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Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life
What does it mean to be a Christian?
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news in history, but we often live as though it has minimal impact on our lives. Being a Christian isn’t just about Sunday mornings, small groups, and studying the Bible. The good news is that Jesus redeems everything. In the Bible, we read story after story of people meeting God and walking away completely changed. The same is true for Christians today. Being a Christian , by Dr. Jason Allen, shows how Jesus redeems all of life.
Useful for new and mature believers, small group and personal study, Being a Christian walks readers through the gospel’s impact on all facets of life, from your relationships to your resources, from your work to your rest, from your past to your future.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news in history, but we often live as though it has minimal impact on our lives. Being a Christian isn’t just about Sunday mornings, small groups, and studying the Bible. The good news is that Jesus redeems everything. In the Bible, we read story after story of people meeting God and walking away completely changed. The same is true for Christians today. Being a Christian , by Dr. Jason Allen, shows how Jesus redeems all of life.
Useful for new and mature believers, small group and personal study, Being a Christian walks readers through the gospel’s impact on all facets of life, from your relationships to your resources, from your work to your rest, from your past to your future.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2018
13 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Jason K. Allen
29 books22 followersDR. JASON ALLEN is the fifth and youngest president of Midwestern Baptist Seminary. He has served as pastor and interim pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Alabama and Kentucky over the past fifteen years. He currently serves the church more broadly through writing and preaching ministries, including his own website www.jasonkallen.com, where he writes on various topics including higher education, theology, preaching, and cultural and local church issues. He and his wife, Karen, have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 18, 2018
Jason Allen's new book, Being a Christian, is a very helpful resource, especially in discipling new believers. Allen looks at how the Gospel intersects with various areas of a Christian's life. Allen does a good job at making this book very readable and accessible, keeping things on the bottom shelf so that everyone can get something. Due to the nature of this book, it's not very in-depth in any particular area, but it can serve as a good overview of what it means to live out the Gospel in everyday life.
I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are entirely my own.
I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are entirely my own.
December 22, 2023
Accurate doctrine, not a shining narrative voice.
October 29, 2020
Since I will be starting classes at Midwestern Seminary soon, I wanted to read something by its president Jason K. Allen just to get an idea of how he thinks and teaches. This is a good basic primer on how the gospel ought to shape all of life for the believer, not just pieces that we pick and choose. Some of his illustrations were a bit of a stretch to get to his point, but the book as a whole was well written.
June 10, 2019
Really good.
May 13, 2018
Being A Christian - A Review
Being A Christian, How Jesus Redeems All of Life, by Jason K. Allen, B&H Books, 2018.
I had been seeing a lot of chatter in the various Christian circles on social media in which I meander regarding Jason K. Allen’s book, Being A Christian, in the months and weeks leading up to its release. From everything I could tell, it was a book that I would desire to read. Add on that I graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where the author currently serves as President, and I was sold. However, I must be honest, I already had too many books, so I didn’t preorder it, or order it really. Then, it was with great excitement, the opportunity to review the book came about, and I jumped at the opportunity to do so…
The first thing that really stuck out at me regarding this book was the fact that upon going through and reading the table of contents, it immediately brought another book to mind, one recommended to me by my preaching field supervisor during seminary. That book is The Pastor’s Primer, by O.S Hawkins, (which you can find HERE in PDF format). In The Pastors Primer, O.S. Hawkins covers a breadth of topics, from purpose and preaching, pastoral care and politics, through possessions and pay. And he does this in regard to how they relate and should be handled by a pastor. More than an instructional manual, it is a series of positions regarding the various topics. In the same vein, Jason K. Allen writes, “This is not a how-to book because Christianity is not a how-to religion. It certainly isn’t a must-do book, because Christianity isn’t a must-do religion. The point of this book is not so much what you must do for Christ, but what Christ has done for you.” (p.7-8). His aim is not to the pastor, but to all Christians, a category in which pastors do find themselves. Just as Hawkins writes towards items and topics which pastors can often wrestle with personally, Allen writes to the average Christian and what they may struggle with. From marriage to family, time to money, all the way to your past and to you, Jason K. Allen strikes a chord, a Biblical chord, with most anyone and everyone who reads the words he has written in Being A Christian.
There are many chapters throughout this book that caused me to cringe as I realized my failings and shortcomings in how I live my life and handle myself. While I am not living in sin in such areas, I now know that I can be doing a much better job than I have been. While chapters like “The Gospel & Your Money” and “The Gospel & Your Mind” really struck home, the chapter “The Gospel & Your Past” is one that really punched me in the gut. As many often find themselves, I catch myself reminiscing in the past, most of negative experiences and things that I have done, which really being me down. Some of them are in the time before I was a Christian, and others occurred after God saved me. Regardless of when things occurred in your life, there is one thing that Dr. Allen wrote that really encouraged me and has stuck with me: “Do not see your past as an embarrassing prologue to be buried, but as a glorious story to be leveraged for the kingdom.” (p.29).
In Conclusion…
I have really enjoyed reading Being A Christian and it is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend to everyone seeking to glorify God in all that they do (1 Corinthians 10:31). This book could almost be called “The Christian’s Primer” to help guide Christians, both mature and immature, through their lives in this crazy world. For the layperson: Read this book and pray over it, chapter by chapter with all the verses therein. For the pastor: Do the same things, as it will undoubtably help your life, but also help you minister to those that God has given you stewardship over in His church. I highly recommend Being A Christian to everyone. Go get it!
Being A Christian, How Jesus Redeems All of Life, by Jason K. Allen, B&H Books, 2018.
I had been seeing a lot of chatter in the various Christian circles on social media in which I meander regarding Jason K. Allen’s book, Being A Christian, in the months and weeks leading up to its release. From everything I could tell, it was a book that I would desire to read. Add on that I graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where the author currently serves as President, and I was sold. However, I must be honest, I already had too many books, so I didn’t preorder it, or order it really. Then, it was with great excitement, the opportunity to review the book came about, and I jumped at the opportunity to do so…
The first thing that really stuck out at me regarding this book was the fact that upon going through and reading the table of contents, it immediately brought another book to mind, one recommended to me by my preaching field supervisor during seminary. That book is The Pastor’s Primer, by O.S Hawkins, (which you can find HERE in PDF format). In The Pastors Primer, O.S. Hawkins covers a breadth of topics, from purpose and preaching, pastoral care and politics, through possessions and pay. And he does this in regard to how they relate and should be handled by a pastor. More than an instructional manual, it is a series of positions regarding the various topics. In the same vein, Jason K. Allen writes, “This is not a how-to book because Christianity is not a how-to religion. It certainly isn’t a must-do book, because Christianity isn’t a must-do religion. The point of this book is not so much what you must do for Christ, but what Christ has done for you.” (p.7-8). His aim is not to the pastor, but to all Christians, a category in which pastors do find themselves. Just as Hawkins writes towards items and topics which pastors can often wrestle with personally, Allen writes to the average Christian and what they may struggle with. From marriage to family, time to money, all the way to your past and to you, Jason K. Allen strikes a chord, a Biblical chord, with most anyone and everyone who reads the words he has written in Being A Christian.
There are many chapters throughout this book that caused me to cringe as I realized my failings and shortcomings in how I live my life and handle myself. While I am not living in sin in such areas, I now know that I can be doing a much better job than I have been. While chapters like “The Gospel & Your Money” and “The Gospel & Your Mind” really struck home, the chapter “The Gospel & Your Past” is one that really punched me in the gut. As many often find themselves, I catch myself reminiscing in the past, most of negative experiences and things that I have done, which really being me down. Some of them are in the time before I was a Christian, and others occurred after God saved me. Regardless of when things occurred in your life, there is one thing that Dr. Allen wrote that really encouraged me and has stuck with me: “Do not see your past as an embarrassing prologue to be buried, but as a glorious story to be leveraged for the kingdom.” (p.29).
In Conclusion…
I have really enjoyed reading Being A Christian and it is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend to everyone seeking to glorify God in all that they do (1 Corinthians 10:31). This book could almost be called “The Christian’s Primer” to help guide Christians, both mature and immature, through their lives in this crazy world. For the layperson: Read this book and pray over it, chapter by chapter with all the verses therein. For the pastor: Do the same things, as it will undoubtably help your life, but also help you minister to those that God has given you stewardship over in His church. I highly recommend Being A Christian to everyone. Go get it!
February 27, 2018
Perhaps you’ve heard that old saying: everyone wants to get to heaven, but no one wants to die to get there. In many ways it seems that we have dummied down the Gospel to the point that even though we have to die, we don’t have to change. It’s a simple omission. We invite people to invite Jesus into their heart, to accept Him as Savior, but we forget to tell them that they are also supposed to invite Jesus to be LORD of their lives. Although we don’t use these words, the unspoken message is ‘say the prayer; congratulations, you’ve got the golden ticket to paradise, now you’re free to go forth and sin happily ever after.
People are so anxious to do their part for the Kingdom, that they share the gospel, ask for a decision, but then forget to tell the rest of the story. We forget to tell them that eternity with Jesus starts at the moment of decision—not 5 seconds after you die. We forget to tell them about transformation, and how certain things are expected of Christians, not to earn salvation but out of gratitude for that free gift. We forget to tell them that being a Christian is more than an hour a week in a building that doesn’t look like any other place we visit during the week, singing music totally unlike anything we listen to from Monday to Saturday, and wearing clothes that just a short time ago we would have sworn would never be found on our bodies, or even in our closets. We forget to tell them about Jesus as LORD of our lives.
So, for those of you who have the ‘Jesus as Savior’ part of the good news down, but fall short when it comes to ‘Jesus as LORD’, Dr. Jason K. Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has done you a favor by writing Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life (B&H Publishing, 2018).
The premise is simple. The Gospel is not only the Good News, it’s also the Best News in all of history, but there are still a lot of people who need help answering a simple question: What does it mean to be a Christian? And so, Allen walks us through life with the gospel. Our lives as Christians are not meant to be compartmentalized: marriage, family, work, money, play. These are not things that we should try to separate from the gospel. It’s not these hours are for family, these for work, these for sleep, these for recreation, and a couple of hours on Sunday for Jesus. We are meant to be first and foremost Christians who have jobs, families, hobbies, and bank accounts. The trick is how to get them to work together.
Each short chapter deals with one area of our life which we are called to turn over to Jesus' LORDship. Why, based on scripture, and even a little bit of how. The gospel impacts all of life, so this is a good reminder for the mature Christian, and a good starting point for the new believer. A good tool for a Sunday school class or a small group.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.
People are so anxious to do their part for the Kingdom, that they share the gospel, ask for a decision, but then forget to tell the rest of the story. We forget to tell them that eternity with Jesus starts at the moment of decision—not 5 seconds after you die. We forget to tell them about transformation, and how certain things are expected of Christians, not to earn salvation but out of gratitude for that free gift. We forget to tell them that being a Christian is more than an hour a week in a building that doesn’t look like any other place we visit during the week, singing music totally unlike anything we listen to from Monday to Saturday, and wearing clothes that just a short time ago we would have sworn would never be found on our bodies, or even in our closets. We forget to tell them about Jesus as LORD of our lives.
So, for those of you who have the ‘Jesus as Savior’ part of the good news down, but fall short when it comes to ‘Jesus as LORD’, Dr. Jason K. Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has done you a favor by writing Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life (B&H Publishing, 2018).
The premise is simple. The Gospel is not only the Good News, it’s also the Best News in all of history, but there are still a lot of people who need help answering a simple question: What does it mean to be a Christian? And so, Allen walks us through life with the gospel. Our lives as Christians are not meant to be compartmentalized: marriage, family, work, money, play. These are not things that we should try to separate from the gospel. It’s not these hours are for family, these for work, these for sleep, these for recreation, and a couple of hours on Sunday for Jesus. We are meant to be first and foremost Christians who have jobs, families, hobbies, and bank accounts. The trick is how to get them to work together.
Each short chapter deals with one area of our life which we are called to turn over to Jesus' LORDship. Why, based on scripture, and even a little bit of how. The gospel impacts all of life, so this is a good reminder for the mature Christian, and a good starting point for the new believer. A good tool for a Sunday school class or a small group.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.
January 25, 2022
A useful book for new believers, but not nearly as gospel-centered as it believes.
The book is geared towards young Christians. It is short, practical, and helpful on that front. The goal of the book is to show how Jesus changes every area of our lives. Each chapter is then set up as "the gospel and this area of your life." The problem is that most of those chapters never clearly apply the gospel. The only repeated phrase is "when you obey all the rules correctly, then it is a great witness for the gospel!"
The book is not bad. Most of the advice is good and helpful. But it is not "gospel-centered." It leans more towards legalism and American productivity in places. I probably wouldn't recommend it for people, but I wouldn't steer someone away from it.
The chapter on marriage was really bad on singleness. He views singleness as simple "not married yet." He even calls singles, "the exception, not the norm." But the most disturbing statement was "For most us of, we experience a relational emptiness only satisfied through the spouse God gives us." That is not exactly gospel-centered.
There is also a bizarre amount of culture warfighting rhetoric. And a strange unnecessary section at the beginning of the book about the remodeling of the seminary president's house. It explains that the house was originally the house of a confederate general and needed to be remodeled. He mentions the different ways the house was set up to keep the black servants segregated from the white family they served, but tries to whitewash over the racial aspect of the house. It seemed like a weird choice since the facts could have been ignored completely, but he chose to mention them without comment and only talked around the issue. I am sure he had plenty of stories to share from the long process of remodeling that would have been better if he wanted to ignore any talk of "race." But this was a bad way to handle it.
The book is geared towards young Christians. It is short, practical, and helpful on that front. The goal of the book is to show how Jesus changes every area of our lives. Each chapter is then set up as "the gospel and this area of your life." The problem is that most of those chapters never clearly apply the gospel. The only repeated phrase is "when you obey all the rules correctly, then it is a great witness for the gospel!"
The book is not bad. Most of the advice is good and helpful. But it is not "gospel-centered." It leans more towards legalism and American productivity in places. I probably wouldn't recommend it for people, but I wouldn't steer someone away from it.
The chapter on marriage was really bad on singleness. He views singleness as simple "not married yet." He even calls singles, "the exception, not the norm." But the most disturbing statement was "For most us of, we experience a relational emptiness only satisfied through the spouse God gives us." That is not exactly gospel-centered.
There is also a bizarre amount of culture warfighting rhetoric. And a strange unnecessary section at the beginning of the book about the remodeling of the seminary president's house. It explains that the house was originally the house of a confederate general and needed to be remodeled. He mentions the different ways the house was set up to keep the black servants segregated from the white family they served, but tries to whitewash over the racial aspect of the house. It seemed like a weird choice since the facts could have been ignored completely, but he chose to mention them without comment and only talked around the issue. I am sure he had plenty of stories to share from the long process of remodeling that would have been better if he wanted to ignore any talk of "race." But this was a bad way to handle it.
March 15, 2018
Being a Christian.
Many people have an idea of what a Christian should be. There is a standard of what a Christian should do and not do. However, does this line up with what the Bible teaches? Also, should a Christian's faith affect all areas of life?
In his book, Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life, Dr. Jason K. Allen points out that Jesus came to redeem all areas of life for His glory. Areas such as family, work, church, time, money, and others. Rather than believe that Jesus came to solely give eternal life, Dr. Allen shows that Jesus came to give abundant life in all its facets.
The area that I really enjoyed was the area of the mind. Dr. Allen points out that there has been a shift towards the emotional aspects of Christianity but that the mind should not be ignored. Rather the mind should draw one closer to Christ in the heart which is an emotional response.
I really appreciated this as I often struggle to show emotion but am an avid reader and learner. I recognized the need to take it one step further and let me mind become redeemed and connect with my heart in my relationship with Jesus.
While the material in this book is not new, per se, the style of Dr. Allen has a connectivity that others may not have. Thus, this book should be a great resource for all those who use it and perhaps use it often.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Many people have an idea of what a Christian should be. There is a standard of what a Christian should do and not do. However, does this line up with what the Bible teaches? Also, should a Christian's faith affect all areas of life?
In his book, Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life, Dr. Jason K. Allen points out that Jesus came to redeem all areas of life for His glory. Areas such as family, work, church, time, money, and others. Rather than believe that Jesus came to solely give eternal life, Dr. Allen shows that Jesus came to give abundant life in all its facets.
The area that I really enjoyed was the area of the mind. Dr. Allen points out that there has been a shift towards the emotional aspects of Christianity but that the mind should not be ignored. Rather the mind should draw one closer to Christ in the heart which is an emotional response.
I really appreciated this as I often struggle to show emotion but am an avid reader and learner. I recognized the need to take it one step further and let me mind become redeemed and connect with my heart in my relationship with Jesus.
While the material in this book is not new, per se, the style of Dr. Allen has a connectivity that others may not have. Thus, this book should be a great resource for all those who use it and perhaps use it often.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2018
We know that the gospel has the power unto salvation, but what other effect does the gospel have upon our life? That is the subject of the new book by Dr. Jason K. Allen entitled Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life. This book of 160 pages published by B & H Books is a very helpful book to show us how the Christian life can be lived out in practical ways when it comes to your past, your marriage, your family, your time, your money, your work, your recreation, your mind, and your church.
As I was reading this book, I could help but think how this could be a useful discipleship tool for someone to use with a young Christian. It could be used in a mentor/mentee situation or a small group to help that Christian learn how this new life can be lived out. I remember how it took me years to understand what the Lord wanted of me in those areas of my life which are covered in this book.
With that in mind, I do recommend this book to you today. I would suggest that you read it first for yourself. It will challenge in you in the different areas of your own life. Then, I would suggest that you pick up a copy for somebody that you are discipling and bring them through it as well. See how God wishes to redeem all of us.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
As I was reading this book, I could help but think how this could be a useful discipleship tool for someone to use with a young Christian. It could be used in a mentor/mentee situation or a small group to help that Christian learn how this new life can be lived out. I remember how it took me years to understand what the Lord wanted of me in those areas of my life which are covered in this book.
With that in mind, I do recommend this book to you today. I would suggest that you read it first for yourself. It will challenge in you in the different areas of your own life. Then, I would suggest that you pick up a copy for somebody that you are discipling and bring them through it as well. See how God wishes to redeem all of us.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
February 8, 2018
Light on the Gospel
Honestly, as I read the book, I kind of felt like the Gospel was missing. He references it, but the book reads as more of a “how-to” live an appropriate 20th century Christian life. I agreed with most everything he said, but just found it to be more legalistic in tone than not. The introduction and the conclusion are both focused well, but are not the same tone as the chapters in the book.
Honestly, as I read the book, I kind of felt like the Gospel was missing. He references it, but the book reads as more of a “how-to” live an appropriate 20th century Christian life. I agreed with most everything he said, but just found it to be more legalistic in tone than not. The introduction and the conclusion are both focused well, but are not the same tone as the chapters in the book.
February 9, 2018
This little book is quite a deep work. It takes great skillfulness to write about such vast topics with precise brevity. Dr. Allen challenges believers to think rightly about how the Gospel affects every area of our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed it and see it being used in my ministry for future discipleship.
January 16, 2019
This is the best introduction to being a Christian I have read. Allen does a good job of stating clearly and simply how the gospel effects every area of your life. As a pastor i am constantly looking for resources to help believers understand their new life in Christ. “Being a Christian” is now my go-to book.
July 19, 2018
Allen writes with a love that comes from his head as well as his heart about how the Christian life extends into every area of our existence. Containing chapters about the gospel and marriage, money, work, rest, the church, and more, Being a Christian is equal parts convicting and encouraging.
November 13, 2022
This book would be a stellar tool for discipling a new or young believer! The truths help lay out the basis of the Christian faith very well - it was a very encouraging reminder of how the Gospel deeply affects all aspects of our lives.
May 18, 2018
Some good reminders. Worthwhile read for a new believer.
August 21, 2018
I feel like he could have dug deeper into the topics, but good overall view.
December 31, 2022
Really great overview in key areas a pastor should bring to his congregation.
December 31, 2022
New To The Faith? Read This!
This was a great book!
Short, but impactful.
I enjoyed it a bunch.
Good intro for those who are new to the faith.
Would recommend!
4.1/5
This was a great book!
Short, but impactful.
I enjoyed it a bunch.
Good intro for those who are new to the faith.
Would recommend!
4.1/5
September 6, 2024
Although simple there’s good truth in what he says.
March 20, 2018
A perfect resource for new Christians as well as a good reminder for all. My full review: https://medium.com/@jpark_21/being-a-...
January 14, 2018
Jason Allen is currently the president of Midwestern Baptist Theogical Seminary. Dr. Allen is insightful and passionate about the Gospel. In this book he provides tangible examples and analogies that showcase how the Gospel is at work in our everyday lives. The examples Dr. Allen portrays are relevant to everyone, and the supporting references are Biblically sound and derived directly from scripture. Most of the Biblical references are taken from the new CSB translation.
This book examines how the Gospel relates to and inserts itself into every facet of your life, from the womb to present day and everything in between. Topics covered are marriage and family, money, vocation and recreation, your thoughts and actions, your church, and every other aspect of your daily life. The Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission are emphasized, as well as the importance of worshipping with a local church.
I highly recommend this book to all Christians, as well as anyone wanting a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian. This would also be an excellent resource to include in a new member curriculum or as a gift for a new believer. I received this as a free ARC from B&H Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book examines how the Gospel relates to and inserts itself into every facet of your life, from the womb to present day and everything in between. Topics covered are marriage and family, money, vocation and recreation, your thoughts and actions, your church, and every other aspect of your daily life. The Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission are emphasized, as well as the importance of worshipping with a local church.
I highly recommend this book to all Christians, as well as anyone wanting a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian. This would also be an excellent resource to include in a new member curriculum or as a gift for a new believer. I received this as a free ARC from B&H Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2018
Really like the aspect of this book and though I didn’t agree with all of it, I think there was a lot of beneficial insight.
May 5, 2018
This book was GREAT! This was the first time I have read an entire book in less than 24 hours, and I was able to accomplish this because of the simplicity of the language in this book. This book is an encouragement to the Christian and truly reveals how Jesus redeems every aspect of our lives, (not just cosmetic/outward appearances). 5/5.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews