In Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, David Platt challenges the relationship that exists between the American church and mainstream Western culture. His challenge is clothed in humility, but it is frank, candid, and brutal nonetheless.

Platt raises questions about our values and priorities—both as individuals and as the church-at-large—and asks us to reconsider the way we think and correct the way we live. He reminds us that Jesus proclaimed a message of denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following Him. Platt is not shy in suggesting that this message has gotten lost in the halls of our mega-church complexes . . . perhaps even deliberately shoved under our comfortably cushioned pews. In doing so, he says we have traded the life-giving, joy-bringing, even holy-fear-inducing Gospel message that God saves us for His sake unto His glory, for a message that says God saves us for our sake and, consequently, our comfort. The latter message is not simply easier to digest. It’s also not the truth—which makes it a lie.

Our arrival at a place so far removed from the actual message of Christ, and so very distant from the reality of other believers around the globe, did not happen overnight. Our country’s history, our national ideals, and our personal wealth have all contributed to the disconnect that exists between the words of Christ and what Americans claiming to be Christ-followers often practice and preach. It’s not that everything America stands for or that Americans value is bad . . . but it’s not all biblical either. Platt reminds us that if we believe in Jesus, following His Word is paramount; if we believe in Jesus, we are citizens of heaven before we are citizens of the United States.

Not just denying ourselves but dying to ourselves: This is what Jesus said, this is the narrow road we must walk if we truly want to gain eternal life; and this is the lifestyle that Platt proposes and explores in Radical. In an effort to help us live out this great call of Christ, he provides examples to follow and goals to set that, while stretching, are also practical and attainable. Upon finishing the book, there are very few excuses left to list as to why, if we truly call Jesus “Lord,” we would not embark on the journey. In fact, the truly honest reader would say there are none.

I suspected this might be the case when I picked up this book. This is not the first give-your-whole-life-die-to-yourself-daily-pick-up-your-cross-and-follow-Me-no-holds-barred-call-to-action book I’ve read, and I was prepared to be convicted in response. But reading similarly radical books doesn’t make hearing the truth about what you might be any less unpleasant. Nor does it make seeing the depth of your aversion to correction or action any easier.

So, with that in mind, does this writer suggest you read Radical? It depends.

If you don’t like reading material that make you want to alternately throw the book across the room in selfish anger or fall on your face in fear and repentance, then no, do not read this book. If you are comfortable with the way things are between you and the Lord, then no, do not read this book. If you don’t want to upset any balance that exists between what-is-of-God and what-is-of-you in your life, then no, do not read this book. If you don’t want to seriously examine the choices you make in every aspect of your daily living and honestly ask yourself if those choices line up with the commands of Christ, then no, do not read this book.

However, if you want to know Jesus more and become more like Him, then yes, read this book.

Annie Provencher is a writer living in Virginia.

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