Book Review: Beloved Dust

Beloved Dust
By Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel
Nelson Books, 2014
English, 205 pgs

Description:
Pastor Jamin Goggin and theology professor Kyle Strobel provide a path to abiding with God.
We were formed from the dust, but we were made for life with God. We often accept less. We make promises and set goals to try and grow, but holiness seems impossible. But the Christian life is not about looking or feeling like a Christian. It’s about abiding in God.

If communion with God is your goal, self-help strategies and personal resolutions will fail you. But Jesus Christ will not.

Drawing deeply from Scripture and narrating their own experiences, Pastor Jamin Goggin and theology professor Kyle Strobel wrote this book to be a companion for your journey with Jesus in the truth of yourself – as his beloved dust. This is not weighing tasks and rewards, but is a process of patience, prayer, and openheartedness.

Prayerfully read this book. Prepare your heart for the gifts God has for you. Beloved Dust invites readers to discover the fundamental simplicity and radical transformation of being with God.

About the Author
Jamin Goggin serves as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Saddleback Church. He holds an MA in Spiritual Formation and and an MA in New Testament from Talbot School of Theology and is currently earning a PhD in Theology. He lives in Orange County, California.

Kyle Strobel serves as an assistant professor of Spiritual Theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and speaks broadly on spiritual formation, theology and the life of the church. Kyle holds a BA in Biblical Studies, master’s degrees in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics as well as New Testament Studies, and a PhD in Systematic Theology. He lives in Fullerton, California.


Review:
I cannot find anything wrong with the book theologically or Biblically. It is sound teaching. However, I found it to be very dry teaching. I can read a book in a day or two and this one was just not something that I was able to get through very quickly. It felt like the pages were multiplying as I read it.

The basis of the book is great. We are created beings and we cannot thrive when we seek to become like the Creator under our own power. We cannot seek to become greater than the Creator. We have to see ourselves for what we are and we have to accept that we have to have His help in any endeavor. Especially an endeavor to become closer to Him. We don't have it within ourselves to do this. We are totally dependent on Jesus and His mercy and grace in our lives. 

 I can see this book as extremely useful for both a new Christian who wants to explore and grow in their relationship with Jesus. I can also see this book as extremely useful for a "seasoned" Christian who needs to allow revival in their life.


I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review on both this blog and a commercial bookselling site. No additional compensation has been or will be received as a result of this review.