Review: Grown-Up Faith

Thomas Nelson, 2019

For many seekers and growing Christians, there is the feeling of spiritual stagnancy. Why am I not growing, even if I am doing all of the right things? For this reason, Kevin Myers writes his new book, Grown-Up Faith: The Bigger Picture for a Better Life. Myers, the lead pastor at 12Stone Church (the largest Wesleyan church in the United States), argues that faith cannot occur without spiritual maturity. For Myers, many Christians are caught in an immature spirituality, which causes them to miss the picture on a full, Christ-centered life.

Myers' book is structured around 11 questions which he claims are questions that all people at all times, whether religious or not, are asking. Such questions include: Is life an accident? Are heaven and hell real? What does it mean to be forgiven? Myers walks through each question and suggests that the story of the Bible answers these questions. He presents a narrative view of Scripture that he believes holds the key to spiritual growth. Each chapter includes action items and Bible readings to be completed prior to the next chapter.

This book is designed for new and/or growing believers with little biblical knowledge. It is popular theology rather than scholarly writing. Nonetheless, Myers' evangelical message would appeal to a large readership interested in learning the basics of Christian spirituality. Most of his points are theologically coherent and readable. This book, however, would not be of much substance for seminarians, pastors, and those with sufficient biblical/theological knowledge. Grown-Up Faith would be excellent for individual devotional reading, mentoring, discipleship, and small groups.

(A complimentary review copy was given in exchange for an honest review.)

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