Why Church Matters by Joshua Harris is a clear and concise book that deals with some of the questions many ask in pondering church membership. Having read several of his other works, this one pales in comparison to them because the depth and insight that are normally in Harris’ manuscripts were lacking. Granted, I have been in church my entire life; so, my perspective quite possibly clouds my judgment in that regard. If I were, in his words, a “church dater,” this book may have been a perfect fit.
His progression is logical in that he cites the prominence of uncommitted “church daters.” He then discusses the symbolism of the Church as the bride of Christ. Finally, he shifts into a description of the need for a church, how to choose one, and why there is a need to join. Without a doubt, chapter 6 – “Rescuing Sunday” – was the best part of this little book. Harris provides solid steps for Christians to maximize the most of their time at Church. We are all guilty of simply going through the motions; so he offers suggestions on how to be more purposeful in church attendance.
If you are looking to continue a similar study, get a copy of David Jeremiah’s latest book I Never Thought I’d See the Day. He has a chapter about the irrelevance of the church in our modern world. Jeremiah’s intent is somewhat different, but a comparison of their thoughts is rather enlightening. While the books are written seven years apart, they do offer the same conclusion -- yes, in this world of heartache and pain, the Church does matter while, sometimes, the churches do not.
My biggest gripe for Harris rests upon the lacking style of his scholarship. I am not challenging his intellectual basis; however, I am questioning his attention to detail. I discovered several wonderful quotes that I wanted to explore further; yet, Harris denied me (and other readers) that opportunity. Instead of providing clear citations from other books, personal emails, or sermons, Harris merely stated the quote with the author’s name.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. For additional details, please visit http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks. 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 25: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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