasons in my life. As one of my friends likes to say, God uses these seasons in our lives to “pound or hammer sin out of us”. I like the imagery of that statement because it teaches us part of how God grows His people in His image and likeness. A new book Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective On How To Change by Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer has come out that seeks to help readers understand not only how to change but Who to look to for our change in Jesus Christ.
Chapter one explores creation and the fall while chapter two looks at how the bad news of the gospel applies to everyone. Chapter three looks at the beauty of gospel breaks into and transforms our lives. Chapter four explores the need for ongoing repentance in the Christian life. Chapter five examines justification and adoption while chapter six helps readers understand how to grow in an abiding relationship with Jesus. Chapter seven looks at a critical issue many Christians struggle with in guilt, and shame. Chapter eight helps readers to fight fear and worry while chapter eight will help readers to deal with unhealthy patterns and behaviors in their lives. Chapter ten and eleven explores how Christians can build godly and healthy relationships with others. The book concludes by looking at joy and perseverance in the Christian life.
As I read this book what I appreciated the most was Chandler’s and Snetzer’s honesty and transparency. The stories throughout the book point the reader to the finished work of Jesus. Every Christian can read this book. Some books are written at such a level that only those with in depth knowledge of the topic can read and understand it. This is not one of those books. Instead of this the authors adopt an easy to understand style of writing that helps move the reader along as he/she reads while grasping what they are saying.
Whether you are a new or seasoned Christian Recovering Redemption has something for you. While I personally found chapter nine to be the most helpful, I can see other parts of this book helping readers to grow in their understanding of the work of Jesus. I highly recommend this book and pray the Lord uses it powerfully in the lives of His people.
Title: Recovering Redemption: A Gospel Saturated Perspective on How to Change
Author: Matt Chandler
Publisher: B&H (2014)
I received this for free from B&H book review program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
