Is Christianity impossible? Do you feel like you are trying to live out the Christian life, but it’s impossible on most or even all days? In his book Impossible Christianity (Crossway 2023), Kevin DeYoung writes about why people may feel Christianity is impossible. My desire to review this book is because the Bible frequently uses words that set very high standards that I often do not achieve. A few verses that I contemplate are I Peter 1: 16, “for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” And Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing,” From my studies, I can’t find any loopholes or exceptions for the word “everything” in Philippians 2. That sounds impossible to me.
What’s not impossible is reading this book; it is a small 5 x 7inch book with 128 pages. I assume DeYoung kept the word count low on purpose. If some of us already feel like Christianity is impossible, we do not need a several hundred-page tome to navigate through; we need something that is easily read.
At first, I wondered if this book may be more for those of us who may be called “achievers” or what some may call “overachievers.” These personality types can be hard on themselves at times. However, given the wide breadth of topics covered on the theme of impossible Christianity, I think this book could be helpful to anyone. It would also make for great discussions in a small group as DeYoung gives much to think about.
First, DeYoung addresses those concerned about their salvation by walking them by what he calls the three road signs in I John. Those signs are “theological,’ “moral,” and “social.” The first sign, theology, is that a person should have the assurance of salvation if they believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God. The second sign, moral, is that a person should have confidence in salvation if they live a righteous life. The last sign is social, which is that if you love other Christians, the person should have confidence in salvation. DeYoung then spends time countering those who may disagree with using those signs to help a person obtain the assurance of salvation.
DeYoung then introduces the “Never Enough” topics of how we spend our time and our evangelism efforts. While I can say that I set aside time every day to pray, I feel there are always more people or details I should be praying about. I often think about a quote attributed to Martin Luther, “I am so busy now that if I did not spend three hours each day in prayer, I could not get through the day.” Thanks Martin Luther, no pressure there. DeYoung looks at verses addressing a prayer life and spending time studying God’s Word. His perspective is helpful as he references where the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. DeYoung points out that Jesus did not tell them the time of day, the duration, or the place to pray. He then addresses evangelism by looking at several verses. While he does not excuse any Christian from the obligation or command to witness, he points out that there are many ways to evangelize. Some may witness to friends; some may hand out tracks to strangers; some may do good works and tell others why they are doing those works.
Guilt is something I think most of us all experience in some way or another. In this topic, DeYoung looks at how the world wants us to be guilty. The message of the world is that we should feel guilty because of climate change, immigration, and race relations, to name a few. DeYoung states that some of this guilt we take on correlates to our always connected and always “in the know” world. For example, a train derails in India, and hundreds of people are injured and killed. Shouldn’t we pray for them and their families? And not just pray once but daily. Look at a news website; if you took time to pray for each article written, you wouldn’t have time for much else. Which, for me, ties back to not praying enough. DeYoung also covers in this topic corporate and ancestral guilt.
Another topic covered is the Sermon on the Mount, where we hear that we should never worry, never get angry, never lie, and always loves our enemies. One salient point DeYoung makes is that if we have to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven implies that we are not always angelic in our obedience. I want to be clear that DeYoung does not excuse us from maturing in our walk with Christ, but he points out that God knows we are imperfect humans and can be hard on ourselves. DeYoung lists several verses that show God is pleased with our obedience. For example, having an upright heart (I Chron. 29:17), fearing God (Ps. 147:10-11), and giving (Phil. 4:18).
So did the book address all of my questions? No. But I do like the wide coverage of topics that this book provides. Did it give me some assurance that I am doing enough? Yes, and it gave me a better perspective on my Christian behaviors.
DeYoung assures us that God knows us. He knows the path I travel on or the race I run (and Paul said it was a race) is mine, not yours. I should not be measuring myself against Martin Luther praying three hours a day, but against Christ. He points out that the Bible emphasizes Christ-like character, not a specific allotted amount of time praying or reading God’s word. As we honor our aging parents by helping them, or our disabled children, this takes time. Or even hospitality takes time. But when these things are done in the name of Christ, it’s time well spent as God is glorified.
A section that spoke to me personally was about leading a quiet life, that’s not been the definition of my life, but it is something I desire. DeYoung references I Timothy 2:1-2 and what Paul tells Timothy to pray for, a “peaceful and quiet life.” The full passage states, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” DeYoung states that this, leading a quiet life, is not usually emphasized in churches, rather, the focus is more on what we have to do or haven’t done. Rather he states that we should try to focus more often on leading a peaceful and quiet life.
While I have not reviewed every topic addressed in this short book, I hope I have encouraged you to read it. I think it will help those who need a fresh perspective on their walk with Christ. Our walk with Christ, or even our run, is not impossible.
Editor’s Note: RFTG received this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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