Deep Church review

Kevin DeYoung has a helpful review here. The review has even sparked dialogue with the author, Jim Belcher (see the comments section). Belcher says regarding DeYoung's review: "This is by far the most thorough review of my book, both in the overview it provides and the evaluation. It is well written, engaging and helpful, pointing out well the areas you agree and disagree on."

One of the things DeYoung challenges is the uniqueness of Belcher's "third way." This might be true, especially for DeYoung's Reformed background. As even Belcher admits in the book, what he is doing is what Tim Keller has been doing in NYC for two decades. However, for those of the low church, more mainstream evangelical ilk, Belcher's book is arguing for something very unique. (The confusion on this point might be due to Belcher's ill-defined "traditional church" category, another criticism that DeYoung notes--and one that Belcher recognizes as well.). In any case, I recommend both Belcher's book, Deep Church, and DeYoung's review of it.