Radical Discipleship: Uncompromising Conviction in a Hostile World

by Hensworth W.C. Jonas

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? “Be ye holy; for I am holy.”—1 Peter 1:16

The modern church has replaced true discipleship with a soft, cowardly, perverted, and shallow iteration of Christianity. The radical departure of our generation from the truth in favor of an anemic Christianity must be answered with a radical return to doctrine and practice.

Pastor Hensworth Jonas’s new book, Radical Discipleship, challenges professing Christians to live out Christ’s call to stand out in a hostile, sinful world.

Contents

Introduction

Radical ChristRadical TransformationRadical WorshipRadical PrayerRadical SufferingRadical ResistanceRadical MissionsRadical MarriageRadical LaborRadical PerspectiveConclusion

Endorsements

"In much of modern Christianity, the prevalence of worldliness has diluted the distinction between the church and the world. In the church today, there is relatively little demand for gospel clarity, sound preaching, genuine discipleship, Christ-centered suffering, and faithful church discipline. In this work, Hensworth Jonas shows that Spirit-worked, life-transforming, and radical discipleship is the divine cure for worldliness. Such transformation is rooted in the power, person, and call of Jesus Christ, as well as awareness of God's holiness, eager anticipation of future glory, separation from the world, and imitation of God. With a pastoral heart, Jonas then shows how biblical discipleship should transform every aspect of our lives from the inside out. You will not be disappointed by this excellent manual of Reformed, experiential, and practical Christian living!"
—Joel R. Beeke, chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

"The Christian faith, by its very nature, must be radical. Light has come into the world of darkness. Thus, Hensworth Jonas's call in this book for God's people to pursue thorough holiness in this sinful world must be taken seriously. He challenges us to a Christian life that is wonderfully illustrated by his own life and ministry in the Caribbean. But above all, this is a call to biblical Christianity. I commend this book to today's church. Lest we totally lose our saltiness, let us heed this clarion call!"
—Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church and founding chancellor of the African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia

"Hensworth Jonas intends to speak a word of correction, exhortation, and encouragement to contemporary Christianity. By God's grace, he has achieved his purpose. A careful reading of this book will result in a spiritual recalibration in all the areas of the Christian life that truly matter. His contrast between the God of the Bible and the designer god of contemporary Christianity is remarkable. His call for straightforward obedience to the Word of God is a summons to true discipleship.”
—Paul Washer, founder and missions director of HeartCry Missionary Society

About the Author

Hensworth W. C. Jonas is executive director of the East Caribbean Baptist Mission (ECBM), a missionary society in Antigua and Barbuda. He has been the resident pastor of Central Baptist Church in Antigua since 1985 and has led the planting of three other local churches on the island. He is also the founder and superintendent of ECBM Baptist Schools.

Genres: Discipleship

Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2024

Reviews

[Scott Loughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a great short pep rally of why we should take our faith seriously with a razor-sharp focus. A few sections seemed like the author was just blowing off some steam, but the majority was convicting in a valuable and thought-provoking way. This is a good book to have longtime Christians read every 5 years or so to get a healthy kick in the rear to point them onto the right path.

[Matthew Gasperoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 4.5 stars, but trying to be more reserved for those 5-star ratings, so I settled on 4.

For a contemporary read, this book holds nothing back on these topics - I was not expecting to be as engaged with this read when I first got it. I've had the privilege to sit under Dr. Jonas' preaching and thought I'd take time to read his latest book - so glad I did.

He breaks out these topics into 10 "Radical" chapters (Radical Christ, Radical Transformation, Radical Worship, Radical Prayer, Radical Suffering, Radical Resistance, Radical Missions, Radical Marriage, Radical Labor, and Radical Perspective).

Each short chapter left me with at least one aspect to meditate on more deeply - and even some new Scriptural learnings as well. Each time I read one of these books, I hope it's like a chisel to my life that shapes me more into the image of Christ - I think this one took a few good swings!

I'm going to add it to my 're-readers' list as well as I think it will be well worth another read. Highly recommended.

[Joyce Olij · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by a seasoned pastor, and you can tell. Great read! It teaches you what it means to follow Christ in all areas of life. He really made me think on the subject of assimilation with our culture. I quote:
"The question for each of us here is, have we assimilated into the culture of our communities, schools, and workplaces, or are we resisting the pressure? If you do not understand the question, then you may already have assimilated and chosen pluralism, possibly without much thought or deliberation. You have agreed with the notion that everyone, no matter what he believes, should have his position treated with equal respect and should be granted equal credibility and dignity. You have embraced the cultural concept that no one's views may be rejected, for that would be bigotry. You have bowed to the value which states that "getting along" with one another is ultimately more important that the truth. The issues of ancient Babylon are not far from the issues of our own day." (The chapter talks about resistance and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how they resisted the command to worship the god of Nebuchadnezzar and/or privatize their faith.)
This paragraph made me think about personal pronouns and their use in the office and in business circles. Should we bow and use personal pronouns in our emails etc., just for the sake of "getting along"?

Anyways, the memorable part of this book is that he asks us to remain LOYAL to God in all areas of life. The older I get, the it is easier to become more 'soft' and allow things we probably would never have allowed in the past!

Another good quote:
"The gospel is not that good people are included and evil people are excluded. Rather the gospel is that humble people who admit to their depravity are included and the proud people who will never admit that they are evil are excluded. True conversion always destroys pride and gives us great compassion for those who share our frailty and tainted condition.

Because God has the power as well as all the love in the world for his children, we may approach Him with confidence."

[Benjamin Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and helpful read. Jonas challenges us to a radical commitment to Christ. The chapter names each begin with "Radical" and include Christ, Transformation, Worship, Prayer, Suffering, Resistance, Missions, Marriage, Labor, and Perspective. Each chapter reads somewhat like a sermon or devotional and calls us to greater faithfulness to our King.

[Alex Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sound. In my opinion it focuses too much on what "we must do" or what "we need" to do, rather who we are and who we are to be.