I was actually surprised by how much I didn’t enjoy this book, given that “The Pursuit of God” by the same author is one of my favourites that I re-read often. In my opinion, it dwells disproportionately on suffering as a prerequisite (and as a sort of “proof”) for salvation, and misses the crucial element of joy in a believer’s life. Perhaps I misunderstand where this book sits (and how it interacts) with wider Christian literature. I.e it reads to me as a sort of polemic against certain expressions of Christianity rather than making any positive declarations of its own.

For example the author confuses his own taste in music as a sort of litmus test for acceptable worship, relegating all other styles to being some base form of entertainment and therefore abhorrent. This is too simplistic, and confuses the subjective with the objective. How are we to judge what can be classed as “worship” and what cannot? It is a matter of the heart, not the ears. The bible has more to say about the spirit in which we do it; not the style.

This author seems to assert that there is only one acceptable way to do church—his way—and it must feature suffering—God forbid we be joyful! I never fail to marvel at the knack of some Christians to turn the gospel (literally “good news”) into bad news. Overall, I found the tone overly pejorative, the assertions depressing, and the witness unconvincing in exuding the sort of joy that following Christ (at least in my experience) entails. ( )