Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

“You and I can choose to continue with business as usual in the Christian life and in the church as a whole, enjoying success based on the standards defined by the culture around us. Or we can take an honest look at the Jesus of the Bible and dare to ask what the consequences might be if we really believed him and really obeyed him.”

This quote highlights one of Platt’s literary techniques in passages of moral exhortation: portraying the options as a dualistic dichotomy, a choice of one or the other. This portrayal of the Christian life goes back to the biblical texts, and in early Christianity was known as the “Two Ways” argument. In essence, Platt presents two options, but it is clear from the beginning that there is only one choice to be made, since only one of the options represents the act of following Jesus.

“Plainly put, a relationship with Jesus requires total, superior, and exclusive devotion.”

Here, one of Platt’s main themes finds an early articulation: the idea of Christian Discipleship as Costly Obedience. The call of the Christian life is an all-consuming one, with devotion to Jesus standing as the first consideration in any choice or circumstance. Platt’s literary style is also evident here—using short, clear sentences to make his central points, while also including rhetorical flourishes (like the string of adjectives describing devotion).

“The cost of believers not taking Jesus seriously is vast for those who don’t know Christ and devastating for those who are starving and suffering around the world.”

The theme of discipleship as costly obedience is touched on again here, but in this quote, Platt has turned the tables, pointing out the even higher costs of not obeying and following the way of Christ.