Not A Fan: Becoming A Completely Committed Follower Of Jesus

Author KYLE IDLEMAN

Publisher ZONDERVAN

ISBN 1-480 554 795

This book is also available on audio. I would have expected that to happen as it possesses popular appeal as to style though maybe not as to content.  It deals with the most vital subject, that of Christian Discipleship.  The author is an American Pastor based in Los Angeles and that background colors the way he writes.  It is evident that he writes as a younger pastor and includes many examples and quips and quotes that will be missed by those who are not movie buffs or residents of the US.  Many will find it somewhat humorous and others will find the style a bit tiresome feeling that, at times the humor and ‘cool’ statements can taint the essential message that he obviously feels is of paramount importance and burdens his heart.  He is writing to correct the superficiality that tends to pervade the comfortable lightweight message propagated by so many Evangelical preachers.

 The idea that many church attendees resemble fans more that followers of Jesus can be acknowledged up to a point though some would disagree with him as to whether those who are only ‘fans’ are, in fact Christians.  So, the message of the book can be summed up as being a helpful challenge exhorting us to examine ourselves as to whether we have embraced a life of discipleship to Jesus and it is written in a popular style.  Because of its style there is now a version for teenagers and doubtless both these books will be well used.  What the author writes needs to be said, and in every way possible and the word I used earlier ‘lightweight’ he counterbalances by emphasizing the ‘weight’ of living the crucified life.  His illustrations are many; those living in the USA will grasp them more easily than those living in other parts of the world.   There are plenty of applications of the theme of taking up the cross and ‘dying to self’ and these are telling.

Each chapter ends with a short testimony of a member of the author’s church congregation illustrating the way they discovered the reality of the Lord Jesus.  I am sure that there are those who will regard this book as possibly the best one they have read on what it means to be a Christian.  It makes truth accessible to everyone and most of the chapters are based upon the words of the Lord Jesus as He spoke to people like Nicodemus or the rich young ruler.  Perhaps it could be read and used in house groups and youth Bible studies in order to encourage serious clarification as to what it means to walk with Christ.

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