A book review of Mark Turman and Ryan Denison’s “Who Am I?” 

In the spirit of full disclosure, I know both authors of this book fairly well. We work together at Denison Ministries. The question, of course, is can I be objective in writing this review in light of the personal relationship I have with the authors? I believe so. I know Mark and Ryan well enough to know they’d be disappointed if I wasn’t open and objective. 

This book is not what I expected it to be. 

I was expecting a delineated account of how our culture has gotten to where it is on “identity” (nonbinary gender, “preferred” pronouns, and identifying as a different gender than the one at birth). I thought it might be a “how-to” book on having these discussions with family members of those experiencing these phenomena. 

It’s not. It’s something better. 

While these issues are discussed toward the end of the book, this book does not focus on them. Instead, this book is for all of us who in the past (or currently) ask questions like, “Why am I here?”, “Why am I the way I am?”, “Where is my life headed?”.

It provides the bedrock biblical essentials of what it means to be human and how our identity develops. Rather than letting “feelings” define our identity, Who Am I? contends that we let the Creator do it.

But, how?

Establishing a biblical foundation for identity

Mark Turman begins this book by exploring some of the key passages that frame the biblical view and, thereby, God’s view of human identity with chapters titled:

1. Let Me See Your ID (Is there a right way and a wrong way to approach identity?) 
2. Hearing the Hard Truths About Ourselves (Romans 5:12-21) 
3. Who Am I, Really? (Ephesians 1:1-14)
4. The Birthplace of Identity (Mark 12:28-34)
5. The World’s Greatest Lovers (John 15:1-17)

 You must start with the creator, God, or you will never find your true identity (Psalm 139:13-16).

Ryan Denison authors the second part of Who Am I?, and delves into what it means when Scripture tells us that we are made in God’s image. Ryan contends that Scripture and the practical realities of life reinforce that God’s way is best. To do so Ryan tackles identity-forming building blocks like:

• Immutable characteristics: Unchangeable aspects of who we are that we have no say in choosing but are fundamental characteristics of how we see ourselves. They arguably include race, gender, and sexuality. But, do we assign them more importance than God intended for them to have? 
• Worldviews: Identity shapes how we see the world around us, and he describes how seeing the world through God’s lens impacts every other facet of our lives. All of us face the temptation to find a voice other than God’s to define how we see the world. As such, we must maintain a biblical understanding of our identity or get consumed by the world’s warped, feelings-based perspective. 
• Insecurities: Whether real or perceived, our fears and insecurities often define how we see ourselves. Trusting God to meet our needs is a key aspect of understanding who we are in Christ. Mistaking what we want for what we need can cause us to doubt the Lord’s goodness and seek to meet those “needs/wants” in ways that lead us away from him.

Replacing God as the source of our identity has been a problem from the beginning. The Bible is filled with examples from great men of faith like King David to the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day. Because God created us in his image, navigating life in this world will always be enhanced by seeking him and his truth. 

Building on bedrock

Ultimately, Who Am I? will help you hear “God’s voice calling you away from the myriad of self-identifying strategies offered from our secular culture, and toward the place of receiving your identity as a gift from the One who created you, the Savior who died for you, and the Spirit who longs to guide you daily.”

I am not so sure that this book might not be best read starting with the second half followed by the first half. Perhaps understanding more clearly how our culture influences/misguides human identity will amplify the importance of a biblical understanding of God’s design. 

Ryan writes, “…helping the lost understand not only what the Bible teaches about our identity but why it’s worth following God’s word is among the most loving pursuits we can have in this life. And even if others don’t always see it that way, God does, and he says it is worth the cost.” (page 137) 

I live in a house built on clay soil that expands and contracts with the rainfall, or lack thereof. The shifting clay has caused breaks in our foundation that jeopardized the integrity of the house built on it. Over the years, we have had many, many piers installed that connect the foundation to the immovable bedrock beneath the clay. Being supported by the bedrock brings stability to the foundation and integrity to the house. 
Who Am I? will connect you to the immovable bedrock of identity designed by our Creator and revealed in his word.