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    Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters
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    Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters
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    Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters
    Audiobook6 hours

    Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    What will you build your life on?

    With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth. This book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation-it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God.

    For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars-it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."

    Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as: 

    • What is God like and how does he speak to me?
    • What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?
    • How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?
    • Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?

    With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJan 19, 2010
    ISBN9780307714022
    Unavailable
    Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters

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    Reviews for Dug Down Deep

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      This was an excellent book of back to the basics of doctrine. Written in an easy-to-read style, the doctrines of God, salvation, church and others are covered. It wasn't just a list of dry facts, but truths that are important to the Christian life. The ending chapter wrapped it all up with how to make these truths a part of our lives and have them affect how we live.quotes that impacted me"...theology matters...what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. what you believe about God's nature - what he is like, what he wants from you, and whether or not you will answer to him - affects every part of your life.""Theology matters because if we get it wrong, then our whole life will be wrong.""...often this culture, with its own rituals and music and moral values, comes to represent Christianity far more than specific beliefs about God do.""...what are we actually choosing when we choose to be Christians""Being a Christian means being a person who labors to establish his beliefs, his dreams, his choices, his very view of the world on the truth of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished - a Christian who cares about truth, who cares about sound doctrine.""Doctrine and theology are always meant to be applied to our lives - to shape and reshape not only a statement of faith but also the practical decisions of how we think and act.""Will we obey when we don't like what the Bible has to say?""The Bible insistently denies that we have the spiritual power to save ourselves or even contribute to the process.""Salvation is accomplished not by our striving but by God's power.""...if there isn't some degree of holiness in our lives, there's a real question of whether we've truly experienced God's saving work. If we don't love what Jesus loves, if we don't want to be like him, then maybe we've never really met him.""...the way we live proves the reality of our salvation.""What if the church is the means by which God has chosen to accomplish his purpose for us and for the world? And what if it is irreplaceable?"...we'd realize that rejecting the church is rejecting God himself.""The journey of the Christian faith was supposed to be made with other believers.""Am I building my life on who Jesus is and what he has done? Is my life built on the rock of a true knowledge of God?""The only thing that enables us to stand firm is Jesus and his words. The only thing that enables us to know and dwell with God is the solid rock of the Savior."*I received this book from the publisher through LibraryThing EarlyReviewers.
    • 4/5
      Joshua Harris is a pastor and author, a father and husband, and a disciple of Christ. His book Dug Down Deep shares his journey to becoming a Christian.The book title refers to the need to build your faith upon a solid foundation. And the author attempts to contribute to your solid foundation, first sharing with you his story of growth and enlightenment. He begins with what he terms his "rumspringa", which is based on the Amish tradition of allowing teenagers to run wild and explore the world before they make their choice on whether or not to stay in the Amish world. He says that his rumspringa couldn't compare-- he never got drunk or did drugs, but just displayed some mild rebellion-- but he was somewhat apathetic about God and his faith when he was younger. He grew his faith over time.He then explains about the meaning of common terms like "doctrine" and "orthodoxy", and other common Christian building blocks, like the Trinity, Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection. And his final chapter touches on how humility is needed when following and spreading God's Word. It is about recognizing how flawed we all are, and coming to God in humility and repentance. The author is very "readable" and relatable. He doesn't talk down to you or over-complicate things. He uses a lot of personal stories (both his own and of others) as examples. And he is humble.
    • 4/5
      Dug Down Deep : Building Your Life on Truths That LastJoshua HarrisFrom the Publisher: What are you going to build your life on? Dug Down Deep is systematic theology like you've never seen it before. Readable. Relevant. Powerful. As best-selling author Joshua Harris shares his own journey from apathetic church-kid to student with a burning passion to truly know God, you'll be challenged to dig deep into the truths of God's word. With humor, conviction and compelling insight Dug Down Deep covers the basics of faith--God, scripture, Jesus, the cross, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit and the church. Don't settle for superficial faith, dig deep. Review: This was a good, easily read systematic theology book. I found the author’s journey to be very interesting and blended well with his theology. He is able to explain his understanding of theology to be transparent and well developed. I agree with much of his theology and am encouraged that younger people are holding to a Biblical theology by using the whole Bible and not parts of it. He has a fantastic story of mentorship and friendship with CJ Mahaney which is encouraging. Too often today people are coming up with Theology that is ‘new’ and this man has embraced the historical doctrine from the Bible.I would like to thank Above the Trees and Multnomah for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
    • 5/5
      Josh Harris has written an accessible guide to foundational theology. Using illustrations drawn from the world and his own life story, Harris writes about God, scripture, Jesus, the cross, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit and the church. He writes with grace, calling us to dig deeper into the Christian faith and be strongly committed to our theology, in humility. Dug Down Deep tackles complex issues in a clear and simple way; its a great book to read along with somebody else to discuss together.
    • 5/5
      Dug Down Deep takes on the subject of creating a solid Christian foundation. New Christians will appreciate the accessible introduction into the faith and established Christians will find a fresh analysis of why Christianity matters. The author's personal struggles reaffirm that all Christians are sinners and need God's salvation. Harris is the senior pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland and author of several books.
    • 4/5
      Harris' entry-level examination into theological matters and an apology for considering theology.Harris investigates matters systematically, discussing the reality and need for theology, the foundations of theology, the nature of God, the Bible as God's Word, Christology, soteriology, sanctification, pneumatology, ecclesiology, and then a call to make theology practical, to actually live out the message of the Scriptures. Yet this is not the average book of systematic theology: the author turns it into a story of sorts, bringing the reader with him on his personal quest for greater depth in understanding of theology, referencing popular Evangelical authors quite frequently. To this end he makes theology more accessible to the average reader.Whereas the author's influences are clearly not just Evangelical but on the "Calvinist" end of the evangelical community, he maintains a more "ecumenical" approach in the book. He so writes so as to not give much reason for offense to anyone among "greater Evangelicalism". He does mention "grace only" and "faith only" at times, tries to ride right down the middle in terms of the work of the Spirit, and maintains a more ecumenical disposition always. Nevertheless, as a general introduction to theology and the reasons why doctrine matters, Harris has done well with this volume.**--I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
    • 4/5
      This is great. I did not get too far into it, due to time limitations, but I enjoyed it greatly. It is a great book, and I highly recommend you give it a read. Just like all of his other books you will find some great insight in a down to earth easy to read format. Definitely check it out.
    • 3/5
      “What are you building your life on?” This is the opening sentence in the book and a question we should ask ourselves often. The title of the book is taken from the story of the foolish man who built his house on the sand and the wise man who built his house on the rock. Sometimes we have to dig a little to find the bedrock of truth to lay the foundation of our life upon. In this book, Harris points to the bedrock of Christian orthodoxy to show us where to start digging.The book is laced from beginning to end with Harris’ personal experience. He is a winsome writer and I found myself engaged with his story from page one. The first two chapters are his apology of why he has written this book. I found myself identifying with his story in almost every way. The next eight chapters cover the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. Harris fleshes these doctrines out in a way that is conversational and fresh. The last chapter answers the question,”Now that I know this truth, how do I live in it’s light?” The answer is well worth the price of the book. This edition also has a study guide that can be used individually or with a small group.Dug Down Deep is a much needed message in today’s quagmire of relativism. This is an excellent introduction to theology for a young or new Christian, a good refresher for a seasoned Christian and a corrective for those who have strayed away from humble orthodoxy. I recommend this book as a thought provoking yet easy to read addition to anyone’s library.Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers provided me with this copy free of charge for the purpose of review.
    • 5/5
      As a seminary student with larger, more detailed texts on theology, I initially was skeptical of the benefits of reading Harris' book. Boy was I surprised. I can only hope to one day communicate biblical truth with clarity and insightfulness like Joshua Harris has done in this volume. This book will deepen the thought life and devotional life of any Christian, no matter how little or how much theology one knows. I highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      "Dug Down Deep" is a great resource to help point Christians back to where the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the early church placed the emphasis--biblical doctrine.This is a practical treatment of the great doctrines of the faith. The reader is not just presented with the truth of Scripture but also with clear applications that cannot be ignored. Biblical truth is not treated as some divisive matter to be avoided but as the adhesive that unites in fellowship those who have truly been converted by the power of the Gospel. In this day when the local churches are being demonized it is worth the price of the book for the content of chapter 10, "The Invisible Made Visible". The presentation of the churches as God's kingdom made visible is so needful at this moment. It is refreshing to read a book in which the author lifts up Christ's churches as the primary venue that God has given Saints to minister in and through.Joshua Harris' style of writing is refreshing and disarming. He takes the lofty, often hard to digest matters of Soteriology, Christology, Bibliology, Harmartiology, Pneumatology, etc. and turns them into appetizing treats. Joshua has written a book that will serve well as a much needed dose of iron for this Bible anemic generation of Christians.
    • 4/5
      This is a book that has two primary audiences: the new Christian and the struggling Christian. It is a great introduction to basic doctrine written in familiar language and with an encouraging tone. I find this unusual as so many Christian books tend to make you feel like there is no way you'll ever get it right. And we may not but I don't think that's very encouraging. For the struggling Christian this is reminiscent of some of John Piper's work where it really encourages you to read your Bible for guidance rather than following intuition. In other words, we have been told was is expected of us and we can strive to do that and be more Christ-like by following the directions in the Bible. It's not just a history book. He talks to us about how to fight the flesh which leads us astray. Slightly related, I had not seen the documentary on Rumspringa and this really got me thinking about tweens and teens. As a mother of two high schoolers I have long complained that high schoolers in general are becoming more and more child-like and less adult as the generations go by and I wonder at our lack of traditions or rites of passage for this age group. Highly recommended reading for everyone. If you aren't a Christian you may just find some understanding for those who call themselves as such.
    • 4/5
      You might call it biographical theology or theological biography. Either way, Joshua Harris weaves the two threads together in this simple, easy to read introduction to some of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. In his own words, Harris says that "Dug Down Deep is my reveling in theology in my own simple way - not too polished, sometimes awkward, less than scholarly, hopefully gracious and faithful. Even though these are deep truths, I don't pretend to be swimming in the deep end of the pool. I'm splashing in the shallow end" (p. 34).Dug Down Deep has eleven chapters. Harris begins by exploring in the first two chapters the importance of doctrine and why it is every believer's responsibility and privilege to be a theologian. In the following chapters, he discusses God the Father, the Bible, Jesus Christ, the cross of Christ, salvation, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. He finishes up the book by discussing in chapter eleven how good doctrine produces humility rather than arrogance.The strength of Dug Down Deep is the way that Harris uses his personal experiences and family history to articulate and clarify the doctrines that he is discussing. The examples make the truths tangible; they show that these are doctrines that touch real life, not theological constructs designed for theological scholars. One great weakness of Dug Down Deep is that, as Harris admitted in the quote above, it is not very deep. The title of the book is not an apt description of its contents. To be fair, the subtitle attempts to clear this up a little. It is the reader's life, not the book itself, that is to be Dug Down Deep. The contents of this book are a great place for beginners to start, but if their lives are to be dug down deep, then they must turn to books that push them deeper. Fortunately, Harris does provide Recommended Reading for Further Study (pp. 269-271).
    • 5/5
      Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris, Multnomah Books, 2011, 288 pages.In this updated release on his earlier book Joshua Harris, senior pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg MD, adds a study guide to his book on theology and why it needs to matter to us. Harris’s own story is used to show why many areas of theology can and should affect us to a core level. Harris weaves his experiences, sometime lack of maturity or understanding of theology from his childhood and teen year into a wonderful book that covers a tremendous amount to theological ground!The reality is this is a book that is geared toward those who are in the beginning stages of embracing theology and the study of God. Harris does a fantastic job covering major topics such as; the Bible, Christology, the Atonement, Redemption, Sanctification, Pneumatology, and the Church. In tackling these difficult themes, Harris is able to do it in an engaging way, in a way that draws you in and before you realize what it happening, you are studying difficult concepts that have been tossed about for hundreds of years!For me this is a book that will be one that I direct people to who are looking for a primer, a solid place to begin diving into studying theology on a deeper level. This book is a fantastic find and resource.I fully recommend this book and rate it a 4.5 out of 5!
    • 5/5
      Throughout this book Harris explores the different doctrines of Christianity, from the doctrine of salvation to the doctrine of Scripture. He breaks them down, explaining what they mean and how they are applicable to every Christian's life. He does this in an easy to understand way, telling stories, creating illustrations, and avoiding the over-use of verbosity. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the tenets of Christianity.
    • 4/5
      In Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris points out that we all do "theology". We all have a concept of who God is even if we believe that there is no God. He then covers several areas of doctrine, or truths we should build our lives on, such as God, the church, salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Scripture and others. As he coves these doctrines he shares from his life how he learned each doctrine and the impact that it had on his life. He also points out that not only do we need to learn the truth of these doctrines, but most importantly we must live them. This book is easy to understand, therefore, is a good choice for those people who are searching for truth as well as for those who kow these truths but can benefit from the reminder of them.
    • 4/5
      In Dug Down Deep, author Joshua Harris confronts the popular antipathy of modern Christians to words like "theology" and "doctrine" by relating how his own life was transformed by the essential truths presented in the Holy Scriptures. From the parable of the two builders in Luke 6:46-49, Harris concludes: "Being a Christian means being a person who labors to establish his beliefs, his dreams, his choices, his very view of the world on the truth of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished -- a Christian who cares about truth, who cares about sound docrtine" (p.19). He introduces the reader in subsequent chapters to various core doctrines within the context of his own spiritual journey from a nominal Christian youth to becoming senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With a winsome writing style Harris obliterates any misconception of theology as inaccessible, stuffy, and irrelevant. The inclusion of a study guide makes this an excellent introductory book for small-group or individual Bible studies aimed at reaching out to professing believers who find theology threatening. For readers who would never consider tackling Berkof or Bavinck, Dug Down Deep could serve as an appealing bridge to these or other more substantive systematic theologies. Most importantly, Joshua Harris convincingly demonstrates through Dug Down Deep that by embracing sound theology a believer may experience a life transformed and a much closer walk with the Saviour. Only Harris's continuationist views of the charismatic gifts cause me to hesitate endorsing Dug Down Deep without reservation.
    • 3/5
      "Dug Down Deep" is an theological overview supported by narratives. It often suffers from it's own simplicity and form. The narrative may not fully inform the doctrine it's mean support. It's an introduction meant to be approachable but isn't fully defensible and meant of in depth study.
    • 5/5
      While I don't agree with every conclusion Harris comes to as he does his theology, it's pretty close. The best part, and most promising future use of this book, is that it is so easy to read, that it will make an excellent resource for a theology class for older teens and college students. It covers a great variety of theological truths, and is very well written, and, surprisng enough, an enjoyable read. Good stuff...
    • 5/5
      In this book the author challenges Christians with this question: What are you going to build your life on? Joshua Harris begins this book with a definition of doctrine and theology and explains why they are important. He then looks at core doctrines of the Christian Faith:God;The Bible; Jesus; Salvation; Justification; Sanctification; The Church; The Holy Spirit. The book is ended with a caution to be humble in orthodoxy, and encouragement to think of eternity. Sound like dry topics only good for discussion at seminary or Bible College? Not here! Using Scripture, personal anecdotes, humor, and honesty, each doctrine is explored and clearly explained in simple, every-day language. Woven throughout the book is the story of Joshua's own journey of "digging" into deep theology, told in a way that leaves you wanting more --not just more knowledge, but a more real and personal relationship with God Himself. In a world of feel-good messages, self-centered religion and watered-down doctrine, this book is a refreshing call back to the Truth and Foundation of our faith. A relevant and crucial message for Christians at any stage in their spiritual journey!
    • 4/5
      John Calvin. C. S. Lewis. John Piper. J. I. Packer. R. C. Sproul. John R. W. Stott. If any of these names are familiar friends on your reading list, then your best bet is likely to just keep on with your current reading list. If not, you might take a look at Harris' book.My first impression from the title and basic description of this book was that it would help me move from the milk to the meat of the Gospel, guiding me in how to do a more in-depth Bible study and quiet time. That isn't exactly so. The book is more of a call to those new in the faith, including (and perhaps especially) those who may be deeply entrenched in the outward practice of Christian religion but inexperienced in shoring up their feelings with solid doctrinal truths drawn from Scripture, to do exactly that: build their lives on the rock of Biblical revelation with a deep concern for the truths God makes clear in His Word and how they can impact our day-to-day lives. The book's conversational and easily readable style will instantly dispel the myth that those who care about doctrine and theology are simply the "frozen chosen." In many ways, it is as if Harris has distilled the truths I've gleaned from several years of good preaching into the literary equivalent of an afternoon's conversation with a friend.That said, the book is a bit slow going to get into the meaty stuff, and even then, anecdote outweighs exposition in a good chunk of the writing. The focus in the first couple of chapters seems to be on superficial or disillusioned evangelicals first, rather than on seekers or those new to the faith. This seems a little backward, but if those readers will stick with it, they'll eventually find something they can latch onto. Harris lays out the theological underpinnings beneath the Gospel in a nice orderly way, touching on the importance of what God did for us, why Jesus had to die, how we are saved by grace alone, what our role in working out our salvation really is, and why, ultimately, having a foundation of Biblical truth underneath our understanding of all of these things, rather than just basing our beliefs on a mish-mash of our own experiences and what appeals to us, is vital to having a vibrant and practical faith. Much of this will be old hat to some believers, but they can benefit from Harris' final chapters, which touch on the nature of the Holy Spirit (dealing with potential controversies in a loving and pragmatic way) and on the importance of "humble orthodoxy." As the author puts it, sometimes the people who seem to know the most about the Bible also seem to be the biggest jerks, and it shouldn't be that way.I'm further along in my walk than a new believer would be, so I can't say this book was life-changing for me. But it contains many truths, thoughtfully considered with a loving and ecumenical heart and a dash of humour, that might speak to you in some way, no matter where you are in your faith or lack thereof. And if you're ready to dig down deeper, those other authors are always there.
    • 5/5
      In Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris writes in his usual down to earth and ever so personal style. I heard a pastor’s heart for the church to grow deeper and for our love of the truth to expand beyond what we have settled for. Beloved, doctrine is not a dirty word and even though I’ve been accused of approaching God in an academic way, I reject those thoughts. Some may think that doctrine is more appropriate for the seminary but Christian, as Paul said in Ephesians 1:17-19, "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe...” Pursue God and don’t stop until you reach glory! As you can see, I appreciated the book’s message to build your life on truths that last. The Bible says, “The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of our God will stand forever”-Isaiah 40:8. Harris reminds us there is nothing new under the sun by taking us through the teachings of the puritans through today’s theologians such as RC Sproul, JI Packer, Sinclair Ferguson to name a few. Pastor Harris also gives homage to the men in his life such as CJ Mahaney and his own father. But throughout the pages he makes it known that there were many whom he had not had the pleasure of meeting but who touched him in such a profound way through their writings. As I read Dug Down Deep, I kept thinking about Knowing God by JI Packer. When I read Packer’s book I felt encouraged in my faith, like a brother was coming alongside me saying come, let me show you something. Thank you Pastor Harris for taking my arm and gently encouraging me to keep going, keep pressing on and keep digging.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book because it was well written & explained theology simply. I especially liked the chapter on the Holy Spirit. I didn't get as much from the long narrative in the middle about the author's dad's salvation. There wasn't a lot new here for ME, but it was a good read.
    • 4/5
      This was a well thought out book that was able to simplify some important truths for the church. Joshua has a heart and gift for bringing the truth to the people of God in a way that they want to hear. This book is well worth taking time to read.
    • 4/5
      Well just finished picking up and reading Joshua Harris’s newest book “Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters”. It was a delightful and heart-felt book to read. The book is like an introduction to theology for the young in the faith or a layperson. Especially for the one that is possibly struggling to find their place in life and realize what is it they really believe, knowing they need to build a foundation. Those familiar with systematic theology themes and terms will immediately discern how each chapter addresses one of Christianities essential doctrines like theology proper, hamartiology, anthropology, pneumatology and others.Harris writes in his conversational style where one feels like he is sitting across the table from him as he opens up about his theological journey on how he arrived and landed on the core doctrines he holds as precious. His journey is lined with his own experiential stories of unearthing truth and why this Christian theology matters. This book is a gentle harmony of theology threaded and weaved with his biography throughout the pages of the book.The author shows how digging deep into the text of scripture is exactly what the man in Luke 6:48 did when he dug deep to lay the solid rock foundation for his home. So that when the storms came it would not fall. Harris makes the statement that everyone is a theologian since each of us possesses some sort of theology. We all have ideas about God even those who proclaim He may not exist. What matters most is that what we believe about God is the truth.So if words like atonement, sovereignty of God, propitiation, penal substitution, justification, and omnipresent are unfamiliar terms this is the book that will explain them practically and bring them down to ground level for everyone. Now where I believe Joshua Harris showed his great ability to communicate effectively was by bringing the cookies down to the bottom shelf theologically. Harris presents a conservative with a reformed bent theological system that is accessible to all peoples.He ends the book with a chapter titled “humble orthodoxy” which it alone is worth the purchase of the book. Harris says, “Christians need to have a strong commitment to sound doctrine. We need to be courageous in our stand for biblical truth. But we also need to be gracious in our words and interaction with other people.” I highly recommend this book and as one of the endorsements said it is like a systematic theology with blue jeans on.
    • 5/5
      What are we basing our lives upon? Does our own Christian faith have a solid foundation? Are we “religious” simply because that’s what we’ve been taught? Why do we believe what we believe? Do we even know what we believe?These are the types of questions that Joshua Harris challenges us with in Dug Down Deep. In simple conversational tones, Harris takes the reader through his own journey of faith, uncovering what he believes and how he got there. He uses the parable of the wise man and foolish man (Luke 6:46-49) who built their houses on different foundations. The wise man “dug down deep” to a solid rock foundation while the foolish man did not. In the same way, Harris is encouraging Christians to do the same — make sure we know what we believe and why in order to have our faith on a solid foundation. Writing part autobiography, part systematic theology, he discusses a few of the foundational doctrines of Christianity such as: * God, focusing on his “imminent yet transcendent” nature * Scripture * Jesus (“God with a belly button”) * Salvation * Sanctification * The Holy Spirit * The ChurchThroughout the book, Harris focuses on the importance of doctrine/orthodoxy. He says, “I’ve come to learn that theology matters. And it matters not because we want a good grade on a test but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live.” (p.10)The final chapter (“Humble Orthodoxy”) was the best one and most convicting for me as it addressed the need not to simply know doctrine but to live it. As Harris puts it, “Do you want to keep your orthodoxy humble? Try to live it. Don’t spend all your time theorizing about it, debating about it or blogging about it. Spend more energy living the truth you know than worrying about what the next guy does or doesn’t know. Don’t measure yourself by what you know. Measure yourself by your practice of what you know.” (p.214)The book is in no way academic nor is it meant to be. There are other and better books for studying the many facets of theology. Harris’ aim is to stir up a desire to study these facets more, allowing them to permeate our lives and change the way we live. Once again, I’ll let Harris himself explain the book: “Dug Down Deep is my reveling in theology in my own simple way—not too polished, sometimes awkward, less than scholarly, hopefully gracious and faithful. Even though these are deep truths, I don’t pretend to be swimming in the deep end of the pool. I’m splashing in the shallow end. But if my splashing can inspire you to dive in, I will have succeeded.” (p.33) Much of the theology Harris writes about will perhaps be obvious to many readers. But sometimes, we need to be reminded of the obvious in a simple, personal way in order for us to make it personal in our lives.(Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah for providing a review copy of this book.)