Book Review: Do Hard Things

by Christian on November 06, 2009

do hard things Written by Alex and Brett Harris, Do Hard Things (Multnomah, 2008) is intended to confront a comfortable Christianity. The 240 pages of this book are packed with all the adrenaline that two twentysomething guys can muster.

Each chapter offers a no-holds barred approach to the Christian life and even includes a foreword by none other than Chuck Norris.

Against the backdrop of countless reads that exchange biblical truths for contemporary trends, this book caught me off guard by standing unapologetically in the tradition of Christian missions, evangelism, and spiritual discipline.

Most books that enjoy such success compromise on traditionally evangelical doctrines such as sin, heaven, hell, afterlife, and so forth. Not this book. Do Hard Things rides the building wave of revived puritanism that’s currently sweeping the Unites States. Standing on the shoulders of those like John Piper, C. J. Mahaney, Mark Dever, and others, this book fits naturally into the younger evangelical genre of Christian literature that’s gaining momentum.

John Piper says of this book, “Adult expectations for youth are too low. And these twins are out to raise them. Don’t adapt to the low cultural expectations for youth. Set high ones. Youth can become examples for adults. Think that way. Dream that way. Or as the Harris brothers would say, ‘Rebel against low expectations.’”

While entertaining to read, this book invites its readers to confront spiritual laxity and dig deeper into the faith that conservative Christians claim to believe. Do Hard Things is a call to seriousness, discipline, and activism, not dissimilar to early 19th-century British evangelicalism.

As refreshing as it is convicting, this book is filled with humorous anecdotes, engaging stories, and real life examples of people living out their faith.

What it lacks in experience, it makes up for in enthusiasm – a call to an exciting Christianity. Most of all, this book is a reminder that following Christ is tough stuff.

Bottom line: Alex and Brett Harris, younger brothers of famed Joshua Harris, is a call dive headfirst into a life that’s totally rendered and surrender to God.

Keep your eyes open for a sequel.

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  • This book is incredible. Many of us have seen teens, young adults, even thirty-somethings who are floundering through life. They can't seem to get any traction. Frankly, this approach to life drives my crazy, because I live on the other extreme. The Harris twins pinpoint the problem as a plague of low expectations when we're teenagers. As a result, we aren't trained to push ourselves and ask how God can use us -- especially during our teen years.
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