While We Sojourn

Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters

By Joshua Harris

Multnomah Books, 2010

 If you’ve read Joshua Harris’s earlier books and wondered where he stood on certain points of theology, read Dug Down Deep and you’ll know. Harris, in a sort of doctrinal autobiography, tells what he believes, why he believes it, and how it affects his life.

In eleven diverse chapters, Harris weaves clear doctrinal teaching into stories about his own spiritual growth. His main concern in discussing theology isn’t to fit into any category (reformed or non-reformed, conservative or liberal), but to stay true to Scriptures. And whether we agree with him on every point or not, we can’t deny that he does just that.

Dug Down Deep has chapters about God (who He really is), the Bible (and its authority), Jesus (both God and man), salvation (the work of God), sanctification (necessarily follows salvation), the Holy Spirit (He, not “it”), the church (the body of Christ), and more.  

Harris’s chapter on sanctification (“Changed, Changing, to be Changed”) is particularly helpful and balanced. Harris says that sanctification (a believer’s growth in holiness) is not a “one and done deal,” but is progressive. God works in the believer throughout his or her life. And though God is the one who changes sinners, it takes work on their part, too.

In the same chapter, Harris illustrates (literally) the Christian’s relationship to the flesh with drawings of a nice looking little guy (the Christian), and a big ugly monster (the flesh) who is always pestering the little guy. I enjoyed the helpful cartoons. My kids really liked them.

Another favorite chapter is “I Believe in the Holy Spirit.” We shouldn’t just strive for orthodoxy. We should strive for impassioned orthodoxy. And it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to be impassioned—to be “more amazed by Jesus, more desirous to serve and obey him, more ready to tell other people about him, more ready to serve the church he loves.”

Like Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, which Harris quotes from often, this book challenges my beliefs regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. Harris believes in the sufficiency and primacy of Scripture, yet he also believes that there is room for the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (tongues, prophecy, healing) within the church today. His arguments are compelling, maybe because they are so logical and reasonable. “When people ask me how to discover their spiritual gifts, I say, ‘Just serve.’ There’s a good chance the gifts God has given you to serve are the same ones you use in your daily work.”

Harris is clear and unapologetic about what he believes, but he’s also charitable towards those who differ. In the closing chapter of the book, Harris says that orthodoxy is good, but humble orthodoxy is best. It’s not enough to know doctrine. Our doctrine must change our lives and lead to humility: “Do you want to keep your orthodoxy humble? Try to live it. Don’t spend all your time theorizing about it, debating about it, or blogging about it. Spend more energy living the truth you know than worrying about what the next guy does or doesn’t know.”

Joshua Harris’s writing style is easy to read. There are no difficult words (unless he explains them), and there are no tongue twisting phrases or complex arguments. This book is written in a way that a child can understand. I read some of the sections about Jesus out loud to my five-year old while she was coloring.  When I stopped, she wanted me to read more. The stories keep it entertaining.

I’ll only mention one point of criticism. Harris says that he speaks in tongues. But, he says, “It’s not the apex of my relationship with God. I know a lot of Christians (my wife among them) who have never received the gift of tongues, and they’re doing just fine.” His belief doesn’t bother me. But he never explains what the “gift of tongues” is, what place it has in the believer’s life (or in the church), or how those without it might be at a disadvantage. My interest is sincere, and I want to hear more. But Harris leaves us wondering.

It is clear that Joshua Harris has dug down deep into doctrine, but this book doesn’t get too deep into any one subject. It would make an ideal introduction to theology for teenagers or adults.

Harris is a good teacher who can explain difficult concepts. He’s also a good story-teller. And his theology is good. A book on doctrine might not sound as practical or appealing as books on dating or overcoming lust, but readers will find Dug Down Deep just as helpful. Thanks, Mr. Harris, for challenging us to dig deeper.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.