From the Back Cover:
I know from experience that it's possible to be a Christian but live life on the surface. The surface can be empty tradition. It can be emotionalism. It can be doctrine without application. I've done it all. I've spent my share of time on the sandy beaches of superficial Christianity.
This book is the story of how I learned to dig into truth and build my life on a real knowledge of God. How I first discovered that orthodoxy isn't just for old men but for anyone who longs to know a God who is bigger and more real and more glorious than the human mind can imagine.
The irony of my story is that the very things I needed, even longed for in my relationship with God, were wrapped up in the very things I was so sure could do me no good. I didn't understand that seemingly worn-out words like theology, doctrine, and orthodoxy were the pathway to the mysterious, awe-filled experience of truly knowing the living Jesus Christ.
They told the story of the Person I longed to know.
--Joshua Harris, Dug Down Deep
The Story Behind the Title:
The name for the book was inspired by a parable that Jesus told. Last summer I was on a beach in Florida reading Luke 6 and I came to the familiar story of the two builders. One built his house on sand and it was washed away by a flood. But the other "dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock" (Luke 6:48 NIV). When the torrent struck, his house stood firm.
Jesus said that the man who built his house on rock was a picture of the person who comes to him, listens to his words and them puts them into practice. That simple, slightly off-beat phrase "dug down deep" jumped out at me. And I knew I wanted to use that as name of the book I was writing. For me, it sums up the heart of what it means to build your life on what Scripture calls sound doctrine. Ultimately it's all about the person and work of Jesus. It's about coming to him, hearing his words and then putting them into practice.
Dug Down Deep has eleven chapters--eight of which are reflections of key Christian beliefs including the Doctrine of God, Scripture, the Person and Work of Christ, the Atonement and the Holy Spirit. The book is very personal and narrative-driven. I share the questions, misconceptions and hang-ups I've had what it's meant to allow Scripture's truth to reshape my thinking.
I hope the book will be accessible to people who might not normally read theological books. That includes Christians who are turned-off by doctrinally faithful but arrogant believers as well as people who are skeptical of the usefulness of Christian doctrine. I also hope that it will be given to friends outside the faith who have never really understood basic Christian beliefs.
Many of you have prayed for me during the writing of this book. Thank you so much. If you get to read the book, I hope you'll be encouraged. Please continue to pray as the final stages of copy editing, proofing and design are finished by the publisher.
