First of all, let me say that I am so thankful for the Ortlund family and their various ministries. I have personally benefitted from the writings of Ray, Gavin, Dane, and Eric. They write with such an inviting and irenic tone. This is refreshing when everything seems to be polarizing, dogged, and hateful.

Dane is also the author of the best selling book Gentle and Lowly. If you have not read it, stop what you’re doing and order it now. Outside of the Bible, it is easily in my top 5 favorite books of all time.

Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners is a part of a series put out by Union School of Theology and President Michael Reeves, whom I’ve reviewed here. Each book can function as a stand alone, so you don’t necessarily have to read the full series for the benefit. This book is an absolute must read. I try not to give too many 5 star ratings, because it looses it’s value if you just rate everything 5 stars. But, this book (along with Gentle and Lowly) definitely earn the top tier rating.

Ortlund asks the question, “How do we change as Christians?” Or, to put it another way, “How does sanctification work?” Ortlund’s answer:

The basic point of this book is that is that change is a matter of going deeper… Growing in Christ is not centrally improving or adding or experiencing but deepening. Implicit in the notion of deepening is that you already have what you need. Christian growth is about bringing what you do and say and even feel into line with what, in fact, you already are.

He goes on to talk about abiding in Christ and living a life filled with faith and repentance. Pastorally, I think every single Christian should read this book. It offers a corrective to the all too common error of viewing sanctification as merely behavioral modification. It’s more than that. Much more. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.