Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad

Broken-Down House, Living Productively in a World Gone Badby Paul David Tripp (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2009), pp. 223, paper $12.99Paul Tripp uses the metaphor of a house, desperately in need of repair, and about to collapse, to describe our sinful, fallen world. Christians are dwelling in this broken-down house; how is it that we should live? The author states his thesis clearly:So, that’s what this book is about. What does it look like on a practical level to live well in a broken-down world that is being restored? What does it look like to live a restoration lifestyle—to live productively in a broken place? What does it look like to function as one of God’s tools of restoration?Tripp gets lots of things right in this book, covering numerous subjects such as God’s sovereignty, anger, the need for activism, community, and grace. The reader will resonate with different themes based on their particular needs or place in life. My favorite discussion wrapped around hope and waiting. “Hope is a confident expectation of a guaranteed result” Tripp tell us (p. 104). Linked with hope is eternity. Christianity makes no sense without eternity, and hope in eternity will shape the way we think and live in the present (p. 114). The experience of living in the broken-down world causes us to long for eternity (pp. 122-123). But hope, while grounded on truth, is a choice. We “do not live life based on the cold, objective facts of our experience, but on our interpretation of our experience” (p. 79).While not fully developed, Tripp’s kingdom-now theology, and his social justice tendencies, which surfaced in full force a decade after Broken-Down House’s publication, can be observed. This is especially obvious in part two of the book entitled “Doing” (part one is “Knowledge”). He correctly sees our world as broken-down and in need of restoration. However, he confuses the Christian’s efforts to aid in the restoration project now with God’s plan for renewal in eternity (pp. 137-146). Tripp believes the world is being renewed presently and God is using Christians in the rebuilding project, and he uses a number of scriptures and examples as proof-texts. He seems to confuse, however, the believer’s position as lights in the world with a call for cultural change. He is right to encourage acts of good deeds and actions of love, mercy, and justice (p. 144). He is also correct that “God’s agenda is the complete renewal of everything.” But he is wrong to believe this renewal is a gradual process, taking place presently through the activism of believers. The Lord will ultimately create a new heaven and earth; our task is to live as lights in this crumbling world, drawing people out of Satan’s kingdom into God’s, and glorifying the Lord in all things. The restoration of the broken-down house we presently inhabit is the Lord’s task at a future time.Again, while hints of kingdom-now theology, and social justice philosophy are evident, they are not fully developed and are only a minor distraction in an otherwise valuable book.Reviewed by Gary E. Gilley, Pastor/teacher at Southern View Chapel.

I experienced it this morning when I woke up and I haven't gone one hour without be reminded by the reality of its presence. I live in a broken-down house. No, I am not talking about my home in Forest Lake, I am talking about this world and everyone in it--including myself.This current state of affairs is the result of man's sin. God created a beautiful world and yet we rebelliously thought we could rule and manage it better than He could. The folly of our decision is seen all around us. If you need some convincing, read the headlines, watch the news, check your friend's Facebook status, and talk to people and you will know what I mean. However, the good news is that the Creator of this house is in a glorious restoration process based on His Son's work on the Cross. Through His Son, Jesus, He is committed to redeeming what is now broken. He has and is in the process of transforming sinners into Christ-like beings through GRACE. Yes, if we are truly saved it's because we are recipients of grace. Only people who understand their sinfulness can properly appreciate the magnitude of this grace, and only those who have experienced this grace can truly be honest and courageous enough to deal with their sinfulness. It is hard to be productive when everything is a mess. I can't stand having my desk cluttered much less a house in half-disrepair. I remember several years ago when we were refinishing the floors in our kitchen and dining room. I found, at times, it almost debilitating to do anything while the mess/project was still open. We are called to live in a house that is broken-down and is in the process of renovation and we are called to live productively. How?Paul David Tripp gives a wise and winsome answer to this question as He biblically takes on the subjects of sin, grace, hope, sanctification, faith, waiting, righteous anger, love, ministering, community and worship in his book--Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad. This is a book that, thought delivered from Amazon.com, was a timely message from God to my soul over the past two weeks.Tripp warns us of the dangers of location and identity amnesia. We practically or functionally forgot where we live and who we really are. We live in a broken-down house and as Christians our identity is founded upon the two pillars of sinner and child of grace. He does a great job explaining and illustrating what he means and how this practically plays itself out in real life--in marriage, parenting, work, church, ministry, hardships, disappointments, etc.Needless to say, I highly recommend Paul Tripp (and his other books) and his book - Broken-Down House.

This is one of the most realistic books about life that I have read. Author Paul David Tripp acknowledges that this is a beautiful and broken world. He is neither overly optimistic, like so many books that claim to offer the "key idea or practice" that will unlock everything, nor overly pessimistic, holding out no hope of progress or joy.The book begins with making sure that the reader understands the condition of the world and ourselves. Tripp uses the metaphor of the Broken-Down House to describe our lives and the world. We are called to remember where we are (in a world corrupted by sin one day to be restored) and who we are (sinners who are also children of grace because of the work of Jesus). We are also to trust in God's sovereignty, especially when we can't make sense of life in the broken-down house. Tripp then reminds us that, in contrast to the sovereign God, we are limited, finite creatures, who must not try to usurp God's sovereign place in our lives. We live in proper perspective when we keep our minds fixed on eternity, on the truth that the broken-down house will be restored. Tripp finishes the book with a section on doing. He calls us to reject passivity, pursue community, determine to love, celebrate grace and minister everywhere. The book ends with the truth that we all leave a legacy. This legacy is something we should examine, to see if it honors God.This book was very helpful as I read it with a group of men. The discussions from our readings were very profitable and shed much light on the book.

This book is written by a servant of Our Lord Jesus with a heart sensitive and yet practical in sharing his life's experience.You really need to read this book with honesty and conviction as Paul Tripp opens up the truth and purpose of our commission as ambassadors of Our Lord.The reason I rate this book with five stars? It gives reassuring guidance based on the most important book ever, The Holy Bible.

I don't do much reading but when I do, and it's of a Christian spiritual nature, I am aware of the importance of not reading to just be entertained but for me to digest what I'm reading and for there to be a change in my heart. This book is potentially one of the most significant resources I have come across to help bring together and form my foundational worldview.I love Paul's focus on making massive scriptural truths understandable for everyday people like me and clear ways of how to apply these truths to everyday, mundane moments and routines.The way this material has affected me has literally been heart and life changing. Thanks again Paul!

This book will comfort and challenge you in equal measures: it will affirm that you are no different to any other struggling believer on the planet but also remind you of your unique standing with the Father as a much-beloved child of the King. It's the kind of book that will play on loop in your mind as you go about the rest of your day as God works His gentle fingers into the tissues of your heart.

Must read book

This is the second Paul Tripp book I've read. It's fantastic. Full of truth and insight