Iconic - by Mike McGarry (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

At the core, what makes you "You"? Is it the way you look? Your family? Your accomplishments? The more you try to look within, the more confusing it can become. The good news is, your identity is a gift from God, not something you have to discover within yourself. For those who follow Christ, their identity is always secure in him.

God created us to be his image-bearers, as icons who remind the world of his majesty and nature. When we discover our purpose in his big story, it helps us make sense of our individual stories. In Iconic, you will see how being and bearing God's image helps you discover your own identity as a loved child of God and shapes your relationship with him, others, and yourself.

Review Quotes

"The imago Dei is an important doctrine for the ages and especially for our times. With biblical clarity and pastoral sensitivity, Iconic explains what it means to be made in God's image. It also addresses tensions, questions, and objections that accompany issues like sexuality and gender with wisdom and care. Moreover, every chapter is grounded in the gospel of grace. I wouldn't hesitate to hand this book to any teenager or young adult. Buy two: one for yourself and one for a friend or fellow parent and read it together!"
Jonathan K. Dodson, Founder, GCdiscipleship.com; author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship

"Iconic is a much-needed gift to Christian youth, young adults, and those who lead and love them. Mike McGarry not only helps readers understand and delight in the truth of their being made in God's image but also equips them to grow as thoughtful, faithful readers of Scripture. Along the way, he masterfully models how to connect the dots theologically, making this a deeply formative, engaging, and timely read."
Danielle (Dani) Treweek, Author of Single Ever After; Sydney Anglican Diocesan Research Officer

"In Iconic, Mike McGarry sets young people on the course of discovering who they truly are, giving them the sure foundation on which to see, understand, and navigate all of life to the glory of their identity-giving Maker! This book is a roadmap for human flourishing in a culture of mass identity confusion."
Walt Mueller, President, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

"Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World by Mike McGarry is a great resource that should be in every person's library. Being made in the image of God is a beautiful truth that all believers should understand and live out on a daily basis to impact the world around them for the glory of God. This book can help you do that. Get this for yourself and get copies to hand out as a blessing to others."
Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director, North American Mission Board (NAMB); author of Calling Out the Called

"Identity is the most significant issue facing young people today because it's foundational to every aspect of their lives and directly relates to the most prominent issues in our culture. In Iconic, my friend Mike McGarry provides a helpful resource that connects the theological dots with theological, spiritual, and practical implications of grounding our understanding of identity in the image of God."
Scott Pace, Provost, Dean of Graduate Studies, Jim Shaddix Chair of Expository Preaching, Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry, SEBTS

"Mike McGarry is respected nationally because of his theological precision and for keeping student ministry grounded in Scripture. Thus, he is just the right one to address the timely topic of identity--first as human beings and then as individuals. We will all celebrate when Mike's young readers begin to declare: 'We are living icons, pointing to the greater reality of who God is and what he's like.'"
Richard Ross, Senior Professor of Student Ministry, Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, TX

"Christians often say that humans are made in the image of God, but what does that actually mean? McGarry explores how the foundational truth of image-bearing establishes our identity, guides our thinking, and forms our relationships with God, self, and others. Profound, pastoral, and practical, Iconic will bless both teenagers and the adults who read it with them."
Anna Meade Harris, Senior Director of Content, Rooted Ministry; author of God's Grace for Every Family

"Mike McGarry leads readers through challenging issues facing youth and young adults today, providing a much-needed theological grounding to the journey. Neither simplistic nor unnecessarily complicated, Iconic reminds readers of the dignity and goodness of human life created and restored in the image of God."
Graham Stanton, Director, Ridley Centre for Children's and Youth Ministry, Melbourne, Australia

About the Author

Mike McGarry, DMin, is the youth pastor at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA and is passionate about translating sound doctrine for the next generation. He is a regular contributor to the Rooted Ministry and is the author of A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry and a contributor to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry. He loves his wife, kids, pets, good coffee, football, and Marvel comics.