Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Bestselling Author Kevin DeYoung Offers Hope for Those Who Feel Like Christianity Has Become Hopelessly Crushing and Complex
The apostle Paul described the Christian life as a race, but to many believers it feels more like a punishing obstacle course. Fearing they’ll never be able to do enough or give enough or be enough, they see themselves as spiritual failures. But Scripture offers good news: even in ordinary life, Christians can be faithful, fruitful, and pleasing to God.
Impossible Christianity reassures readers that they don’t need to feel a collective sense of guilt for sins in the past and solve every societal problem in the present. Through biblical wisdom and engaging personal stories, Kevin DeYoung challenges the misconception that we need 40 hours in the day just to be good Christians. By reflecting on what Jesus actually taught about Christian discipleship, readers will be newly encouraged to pursue single-minded devotion to God and find lasting joy in a life of sincere and simple obedience.
By Bestselling Writer Kevin DeYoung: Author of books including The Biggest Story; Just Do Something; and Crazy Busy
Applicable: Written in a conversational tone, this book addresses Christian life issues including guilt, corporate responsibility, personal disciplines, assurance of salvation, and righteousness
Offers Strength for Weary Christians: Helps believers answer the question, Can we please God and live a happy life in this anxious age?
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Offers Hope for Those Who Feel Like Christianity Has Become Hopelessly Crushing and Complex
- Reassures readers that they don’t need to feel a collective sense of guilt for sins in the past and solve every societal problem in the present
- Addresses Christian life issues including guilt, corporate responsibility, personal disciplines, assurance of salvation, and righteousness
- Introduction: Is Christianity Supposed to Feel Impossible?
- How (Not) to Make Christianity Possible
- Who Is It That Overcomes the World?
- Never Enough
- The Camel in the Room
- The Infinite Extensibility of Guilt
- Sermon (of Misery?) on the Mount
- Pleasing and Thank You
- The Quiet Life
I’ve been reading Kevin DeYoung since we were both young and restless. Over countless articles and books, he’s helped me mature in my view of the world and understanding of God’s word. Impossible Christianity challenged some of my assumptions and corrected some of my misconceptions. I know it can help you enjoy the pleasure of God in a quiet and dignified life.
—Collin Hansen, Executive Director, The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics
This book is for the Christian who believes low-level guilt and a slightly disturbed conscience are normal (even right!), and who may rely on that bad feeling as a bit of proof that they are, in fact, virtuous. DeYoung is here to remind you that Jesus set you free so that you really can please your good heavenly Father with a clean conscience. God smiles at the ordinary efforts of his children.
—Abigail Dodds, author, Bread of Life; (A)Typical Woman; and A Student’s Guide to Womanhood
Read it to the end—where we find a benediction. But from the beginning, this book aims to bless God’s people by sending us out to live in daily obedience to the Lord who has saved us. Kevin DeYoung is not simplistic, but he makes the call of Christ on our lives much simpler (and much more biblical) than the cacophony of voices around us might suggest.
—Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker
- Title: Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time
- Author: Kevin DeYoung
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 140
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Self-actualization › Religious aspects--Christianity; Christian life; God (Christianity) › Worship and love
- ISBNs: 9781433585340, 9781433585296, 9781433585357, 1433585340, 1433585294, 1433585359
- Resource ID: LLS:MPSSBLCHRSTNTTM
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-08-08T16:30:21Z
Kevin DeYoung is an American Christian Reformed Evangelical theologian and author. DeYoung is senior pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan and a member of and blogger for The Gospel Coalition. DeYoung is the author or coauthor of more than a dozen books including the 2009 and 2010 Christianity Today Book Award winners Why We’re Not Emergent, and Why We Love the Church. His most recent work, Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem, is the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association 2014 Christian Book of the Year.