cover image The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith

The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith

Jarrod Jones, . . Revell, $12.99 (219pp) ISBN 978-0-8007-3144-1

Admitting to doing life "backwards," Jones makes no apology for it. As the Alabama speaker with Vertical Ministries defines it, a backward life consists of first loving God and then loving others (Mark 12:29–31). As he says, "[L]ove for others is our love relationship with God gone public." Jones exhorts fellow Christians to embrace the "backward" life by exposing secular society's notion that self-esteem, self-promotion and personal power are the chief means of happiness. Controversially, Jones states that low self-esteem has been given an unnecessary bad rap, for it is frequently the catalyst that propels individuals into recognizing a need for God. He uses biblical stories to recount and punctuate his points, arguing that readers must discover the Bible to understand who God is and why God's ways are so unconventional yet compelling. Jones takes a hard line at times, exhorting readers to saturate their minds with biblical principles, plead with God through constant prayer and "bleed" or expunge any plans that take precedence over obedience to God. Though Jones's passion and sincerity are obvious, some readers may find this text lacking in fresh material. (July)