About a week ago, I started listening on Audible to Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others by Zachary Levi. I was so hooked that I was frustrated when I reached my destination. For the next few days, I was glad to be driving, since it meant I could listen to more of this riveting autobiography.
Technically, it’s not a complete autobiography. Rather, it’s an autobiographical journey of one man’s struggle through abuse, trauma, depression, self-esteem, and mental health. Levi pulls the lid off his life and opens up in a way that’s deeply moving.
Moving and powerful.
Zachary Levi is the star of one of my favorite TV series: Chuck. An action comedy series about an unwitting spy who gets national secrets dumped in his brain, the NBC show ran for five seasons.
He’s also the star of the movie Shazam, which I’ve not seen – but a sequel is coming next year.
Zach Levi is a professing Christian, though it strikes me as a “Hollywood” progressive-style Christianity. It’s the kind of Christianity that flirts with other belief systems and tries to be as non-objectionable as possible. In other words, it’s not exactly biblically grounded or theologically robust.
You’ll see from his book that he’s not super grounded biblically on some of the issues he addresses. And in a few cases, his words were cringe-worthy, like associating God with “energy.” Seriously?
Still, it is refreshing to have a Hollywood celebrity who is at least friendly towards Christianity.
A word of warning: The language in Radical Love is rough. Very rough. Even vulgar at times. The “F” word appears throughout. And most of my blog readers will likely (and understandably) find that objectionable.
Therefore, I’m not recommending this book theologically. In fact, if you’re looking for a biblically-based, theologically edifying treatment of the subject of love… look elsewhere.
But…
For anyone who has struggled with low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety and/or who has been the victim of abuse and mistreatment, this book is powerful. If you’re in one or both of those categories, I believe this book will speak to your heart in a way few other books can.
There’s something powerful about a celebrity opening up his heart and his life — and saying “Here’s my story. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Maybe it can help you.”
Mental health is a major problem in American society today. And it doesn’t get enough attention.
My mother suffered from depression (as well as many other health issues). And my sister is severely mentally impaired. I also have other relatives and friends who have struggled with mental illness and/or have experienced severe emotional trauma.
And, as a pastor, I deal with mental and emotional health situations on a regular basis. I’m not alone. I frankly believe pastors in general deal with more situations along these lines today than EVER before!
For these reasons, we need books like this one. We need to hear stories like those which Zach Levi is sharing in his book.
While I differ with Zach on some of his theology, I nevertheless strongly agree with his core premise, which is…
We must love ourselves and each other.
Our broken and deeply divided society NEEDS that kind of radical love.
So, I understand if some of you choose not to read this because of the language. I do. And I’m not dismissing my theological differences with Zach.
But… overall… I think our society needs this book.
