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Review: All In: You are one decision away from a totally different life. by Mark Batterson



Review: All In: You are one decision away from a totally different life.
Mark Batterson
Zondervan
2013

Interest in total commitment rises among the younger set.  Or so it seems judging from some of the titles available today and this one fits right in with them.  Will that interest translate into action?
Batterson writes “I’m afraid we’ve cheapened the gospel by allowing people to buy in without selling out.  We’ve made it too convenient, too comfortable.” (18). What follows not only illustrates his point, but also encourages the reader to look at his own life and make a few adjustments.  Radical adjustments, for some.  He expects the reader to make a decision and makes it plain that indecision is a decision.

Batterson draws from an array of biblical accounts and more recent examples including his own life.  His opening chapter sets the pace when he retells the story of a one-way missionary (missionaries who bought a one-way ticket to their particular field) whose legacy was memorialized by those he served during his lifetime. 

As Batterson progresses, he repeats a phrase “going all in and all out for the All in All”.  That phrase serves as the organization of this book.  And it sums up the book.  “It’s time to go all in and all out for the All in All.” (170) closes the book.  

Does he make his case?   For the group that he works with, maybe so.  Young, eager, looking for a cause, and not loaded down with all the worries of life quite yet.  For me, the book covered ground well trod by others and in some cases was even tedious to read.  If the reader wants something more challenging try Bonhoeffer’s Life Together or The Cost of Discipleship.  Or Elliot’s Through the Gates of Splendor”.

But, you read it and decide what you think.  This is my opinion and you are welcome to disagree.

This book was provided by the publisher in return for a review.






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