Primal by Mark Batterson

In Primal, Mark Batterson attempts to get back to the foundations of true Christianity.  To do this Mark goes to what Jesus says is the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.”  So what does that look like?

Mark is the rare combination of  theologian/scientist. As a voracious reader and learner Batterson has gaine a great deal of knowledge about the human body, math, science, and in all of them he sees the handiwork of God, the Creator.  So in the section on the mind of Christianity, Batterson takes the time to actually explain imaginations, the Reticular Activation System, and prayer and how all of these are connected in the life of faith.

Even the title of this book, Primal, is a reference to prime numbers, the numbers that cannot be divided by anything other than themselves and the number 1 (ex. 1, 2, 5, 7)  The four prime elements of the Christian faith are Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength, or as Batterson calls them, compassion, wonder, curiosity and energy.  If we can devote our whole selves to finding God in these four things, then we will be truly Primal christians.

Batterson has great skill for taking complex topics and making them very accessible.  I would recommend this book for all christians, especially if you have found your faith to be stagnant.  Primal is a text that can shoot some caffeine into your faith and challenge you to dream bigger, love deeper and work harder for God’s Kingdom.

You can buy the book at local bookstores or directly from Random House.

disclosure:  I did receive a review copy of this book from random house publishers, but if it wasn’t good I would have told you that anyway.