Remarkable: Living a Faith Worth Talking About

In his rousing but repetitive guide, Boyd (Speak Life), senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, lays out an approach for Christian readers to live out their faith by using the teachings of Paul. Boyd explores how modern temptations—fortune, power, and sexual immorality—are the same as those present in Corinthian society at the time of Paul’s arrival. He considers three ways Christians have historically responded to their culture: becoming integrators (who “slide effortlessly in... [and] are largely indistinguishable from it”), instigators (who are divisive and respond in anger), and isolators (who disengage). However, Boyd suggests a fourth approach guided by Paul’s lessons to the Corinthian church: that of adopting a “remarkable love” that involves equality, grace, sexual morality, worship, and hope. Boyd recommends being a watchful, engaged participant in one’s community and choosing to love well, as well as practicing prayer, praise, and intimacy with one’s loved ones. As Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, Christians should be “mature believers” in Christ and commit to bringing the gospel to those in need. However, he continually rehashes the same ground and fails to address how to engage others one fundamentally disagrees with. Despite this, Boyd’s reiteration of Paul’s lessons will appeal Christians looking to strengthen their relationships or congregational engagement. (Sept.)