Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters is an excellent small volume of theology. In this book Josh Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD, writes of his spiritual journey toward seeing the need to be grounded in doctrine, and then deals with eight key doctrines of Scripture. A final ‘how to’ chapter completes the book. At first glance this may seem to some to be superficial, but it is far from that. Harris, in fact, accomplishes the difficult task of briefly explaining the key points of critical doctrines without being trite, of being succinct and complete at the same time. He must have had a very difficult time figuring out what to leave out of each chapter.
Dug Down Deep is an excellent example of classical instruction. In each chapter Harris teaches the grammar of that particular doctrine, explains how it works and how it fits into the bigger doctrinal puzzle, and then effectively weaves in the ‘so what’, and ‘how should this be lived out.’
Dug Down is not intended to be a thorough explanation of any key doctrine. Rather than being theology-lite, it is a conversational and pastoral introduction to theology-alive. The aim of the book is best summed up by Harris’s dedication: “To Emma Grace, Joshua Quinn, and Mary Kate. Your father loves you very much. One day when you are older I hope you’ll read this book and realize that I wrote it for you. I have no greater hope for each of you that to see you build your life on Jesus.”
An excellent book and well worth reading.
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