Iconic

In Iconic, Mike McGarry explores what it truly means to bear God’s image in the world. He takes the concept of the imago Dei and thoughtfully applies it to the real-life issues and challenges that young people face today.

McGarry excellently addresses many of the same questions I’ve seen youth wrestle with in my own ministry—questions of identity, including sexuality and gender, as well as what it means to belong to the church and to live out a shared, corporate identity rather than one shaped by individualism. He writes with pastoral warmth, clarity, and nuance.

Images of God in Glory

One of the most striking sections of the book examines the idea of iconic righteousness. McGarry looks to Hosea as an icon of God’s steadfast love and challenges believers to confront sin and idolatry with both conviction and compassion. His reminder that truth must always be coupled with love feels especially timely in an age when many aspire to be modern-day prophets but often lack gentleness and grace.

The book concludes with a powerful reflection on the gospel—how we are called to imitate Christ and how, one day, we will be perfected as true images of God in glory. Iconic provides a compelling vision for young believers seeking to live out their faith in a complex world. It’s a call to see ourselves, and one another, as living icons of the God who created and redeems us.

I received a media copy of Iconic (Amazon, 5% off your entire order at Westminster Bookstore with code DIVEINDIGDEEP) and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.