Russell Brand’s new book may be titled “How to Become a Christian in 7 Days” — but that is honestly not what reading it feels like at all.
It’s less a quick step-by-step guide and more the comedian and actor’s testimony about his full surrender to God after years of chasing everything the world tells you will make you happy. Brand has been known for his celebrity lifestyle and controversial past, and these are topics he certainly does not shy away from in the book.
I particularly enjoyed the “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star’s writing style. He is brutally honest about his past, openly discussing how his former life was marked by an idolization of fame, sexual immorality, and selfishness — and centered around his own ego.
At the same time, Brand’s sense of humor shines through on nearly every page. Even when he’s writing about some of the darkest moments of his life, he always seems to have a witty comment up his sleeve. This makes the spiritual memoir feel less like a self-help book and more like a personal conversation with him.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was Brand’s discussion of pride. This deadly sin is something practically everyone has struggled with at one point or another in life. I cannot imagine how much greater that struggle would be for someone surrounded by fame and constant validation from others.
Brand explores this theme deeply, explaining how all the money and attention he received on a daily basis never gave him the fulfillment he was searching for. He comes to realize that true fulfillment only began when he made the decision to turn his life toward God.
This was another great reminder that the things of this world will never give you the same peace and joy that full surrender to God does. It is a recurring theme throughout Brand’s book and is an especially important point for anyone considering turning to Christianity, as the actor did.
At one point, Brand even says, “If you are going to read anything, throw this book out the window and read the Bible.” This line made me laugh, but it also shows his deep desire to be a vessel for leading others to Christ.
Even with all his fame, the now-51-year-old still struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. A lot of what Brand shares gives the impression that he felt empty for much of his life, even at the moments when everything on the outside looked successful.
He recounts many significant hardships throughout the years and opens up about how those experiences shaped his mental and emotional state. This is what eventually pushed Brand to start looking for something more — something deeper than what his celebrity lifestyle could offer.
Some of the most touching parts of the book involve the father of three’s family. Brand writes about how his son’s heart condition forced him to confront questions about suffering and ultimately became a major catalyst in sparking his faith journey. He also shares stories about his beloved dog, Bear, and how experiences with both his son and Bear helped soften his heart and draw him closer to God.
The tongue-in-cheek title of the book might lead someone to think that becoming a Christian is a quick process that anyone can master in a single week. But, especially in Brand’s case, becoming a Christian is more often a years-long process of overcoming sin, choosing to surrender, and continuing to do so until every single day becomes complete surrender to God.
There is no actual timeline you can put onto anyone’s religious conversion. This is a reality Brand is very aware of and is extremely sympathetic to. The seven steps he lays out are very important aspects of becoming a Christian, but they’re not something that — most likely — can be mastered in just 168 simple hours.
It is rare to see someone publicly admit that everything they built their identity around ultimately led them to so much pain and unhappiness. Yet, the openness that Russell Brand has throughout this book is something very much needed.
At its heart, this book is the story of a man who spent years worshipping himself, only to discover that everything he was looking for had been pointing him toward Christ the entire time. You can really feel his passion for faith as he shares the glory of God with others, and “How to Become a Christian in 7 Days” is absolutely worth the read.
(DCNF)
