What Would I Say to a Young Christian Reading John Mark Comer?

I was asked to give a pastoral and general take. Here it is.

A pastor asked me what I would say to a 25-year-old devouring John Mark Comer’s books. And he also wanted to know my general take on JMC.

Pastoral Response

First, I'd be thrilled to see a young man reading! It seems rare to see people reading actual books, let alone Christian books. I would cheer this brother on and be careful not to discourage him.

Next, I'd ask him diagnostic/pastoral questions like, "What did you like? What did you want to learn more about? What stuck with you? Didn't understand? Disagreements?" I'd want to see and hear how he is processing and being formed by what he's reading.

Third, and this is big, I'd ask him if he wants to read a few books together. I suggest going deeper with some of the sources Comer quotes. But I'd avoid the Roman Catholic Mystics that JMC has a strong affinity for. I'd begin with Augustine's Confessions. Then, I would pivot to Luther's A Simple Way to Pray, Calvin's On the Christian Life, John Owen's The Mortification of Sin, and more. Schedule times to meet, discuss the reading, pray together, and teach him how to pray the Psalms. Fill his shelves. Fill his heart. Shepherd him.

My General Take on Comer’s Work

What I love about Comer is how he wants to point people toward fellowship with Christ. It's a Christ-pointing spirituality. One general concern is that he quotes a lot of unsavory mystics—the kind of stuff I wouldn't quote as it could be perceived as an endorsement or even a red carpet to read more. The Puritans offer a doctrinal and affectional spirituality. Go there!

Further, I wish he were more practical. He's very philosophical. Comer is a big Dallas Willard guy (a philosophy professor). This makes Comer insightful but not as straightforward. When listening to Practicing the Way, I remember thinking about his answer on how to be/abide with Jesus: "Just be with Jesus." I said aloud, "C'mon. Tell people to listen to his voice in the Word, to pray to him, to meditate on the Word, his person and work, etc." He does that a little. But I wish he were more straightforward about being in the Word. I almost get the impression that he downplays the intake of the Bible.

In Practicing the Way, I could be wrong or misremembering, but repentance is not featured in his discussion of spiritual formation/the Christian life. Confession is taught, but sadly, repentance is not (p.95). Comer is not going to give a detectable gospel-centered framework. I wish he were more explicit about the atonement and regeneration. I'm concerned that an unbeliever—especially an unbeliever who thinks they are a believer—could read Comer, do what he says, and still be dead in their sins.

A significant concern is found when Comer writes on page 136, as he defines the gospel, “And through apprenticeship to Jesus, we can enter into this kingdom and into the inner life of God himself.” That’s just not true. That’s anti-grace. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. God’s work of grace, not discipleship, transfers us into his Kingdom (Col 1:13). I get what JMC is trying to say, but it is a clunky and sloppy way to say it. It reads as works-based righteousness and eternal life. I doubt he believes that (I hope he doesn’t!). But it needs clarifying. An editor should have snagged that.

When you read Practicing the Way, you will not be reminded or confronted with the work of Christ. Now, Comer is right to show Jesus as our model. That is Comer's mega-theme. But Jesus is more than just a model for the Christian life. Jesus as the crucified Christ and risen Lord is the message of the Christian life (Matt–John). Jesus is the means of the Christian life (Gal 2:20). And he's the motivation, too (2 Cor 5:15). We need to:

• Believe Jesus (initial + ongoing repentance and faith)

• Be with Jesus

• Become like Jesus (character and love)

Others, like Wyatt Graham, have contributed thoughtful reviews and concerns of Comer’s work. Part of the problem in some spiritual formation talk today is when we frame things in a way—from grammar, word choice, and quotes—so it sounds more profound, ancient, and more "spiritual." So many talk about "naming" things, being in that "space," doing the "work," contemplative prayer, and so on. Here's what I want to clearly say about spiritual formation: Read the Bible, pray the Bible, meditate on the Bible, believe Jesus, depend on the Spirit, fellowship with other believers, serve your church, pursue holiness, and live for the glory of God.

Comer is brilliant, a stellar communicator and writer, nonabrasive, pleasant, and funny. He is tapping into the younger generations' longing for a serious faith. Praise the Lord! So, let's join them in this pursuit. Let’s take them deeper into church history. Let’s go deeper into spiritual formation—deeper with Christ and in his Word.

Summary: What would I say to a young Christian reading JMC? “Hey, wanna read some more stuff on spirituality with me? Let’s go to the 17th century. You’ll love it.”