Book Review

2 DIE 4
Ryan Dobson (with Brian Smith)
© James Dobson Inc, Multnomah Publishers.

Review by Jo van Leerdam

2 DIE 4 is the second book by Ryan Dobson. The first, Be Intolerant, urged young Christians to be decisive about their response to Jesus, and to get ‘off the fence’ about tolerating sin. This book takes the next step by encouraging young people to take hold of Jesus as their Saviour, and to live their faith in a very real and life changing way.

I remember reading John White’s The Cost of Commitment and Fred Hartley’s Dare to be Different when I was a teenager. Both books had a strong effect on me because they challenged me to claim Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord, and then live accordingly. If that meant I had to make choices that were hard or unpopular, so be it.

These are the challenges that Ryan Dobson lays down to another generation in 2 DIE 4. The social paradigm has changed, and so has the method of meaningful communication with teenagers. Dobson uses contexts with which teens today are familiar – extreme sport, risk, heroism, team sports and war. He applies these in various ways in order to demonstrate the importance not only of having a commitment to what you do in life, but also being able to trust your leader.

In 2 DIE 4 the writers establish that Christian faith isn’t some trendy accessory that we can pin onto our shirt or slip into a wallet. Faith in Jesus has to be something we’re willing to die for, either as martyrs or in the sense of dying to self and to the demands of the sinful nature. Faith in Jesus should be life changing and its effects should be irreversible. If we are serious about faith, there are elements of it that are not optional.

Dobson doesn’t mince his words. He puts living and dying for our faith in the context of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus died for me so I should be willing to die for Him, in whatever sense He may call me to do so. The bottom line is that our faith isn’t just something we can take for granted, nor should we condone other Christians around us being complacent about their faith or the impact Christ has on our lives.

Dobson’s teaching is scriptural and thought provoking. The message is presented with strength and conviction, yet in a conversational style which is both easy to read and very interesting.

This book comes complete with a great discussion guide, so that it can be used for study for small groups or youth groups as well as for individual reading and benefit. While it would be especially helpful for cell groups or study groups that are predominantly male teenagers or young adults, 2 DIE 4 is suitable for all teens and young adults, and for those who work with them in any church or social setting.

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