Chasing Infinity

by Mark Liederbach

Being a disciple and making disciples is fundamentally “a chase of the infinite One forever.” This is the calling we are gathered to, and the pursuit we call others to join. This is win, build, send, as biblical narrative, and it’s a beautiful, compelling story.

As a former Cru staff member, now seminary professor, Dr. Liederbach is uniquely able to take Cru’s ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication, and situate it soundly in the biblical text. And what we find, from Genesis to Revelation, is an unfolding plan of Discipleship as the Pursuit of Infinite Treasure. That is, being a disciple and making disciples is fundamentally “a chase of the infinite One forever.” This is the calling we are gathered to, and the pursuit we call others to join. This is win, build, send, as biblical narrative, and it’s a beautiful, compelling story.

Genres: Discipleship, Christian, Spirituality, Christian Living

193 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Matt Koser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful, brief book on a biblical theology of discipleship. (Read for seminary discipleship class)

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My ⭐️ rating criteria
- ⭐️: I absolutely did not like or totally disagreed with the book and would recommend that no one else read it
- ⭐️⭐️: the book was below average style or content, wouldn’t read it again, but wouldn’t beg people not to read it necessarily
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️: a fine book, some helpful information (or a decent story, for the handful of novels I read), didn’t disagree with too much, enjoyed it decently well
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: a very good book, information was very helpful, mostly agreed with everything, was above-average enjoyable to read
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: life-changing book, I enjoyed it more than most other books, I want to read it again in the future, I will be telling everyone to read it for the next few weeks

[Jake Auton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, short little read emphasizing Christ as a treasure to be chased. However, I believe Liederbach's eschatological explanation suffered because of the platonic influence behind his description of the beatific vision. His understanding of the physical body becoming the glorified body seemed misconstrued at times. Yet, the emphasis behind discipleship to train people to chase Christ as treasure was worth the read and made the work enjoyable.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was all really solid, but the writing and illustrations were not as compelling. I was confused about what the book was about because it seemed to have very little content on discipleship. It was more basic theology from creation to eternity. I would have liked for the author to add some practical application.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was there discipleship in the garden prior to the fall? Will there be discipleship in heaven? The answers might not be as simple as you think. Ultimately it comes down to what you actually believe the purpose of discipleship is. In this book Liederbach answers these questions while giving a broad theological overview of discipleship. He walks through the grand narrative of Scripture (creation, fall, rescue and restoration) showing how discipleship is both impacted and implemented at each stage of the meta-narrative.

This book is suitable for both the new and seasoned believer alike. I plan on using it as a first resource in all my discipleship relationships. Currently only available from Cru at:
https://crustier.org/chasing-infinity...
(Oversees friends message me about how to get a digital copy for free.)

[Hannah H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This big-picture book on discipleship was not what I expected, yet offered a refreshing and helpful overview of God’s plan for discipleship. The author did an excellent job of launching from biblical texts to share God’s design for us to engage in a lifelong chase of discipleship, how the Fall impacted that, and what we can hope for in an eternity with Christ as we grow more and more like Him.

While this book didn’t provide any novel or groundbreaking insight for me (hence the 3 stars), I did truly enjoy it and the wording it provided. It feels a tad harsh to give it 3 stars, but a 4-star book is an almost-favorite for me, and this just wasn’t at that level. I do highly recommend it though–particularly as one to read alongside a discipler or disciplee, the former of which I did.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fully acknowledge that my view of this book is skewed by my own failure to finish it in a timely manner. I started this book while on sabbatical last summer, and got most of the way through it during that time - and then failed to finish by the end of summer. I didn't pick it back up until this fall, over a year later - and it was hard to remember all that I had already read. I think I may have to read it through again to give it a more fair review.

I can say that the early chapters, maybe even the full first half of the book, I remember to be pretty eye-opening for a new perspective on discipleship. I remember thinking, "It could be great to have students read this."

[Kendra Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this book— I think the author did a beautiful job of casting vision for the importance of discipleship and how our discipleship in Christ continues beyond our life on earth and into eternity. The beginning and end of the book were exceptionally visionary! The middle of the book is theology dense- I appreciated his theology, but the chapters started to feel pretty dense. I think I would have walked thorough those chapters better had they been condensed into shorter, more digestible segments

[Daniel Rudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why discipleship? Why the pursuit of the holy One? Mark shows that discipleship has never been about a list of rules, but more simply a relentless chase of the Great One who is always ahead, always beyond, always beckoning us forward for more. Higher up and deeper in! Don't bother reading this if you want strategies or how tos, but if u want your chase of Jesus to kick into fifth gear...get to it!

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent primer on the justification/sanctification. However, this book especially shines when it talks about glorification and life after death. The author does a tremendous job laying out the theological foundations for what the beautific vision looks like in actuality. The book does not give enough credence to the beckoning God does through prevenient grace. Thus, the 3 stars.

[Stephen Haddenhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a book on discipleship quite like this before. Not about discipleship at the practical level, but about the vision for discipleship. It made me delight in the gospel and feel the joy of my hope in Jesus.

[Betsy Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading one of my favorite profs' books and loved the perspective he gave on the purpose of discipleship and its eternal aspect. It doesn't end with death. Last chapter in particular was fantastic with much thought-provoking material.

[apl.jn.pstr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to understand discipleship at a new level! Theology first before methodology.

[Joshua Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book!

Discipleship is a infinite journey. The time we have in this life is short, but this book shows how it can have infinite worth. Get this book in your library.

[William Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read on the theological underpinnings of discipleship. Not only instructional, but deeply encouraging as well.

[Chris Nelsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid book but I think this could have been a long blog post or a much shorter book. author had a good concept but not enough to support the full book length

[Dena McGoldrick Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big picture overview of discipleship in the Bible, Gen to Rev and then our future discipleship in Heaven. Easy to read and thorough. I was reminded, convicted and motivated.

[mojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Infinity conveys the purpose behind which we were created, how we lost sight of that, how God reconciled us to our original mission, and what it looks like to pursue that mission for eternity. Liederbach states that our calling is to chase God’s infinite glory as a treasure, which is never exhausted, through eternal discipleship. Even as a believer who knew the written truth behind these concepts, this book was a great reinforcement of the reality that God’s presence is a treasure that ought to be sought after passionately. And, in our search, we shall be exceedingly satisfied—and there will always be more to uncover.

Admittedly, I naturally squirm at the thought of eternity, the fear of potentially becoming bored, or worried to not have a problem to solve, so I was glad to be convicted—both from the author’s narrative and the Scripture he cited—to desire God’s soul-satisfying presence over the pleasures of the world, trusting that I will be pleased beyond measure and beyond my present earthly instincts.

To those who wonder what the purpose of existing is, who shrivel at the thought of forever, who seek meaning for our daily actions, or just recognize an inward yearning for something more … permanent, I encourage you pick this up.