Shaun Groves
David Platt is not radical. And Francis Chan, in fact, is not the least bit crazy. Despite the titles of their best-selling books, they’re absolutely normal.
In Radical David urges readers to trade in the materialism and faux security of the American dream for a life of generosity, prayer, bible study, community, service and involvement in God’s provision for the spiritually and physically impoverished around the world.
In Crazy Love Francis asks readers to consider God’s lavish sacrificial love for them and the world and then respond by loving others likewise – living more simply, generously, passionately, obediently – together.
This isn’t radical. It sure isn’t crazy. It’s downright normal.
I’ve had the honor of meeting both men. David I only shook hands with and small talked for a minute but Francis and I have had longer conversations backstage, serving alongside each other at a few events. From our brief times together I walked away certain that neither man would label themselves “radical” or “crazy.”
Was it a publisher then, a marketer maybe, who foisted those labels on their words…and their life?
Unfortunate. Such labels lend credence to the lie we all tell ourselves: I’m not like them.
But we are like them, you and I. Forgetting this leads to an abnormal Christian life – Radically crazily sadly misinformed.
Jesus has invaded me to live through me here and now on earth. He has not removed my old desire to distance myself from Him by serving the gods of comfort and pleasure and security, but alongside that old desire He has installed a new one: His desire, a desire for intimate relationship with Him and others, to love as He loves, to “go and do likewise” at any cost, to be a disciple, an ambassador, a living letter written by God to the world.
Every Christian is possessed by Jesus. Jesus is in us believing, thinking, feeling, doing. It is not I who live, Paul said, but Christ who lives in me.
The Jesus who saw the crowds and had compassion on them is in me having compassion on children without dads, mother’s without food, kids without books, sinners who don’t yet know their Savior.
The Jesus who shook his fist at cheats in the temple is in me throwing a fit when a corporation robs children of their hearing, or my government aids in the theft of freedom.
The Jesus who stayed up all night for sweaty prayer is in me slowing down, pleading with Heaven.
The Jesus who wept outside the city is in my groaning for my neighbors who don’t yet trust Jesus to be their king.
The Jesus who welcomed children to his lap is in me teaching Sunday school and shooting hoops with my son.
The Jesus who forgave enemies from the cross is in me dialing the phone to extend an olive branch to someone who’s done me wrong.
For years I read the inspiring life stories of George Mueller, Mother Teresa, Blaise Pascal, Martin Luther, St. Francis, John Wesley…
And I longed to be made for such great things, to be such a saint, to have what they had. But, as it turns out, I had it all along: Jesus in us makes radical normal and desired and possible for all of us.
Last night I spoke about generosity to a crowd of university students and one young man stood in the lobby for a while afterward telling me how inspired he was, how he wanted to be a giving person someday – when he’s “called”, when he grows up some more, when he gets whatever it is he’s missing right now. “I want to be like you someday,” he said. “No,” I said, almost shouting,” you already are!”
So we talked about Who lives in Him and what normal is…for a person inhabited by God.
Generosity is status quo for those possessed by Jesus. Sacrifice is everyday stuff for them. Prayer is breathing for a child of God. Reading God’s written words is no anomaly for one of His. Not always easy but desired, possible – normal.
Are you normal?
Heather says:
I’m radically, crazy normal! 😉
Christy says:
AMEN!!!! So many people, christians included, forget that we are called to be generous and live for others. And that generosity is supposed to stretch well beyond our immediate household. I sometimes get so frustrated that I am constantly being told that I am different or wierd, or that caring for others is not my responsibility. That I should live more for myself. It is especially frustrating when that message is coming from those who are supposed to be fellow christians, in my own church.
Lindsay says:
Hmm…I don’t think Jesus was normal. Normal is honestly our human condition. And Jesus was the human embodiment of the kingdom of God.
Jesus was abnormal, just ask Satan. Jesus was crazy, just ask the people in his hometown. Jesus was radical, just ask the Pharisees.
And I wanna be just like him.
In the eyes of the world (and, sadly, in the eyes of mainstream American Christianity) Francis Chan is crazy. David Platt is radical. Just ask Mark Driscoll or Steve Furtick.
The thing is:
They are crazy, radical human beings. But they are very normal followers of Jesus Christ.
Shaun Groves says:
Behaving and believing as Platt and Chan do is normal for a Christian. That’s what I was getting at in the last two paragraphs.
Lindsay says:
I suppose I was just trying to defend the marketers or publishers who foisted those labels on their words… (Platt named his original 2008 sermon series “Radical.” I don’t think his was from a marketer or publisher.)
Overall, I agree with your post. I guess I should have just said that. 🙂 I was just trying to point out that, when we act like normal Christians, other Christians are going to label us radical or crazy. We’ve got to be okay with that.
Martin Perez says:
Good topic, Shaun
I think it’s interesting (ironic) that we end up talking about Francis and Platt and whatever they are, instead of doing what they likely desire most – that we forget them after reading their books and focus on Jesus and living our a loving, witness-filled life where the Spirit does an amazing work through us.
It’s my prayer that normal, crazy or not, whatever we do we do more and talk less. Pray more. Pray right. But pray.
Daniel Cordell says:
You raise an important issue. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read about following Jesus teachings, how many sermons I’ve heard and how many discussions I’ve had. But am I washing feet? Sometimes I feel like it’ll be that next book I read that will be the one that gets me over some subconscious hurdle.
Adrienne says:
I have a teeny-tiny blog with quotes and book reviews. And I would say 90% of my traffic is people who are googling David Platt’s book.
Which is a great book — but somehow I don’t think they are googling it because they want affirmation that it is great.
People seem deeply concerned that urging a life of love, sacrifice and justice is somehow sending people down the wide path. I’ve gotten comments from people who state right off the top that they haven’t read the book, and then proceed to warn me that authors shouldn’t tell people to give away money and act more like Jesus.
So, perhaps the book titles are more true than we want to believe… and the books are more needed than ever.
Clint says:
Great blog Shaun…I couldn’t agree more!
JessicaB says:
I wish the lukewarm would stop putting a choke hold on their own spiritual growth with their imaginary pedestals. It’s ineffectual.
And annoying.
Sarah Valente says:
Normal for those who follow Jesus: YES! But not at all seen as normal. Not by the world or the modern [American] church. I want to fit in and be seen as “normal” with the heroes of the faith! And I think I can safely count Chan and Platt among them:)
Great blog!:)
Meredith Dunn says:
Thanks for this. David Nassar spoke at my shcool once and refered to the challenge of living the way Christ called us to, not as “radical” as the world would deem it, but biblical. Francis and David, like you said, aren’t doing anything that would stand out in the Bible as odd. They’d fit right in with Paul an Peter. And so should we.
Ken says:
Great post Shaun!
Rhonda says:
Great message in this post.
It’s a shame that so many “Christians” want to adapt to the world’s normal instead of Christ’s normal. The American Dream was not part of Christ’s normal, but as American Christians it seems to be part of our culture – this belief that we have a right to the big house with a picket fence and all that comes with that. The thing is, when we start being grateful for all of the amazing gifts God has already placed in our lives, giving, serving others – the “American Dream” looses it’s grip. Our pastor this week was preaching on the passage from Matthew that says “ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Anyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.” He was teaching about the desire to be happy and that so often what we ask for/seek are things that we think will make us happy instead of the One who will give us joy. We ask for stuff and we get stuff that may bring fleeting happiness for a moment, but will never fill us. And I think a lot of people who say they are Christians will say that God is the only one who can fulfill, but their actions don’t line up with their words. Unfortunately, even to many who say they are Christians, that is radical living, possibly even crazy. BUT I see God changing that in His church more and more. I’m excited about how many people I know who are shaking off the “American Dream” taking up their cross and not caring about how radical or crazy they may seem to the world.
Kit says:
Great blog post! Love it! I’m going to link to this from my own blog 🙂
Marla Taviano says:
Amen and amen. Love this post. Love those books. Love being radical/crazy/normal.
Amy says:
It should be normal, unfortunately many don’t see us as such.
Jason Rust says:
Radical post. Excellent. Loved it like crazy.
Robin says:
Amen…trying everyday to let Jesus work in me.
Kelli says:
I would like to think of myself and radically, crazily normal but the truth is, I think I often fall into the category of “waiting to be called.” I have to constantly remind myself that I HAVE been called and not excuse myself from responsibility to act by praying about whether I should.
I want to be radically, crazily normal. I just need to get out of my head and let go of the fears that hold me back. I feel this even more strongly the older my kids act. I find myself in a place where I’m able to say much more freely – Here I am, Lord. Send me!
Kelli says:
I meant to say that I would like to think of myself AS radically, crazily normal. I also meant to say I feel this more strongly the older my kids GET.
I really need to stop commenting from my phone…
🙂
MainlineMom aka Sarah says:
Man, I sure hope so 🙂
Boog Ferrell says:
I think your dead on Shaun. The celebrity of service can cloud the issue and stave off obedience, and after meeting Francis, I think the thing that convicted me in his testimony was that this is not a Super Man…its just an obedient man. The C.S. Lewis position can be applied to us: We’re either liars or ‘crazy’ or what the word says we are – merely christian. Thanks for the thoughts.
Stacy Sublett says:
Love it, Shaun. A bunch of us here in State College, PA are reading and discussing Radical, and have done the same with Francis Chan’s books. We’re looking to define a new normal, where we live like we believe the things that Jesus said would define his followers. Reading the words of Jesus through the eyes of a USAmerican chasing the American dream has messed me up in a bad way. Trying to get at the heart of what Jesus said is messing me up in a good way.
Sarah Mae says:
Stacy! Random, but so cool to see you here! Are you still playing at Calvary?
Stacy Sublett says:
Yes indeed! Playing, leading at midtown, working on shaping the way the next generation defines normal…
Stacie Townsend says:
Wow. Great post. Exactly what I needed to hear tonight.
shayne says:
Truth is…I’m not sure. What I think about myself and what God thinks about me are often polar opposites.
I think I’m passionately in love…He knows it’s just an emotional smokescreen designed to pull the wool over His eyes. As if.
I think I’m distant and cold and utterly weak…He says that’s when I’m closest to Him and at my strongest.
It truly is an upside down Kingdom. I pray I’m not luke-warm as Jessica put it…but truthfully I think that’s just what I am most of the time.
Kelli says:
Shayne-
Well said. I can think of specific times when I was living as a normal follower of Christ should live. I was passionate and bold. I wasn’t afraid to take chances and I was quick to serve. And I can easily think of times when I was a typical Western Christian – content with my routine of attending church weekly, reading my Bible on occasion and praying in short bursts.
If I’m being honest, I would say the last few years have been typical, not normal. Somehow I convinced myself that the daily act of surviving as a mom was enough. Having kids felt crazy. (Still does, some days). But now those kids are getting older and I don’t want them to be afraid to live radically, crazily normal lives. They’re greatest influence on how to do that is obviously my husband and I. I think the Lord’s been slowly reworking my heart and refining me through my children and through others. I don’t want to be typical – I do want to be normal. In my heart I desire to be radical and crazy.
I am a work in progress. 🙂
CardsFan says:
Not as normal as I should be.
momofM&Ms says:
We had this discussion at our house last week.. between an almost 50 year old dad and his just 9 year old daughter.. “, When 9-11 happened” the Dad says, ” you were months from being born, and I was tryng to get back in the Military, angry for what had been done to my country, and what the religion of those who did this made me feel like. I wanted to take action… and then when we went to church and the pastor said we needed to pray for these people who had harmed our country, our powerful country, I was more angry.. and i got up and left!”
And the nine year old said..” Maybe that prayer was the action you were to take.. htere is more power in that! GOd’s word is upside down from teh world we live in, Dad.. but we always must strive to do what He wants us to do!”
I love that your words gave back normal to us…Why make it more than it is.. Jesus says this is the way to live.. not crazy, not radical.. but IT is very different from the world society has created!
Rob says:
Shaun-
It’s difficult for me to believe David or Francis would have allowed the title of either book to be left completely up to the editor or marketing head.
Daniel Cordell says:
I think this is why Watchman Nee titled his book “The Normal Christian Life”
jay sauser says:
Straight up! good stuff man.
Tara says:
Love this post. I think there is a difference in the “tyipical” Christian and what should be the “normal” Christian. I find myself all too often in the typical category – but books like David’s and blogs like yours are helping me stretch to try to reach that “normal” place.
Sarah Mae says:
Yes yes yes.
He is in me, bursting spirit out of my flesh…when I let go of the grip.
erin says:
I always wanted to be radical like Jim Elliott. But, reading more about him, I learned he had issues just like the rest of us. But, his love for Jesus powered his life. And, that what powers mine, too. I want to live fully in what He has called me. Whatever that be, radical or a normal Chrisitian!
Alex Green says:
Yep Shaun, totally agree, reminds me of Shane Claiborne of the simple way – http://thesimpleway.org/
He called himself an ‘Ordinary Radical’ in his book “The Irresistible Revolution”.
He also points out that the root word for radical means root, so a radical is getting to the root of things. Hopefully, if we follow Jesus, we can get to the root of what he was teaching, how he was living and be open to the spirit of God living in us, moving in us and changing us into ‘radical’ people: – People that love in the same way that Christ and God love.
Through God’s power at work in us, we can hopefully reflect some of His glory and show how wonderful He is.
J Spicer says:
Shaun,
Man you hit the nail on the head. Here is what i believe David & Francis were saying. WE “body of Christ” have lost direction and identity of WHO God is and How we relate to Him and through Him to a lost world. These titles get our attention and prayerfully bring us back to a realization that if we lived what we say then our lives WILL look RADICAL AND CRAZY to a world separated from our God! it should be normal but sadly we are exchanging “normal” and by normal i mean a biblically centered Christian life for the “boring” denial of God’s power in our lives. We fall prey to Romans 1: 25 life when we have been given John 10:10 Christianity! John 10 is really about obedience to our Savior. keep speakign the Truth of God in love. Love your blog. I am new fan!
misty says:
I want to be normal….
What I see today here in America is….our normal ‘Christian’ life is nothing like what Jesus says our normal should be. Normal is going to church on Sunday, saying the right things and pretending you have it all together.
Unfortunately normal is not being willing to give it all up for Jesus. Being willing to cut off my data package and the droid phone so I can give that $30- to sponsor a child through Compassion. Normal isn’t walking by a homeless person and not only stopping to chat but offering to go to lunch with them, not just giving them a few dollars. Normal isn’t going out into the community and helping wherever we can. Normal isn’t downsizing our homes so we can have more money to use for the kingdom. Normal isn’t saving my money to buy something I need rather than charging it on a credit card. Normal isn’t having no debt.
In todays society normal is living to compare myself to my neighbor. Going into debt, getting the best and latest technology, having the nicest house on the block, driving the greatest car. Keeping up the appearance that my life is grand. I have it together. I am living the victorious Christian life. Pretending. That is normal. According to the world.
And I don’t want it. I want to be normal according to Jesus. I pray that I become more and more normal every day.
Alex Green says:
Amen Misty, it’s like that in the UK too!
Katie @ Imperfect People says:
So well said. We are not of this world so it may seem radical but it is down right normal for Christians. I’m linking this post. Beautiful!
Brandi says:
“Generosity is status quo for those possessed by Jesus. Sacrifice is everyday stuff for them. Prayer is breathing for a child of God. Reading God’s written words is no anomaly for one of His.”
Yes!
It’d be great if it were the status quo and not “crazy” or “radical” but, in all honesty, I don’t care what they call me– I just want to be like Jesus.