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An Identity to Die For: Know Who You Are
Who am I and do I really matter? This is a heartfelt cry today, articulated in different ways, often even among professing Christians.
Paul Mallard shows us what the Bible teaches us about our identity as human beings and, more specifically, as Christians. We look at our relationship with God, with the church, with our family and in the workplace. The starting point is the NT book of Ephesians, which is far more relevant than we might think.
The author brings us right into the heart of his family, explaining how Abe, his young grandson, in spite of severe disability from birth, was made by a loving and kind Creator, with unique value and immeasurable dignity. In fact, our dignity as humans stems from the fact that God has created us in his image - how amazing is that!
This is a book which will orientate and reassure us, offering genuine confidence, but it will also move our hearts to praise God for investing such value in human beings like us.
Preface
1 Who am I?
2 Unbelievably blessed
3 Undeservedly rescued
4 Unimaginably transformed
5 Every barrier is down
6 Every person is needed
7 Everyone worships something
8 Against the flow
9 The home - men and women
10 Fight for who you are
11 People of hope
12 More loved than you can imagine
Paul Mallard shows us what the Bible teaches us about our identity as human beings and, more specifically, as Christians. We look at our relationship with God, with the church, with our family and in the workplace. The starting point is the NT book of Ephesians, which is far more relevant than we might think.
The author brings us right into the heart of his family, explaining how Abe, his young grandson, in spite of severe disability from birth, was made by a loving and kind Creator, with unique value and immeasurable dignity. In fact, our dignity as humans stems from the fact that God has created us in his image - how amazing is that!
This is a book which will orientate and reassure us, offering genuine confidence, but it will also move our hearts to praise God for investing such value in human beings like us.
Preface
1 Who am I?
2 Unbelievably blessed
3 Undeservedly rescued
4 Unimaginably transformed
5 Every barrier is down
6 Every person is needed
7 Everyone worships something
8 Against the flow
9 The home - men and women
10 Fight for who you are
11 People of hope
12 More loved than you can imagine
- GenresChristian
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2020
6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 19, 2025
I was very good and just helpful things to think about and reject on being a Christian generally. but it seemed the content didn't tie enough with the theme suggested by title so can't award more than 3 stars
August 26, 2024
If I pick up a book in 2024 on identity, I'm looking for a cultural critique; something Dan Strange-esque that goes out to meet contemporary understandings of who we are and what gives us worth (perhaps particularly focusing on the answers to those questions that young people are exposed to, given the design of the cover). This desire would be confirmed by the hook on the back of my paperback edition, which makes reference to how questions of identity are frequently asked through poetry, art and music. Unfortunately, this book does not do that.
It's more of an introduction to the implications of the gospel for what gives us worth, what we should spend your time on, and what it means to be saved in terms of our standing before the Lord. Which would be completely fine if it had been billed as an accessible, systematic treatment of that subject, or perhaps something to read through with a particularly patient seeker willing to engage with the question, "how does being a Christian change who I am?". But to give the impression of being a thesis interacting with the claims of contemporary culture and then showing why they don't add up is just a false conception of what Mallard does here.
The final nail in the coffin is his attempt to answer that key question by looking at Ephesians. I can well imagine that Ephesians has plenty to say on our identity, and I would be eager to read a book that seeks to exposit Paul's message for the Ephesians and then relate it to who we are and how that works itself out in 2024. Instead, however, Mallard picks and chooses passages from Ephesians that fit nicely, freely choosing other bits of scripture whenever they suit better (as they no doubt do; if we're going to look at the implications of the gospel systematically, why limit ourselves to one epistle?). I would have been completely fine with this, again, if he hadn't set the work up as examining Ephesians for what it says!
I think it right that I finish by saying that I've heard Paul speak on several occasions and found him to speak well and let scripture speak to his audience. I especially found his series in Philippians at Keswick in 2021 particularly helpful. Being used to his usual quality, that's why this book fell so short.
It's more of an introduction to the implications of the gospel for what gives us worth, what we should spend your time on, and what it means to be saved in terms of our standing before the Lord. Which would be completely fine if it had been billed as an accessible, systematic treatment of that subject, or perhaps something to read through with a particularly patient seeker willing to engage with the question, "how does being a Christian change who I am?". But to give the impression of being a thesis interacting with the claims of contemporary culture and then showing why they don't add up is just a false conception of what Mallard does here.
The final nail in the coffin is his attempt to answer that key question by looking at Ephesians. I can well imagine that Ephesians has plenty to say on our identity, and I would be eager to read a book that seeks to exposit Paul's message for the Ephesians and then relate it to who we are and how that works itself out in 2024. Instead, however, Mallard picks and chooses passages from Ephesians that fit nicely, freely choosing other bits of scripture whenever they suit better (as they no doubt do; if we're going to look at the implications of the gospel systematically, why limit ourselves to one epistle?). I would have been completely fine with this, again, if he hadn't set the work up as examining Ephesians for what it says!
I think it right that I finish by saying that I've heard Paul speak on several occasions and found him to speak well and let scripture speak to his audience. I especially found his series in Philippians at Keswick in 2021 particularly helpful. Being used to his usual quality, that's why this book fell so short.
April 30, 2020
I received an ARC from IVPUK, via NetGalley this review is my personal opinion.
What a great book!. I must say I was completely surprised. Pastor Paul Mallard choose in this book the Ephesians(which I love) to go deep in who we are. According to Pastor Paul, we need to understand that I am what God has made me, and what I like about this. Is that in this era, where we find more good advice on how God’s sight we are blameless, that only his grace sustains my life. While reading I truly liked this quote “ There is nothing more toxic for our sense of identity than guilt and shame. These feelings become the lens in which we view ourselves. They shape our emotions and make us feel insecure, worthless, and inadequate”.
In my case, I’ve struggled with this and you know how powerful and amazing is when God shows you the truth. Pastor Paul also talks about how important is for us to surround us in a good community that helps us grow and put each of our gift to God’s glory. That how important is worship and by the power of the Holy Spirit, receive an eye-opening moment. I believe what he says, that the longer we expend in God’s presence, the more I will know his character. And finally how hope is a vital component to my identity.
What I found most unexpected of this book is that I know I am not the only one, that has tried to be good. But Pastor Paul rewrote a powerful and necessary life-changing truth. We are loved, accept it and the more close I am to God I’ll be able to see, talk, think, and act as God want me.
I recommend you take your time, pray to God, answer the questions before each chapter, and prepare yourself for what God will god.
Truly grateful to God, Pastor Paul, and everyone who works to make this book a reality. I pray and hope many could read it and be impacted.
What a great book!. I must say I was completely surprised. Pastor Paul Mallard choose in this book the Ephesians(which I love) to go deep in who we are. According to Pastor Paul, we need to understand that I am what God has made me, and what I like about this. Is that in this era, where we find more good advice on how God’s sight we are blameless, that only his grace sustains my life. While reading I truly liked this quote “ There is nothing more toxic for our sense of identity than guilt and shame. These feelings become the lens in which we view ourselves. They shape our emotions and make us feel insecure, worthless, and inadequate”.
In my case, I’ve struggled with this and you know how powerful and amazing is when God shows you the truth. Pastor Paul also talks about how important is for us to surround us in a good community that helps us grow and put each of our gift to God’s glory. That how important is worship and by the power of the Holy Spirit, receive an eye-opening moment. I believe what he says, that the longer we expend in God’s presence, the more I will know his character. And finally how hope is a vital component to my identity.
What I found most unexpected of this book is that I know I am not the only one, that has tried to be good. But Pastor Paul rewrote a powerful and necessary life-changing truth. We are loved, accept it and the more close I am to God I’ll be able to see, talk, think, and act as God want me.
I recommend you take your time, pray to God, answer the questions before each chapter, and prepare yourself for what God will god.
Truly grateful to God, Pastor Paul, and everyone who works to make this book a reality. I pray and hope many could read it and be impacted.
February 13, 2020
I've been reading chronologically through the book of Acts the the New Testament Epistles. In God's timing, I was reading Ephesians chapters 1 and 2 as I picked up Paul Mallard's new book, An Identity to Die For. I found myself in awe of who God is, touched that God would orchestrate details in such a way!
As I read through An Identity to Die For concurrently with Ephesians, I found Mallard's exploration of what it means to truly find one's identity in Christ to be so refreshing and challenging. He begins with a heart-touching story about his severely disabled grandson and how even he is made uniquely made in God's image and full of value and worth as God's creation. Mallard guides readers on a journey through Ephesians, gently guiding readers to mine God's Word for the truth about who God is and who they are in relation to him. Readers are guaranteed to walk away with a renewed sense of God's grace, love and mercy and how they can walk in those on a daily basis. Each chapter ends with some questions that help readers to dig in to the Word and thoughtfully apply it. I found Mallard's perspective to be refreshing, and interesting even as it challenged me to really believe God's Word and let it transform me from the inside out. For a long time I've felt drawn to the book of Ephesians, and it's no wonder why! Mallard has challenged me to spend more time meditating on the truths in Ephesians, This is one handbook I'll return to over and over as I continue to marinate in the book of Ephesians.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
As I read through An Identity to Die For concurrently with Ephesians, I found Mallard's exploration of what it means to truly find one's identity in Christ to be so refreshing and challenging. He begins with a heart-touching story about his severely disabled grandson and how even he is made uniquely made in God's image and full of value and worth as God's creation. Mallard guides readers on a journey through Ephesians, gently guiding readers to mine God's Word for the truth about who God is and who they are in relation to him. Readers are guaranteed to walk away with a renewed sense of God's grace, love and mercy and how they can walk in those on a daily basis. Each chapter ends with some questions that help readers to dig in to the Word and thoughtfully apply it. I found Mallard's perspective to be refreshing, and interesting even as it challenged me to really believe God's Word and let it transform me from the inside out. For a long time I've felt drawn to the book of Ephesians, and it's no wonder why! Mallard has challenged me to spend more time meditating on the truths in Ephesians, This is one handbook I'll return to over and over as I continue to marinate in the book of Ephesians.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 18, 2020
When authors write about the topic of identity they can take different approaches; the can go from creation to New Creation, or pick up on some of the themes found in Scripture to describe a person, or they use the 'buzzwords' that the world uses to describe who we are as people. This book does none of that, instead Paul Mallard walks through a selected passages of Ephesians to unpack the new identity of the Christian.
If you think of Ephesians as the treasure chest of the identity of a Christian, then this books acts like a secondary aid, a map, to help you plunge the depths of truth about who Christians are in Christ. But why start here? Well since Genesis 3, when one was promised to come who would free man from the cycle of original sin and reunite us with God, God has been at work restoring people and making them more into the likeness of His Son... Full review at https://achalmersblog.com
If you think of Ephesians as the treasure chest of the identity of a Christian, then this books acts like a secondary aid, a map, to help you plunge the depths of truth about who Christians are in Christ. But why start here? Well since Genesis 3, when one was promised to come who would free man from the cycle of original sin and reunite us with God, God has been at work restoring people and making them more into the likeness of His Son... Full review at https://achalmersblog.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
This book carefully and helpfully reminds us of the truths of the faith that give a firm footing when there are challenges to our identity.
There are some precious illustrations and flashes of wry humour. For me none of the arguments were new but they were very helpfully and logically set out.
I was personally less helped by the pattern with such extensive and flow-disruptive quotations from scripture. This is almost certainly not going to be the reaction for most readers who pick up this book.
I also repeatedly felt that using a more colloquial translation would have enhanced the reading experience. The language style for the text was contemporary but the biblical quotations were from the NIV. The use of the NLT would make it more readily comprehensible. (I read the NLT in parallel to the NIV quotations and found that so helpful.)
In summary then, a helpful book written in such a way that it will suit most readers.
There are some precious illustrations and flashes of wry humour. For me none of the arguments were new but they were very helpfully and logically set out.
I was personally less helped by the pattern with such extensive and flow-disruptive quotations from scripture. This is almost certainly not going to be the reaction for most readers who pick up this book.
I also repeatedly felt that using a more colloquial translation would have enhanced the reading experience. The language style for the text was contemporary but the biblical quotations were from the NIV. The use of the NLT would make it more readily comprehensible. (I read the NLT in parallel to the NIV quotations and found that so helpful.)
In summary then, a helpful book written in such a way that it will suit most readers.
September 17, 2023
Such a readable book - simple and honest in the way it is written, but sharing wonderful truth that speaks to the questions many of us have about ourselves and our lives today. Mallard reminds us that each of us human beings is a masterpiece, created in the image of God with inherent dignity. However sin has marred, warped and disfigured us and we are in need of restoration - something that can only be achieved at great cost, by the blood of Jesus.
July 15, 2021
A fantastic book that helps you dwell on our identity in Christ
March 25, 2023
Typical Paul Mallard. Warm and funny with a Biblical punch! Really enjoyed it.
June 5, 2024
A really challenging book that speaks honestly about the challenges we face and the things in life that draw us away and help us forget that fundamentally we are loved by God and our identity lies with him. A reminder if who we are in Christ and what makes up who we really are.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews