Book Club 3 : Eat, Drink & Be Merry
a gospel call to bold enjoyment
Though the Gospel Coffee brick and mortar era is coming to a close, the Gospel Coffee Club project will live on!
We will continue to run book clubs, organize events, and offer creative opportunities—all to the end that you would be conformed to the Image.1
According to that purpose, we are pleased to announce Book Club 3 : Eat, Drink & Be Merry by Ray Ortlund
A friend recommended I listen to this conversation between Gavin Ortlund and his father, Ray.
I did listen; and as a father-to-be with a son on the way, I found the father-son dynamic both touching and inspiring. But my mushy emotions aren’t what you’re here to read about, so I’ll get to the point.
I realized the discussion was primarily about Ray’s new book, which released last month—Eat, Drink & Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Enjoyment.
They discussed how the doctrine of Creation informs how we are to experience this world—that we are to boldly enjoy this Good and Beautiful world that God created for man to have dominion.
I was intrigued; so I acquired a copy of the book using my trusty Audible credit and listened through it over a few days.
The word that has come to mind over and again as I’ve reflected on the book is:
refreshing.
Ray’s message is meant to be an alternative to the constant distractions, anxiety, exhaustion, and relentless grind of our times—a biblical and gospel-rooted call from God to the enjoyment of life and creation.
He presents from Scripture God’s encouragement, even command, that we enjoy the Good gifts He has given—to take risks, embark on adventures, delight in what is Beautiful, savor what is delicious, listen to and follow the interests that call to us.
Even in the church, this message of liberating enjoyment is uncommon. We emphasize the command to deny ourselves and take up our cross—neglecting the call from Ecclesiastes to rejoice and to let your heart cheer you and to walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes.2
Both of these aspects of Life with God are crucial, and a part of following Jesus. The trick is to find the proper balance between them: to learn how to enjoy every Good gift from above and reject the deceitful ploys from below. We want to be rightly guarded against the gratification of sinful desires, but not so on guard that we refuse the gracious gifts of God.
It’s a hard line to walk (a narrow gate you might say). We are not made to be hedonists, consumed by the pleasures of the world. But we are also not made to be ascetics, denying every Good thing.
So if you want to develop the wisdom to fully embrace the enjoyment of life God has called His people to participate in, join us in reading this short, and very sweet, book: Eat, Drink & Be Merry.
How it will work:
This will function identically to our last Book Club! But if you’re new here, let me explain:
If you’re local, you can come pick up a FREE copy of the book at the shop BEFORE MAY 25TH. If you’re joining us from somewhere far away, you’ll have to order your own copy :( but you should have time to order it now and have it before the start date!
Starting June 6th, there will be a post every Saturday following the reading schedule below. The post will have some personal reflections, but also serve as an online meeting place for discussion and dialogue in the comments. You’ll get to share your thoughts and questions, as well as interact with the insights of others!
The only requirement of you is to get that week’s reading done sometime before each Saturday, and be ready to share your insights on the discussion post! (participation in the online discussion is not required—we’d love if you simply followed along with the reading on your own if online discussion isn’t your cup of tea)
Also, we HIGHLY encourage you to invite someone else to join the Book Club with you and meet IN PERSON, if possible! We’d love to hear your thoughts in the online discussion, but nothing can replace real, embodied, face-to-face fellowship, so prioritize that if it’s an option for you.
Here’s the schedule:
6/6 - Chapter 1
6/13 - Chapter 2
6/20 - Chapter 3
6/27 - Chapter 4
7/4 - Chapter 5
7/11 - Chapter 6
7/18 - Chapter 7
If you have any questions: leave a comment here, send us a message on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, or just come to the shop and ask!
Otherwise, come grab a copy of the book or get your own, and join us in this third iteration of Book Club!
Romans 8:29
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10