Zealot, by Reza Aslan

Though this book has created much controversy, that fact alone insists that it be read. Curiously, despite the fact that there is nothing new presented in this book, Aslan weaves the long established into a very readable account. Sadly, for many folks, much that he has written will be new. The temptation will be, as has been exhibited by the the vehemence of his critics, that the author has intentionally crafted his narrative as an original work with the sole, misguided intention of defeating faith in Christ. These antagonistic notions merely underscore the narrow mindedness that pervades Christian education from Sunday school to seminary.

Aslan parses out the difference between the historical probabilities of Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ that was created for religious purposes. His accounting of the details of history create a plausible rendering of the sequence and development of events – one that should not be thoughtlessly discounted simply because it isn’t familiar or pleasing. There are just too many details, too many facts of history, that require our consideration.

Having said all that, there are interpretations of scripture used in this book, used to bolster the author’s perspective, that may be honestly understood differently. Whatever the case, this book is a must read.

Jesus – a Theography, by Len Sweet & Frank Viola

Other than in John’s gospel, have you ever read a book about the life of Christ that roots His existence in eternity? So much is written about His last week, but can the events leading up to the cross, the resurrection, and ascension ever be grasped apart from His eternal context? Can we truly appreciate Jesus of Nazareth without knowing Him as the Creator God?

I have asked that to underscore the fact that this is not ‘just’ another book about Christ. Sweet and Viola are the dynamic duo who presented us with ‘Jesus Manifesto’. If that treatise deepened your walk with Jesus, you’ll be more enriched by this new volume as it digs far deeper into the metaphors and symbols of the One we cherish as both Savior and Lord. In sixteen chapters this Sweet and Viola begin their story before time, lead us through time, and finally help us see beyond time. They pull together His whole story in a manner, if we really grasp its full significance, that ought to seriously reshape our worldview and thus the way we live each day. Enjoy.

Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha…

In what has now become normative from McLaren, this most recent book invites the reader to stand outside his or her usual bubble in order to see and to carefully consider the issues of our day. Having cut loose from the busyness and conformity requirements of institutional religion, the author has become free to contemplate and imagine more Christ-like responses for our 21st century world.

This book comes alongside a growing trend among respected spiritual leaders who seek unity in diversity. How can the many different religious beliefs co-exist in a smaller and smaller world? How can we honor and remain faithful to our own beliefs, yet respect the beliefs of others? What will it take to move beyond a ‘my way or the highway’ mentality in a world that will always have a multitude of religious notions, yet they are increasingly mixed within rather than isolated by geography? What are the obstacles and what are some of the possible solutions? What will be the consequences if we neglect to deal with this subject?

I appreciated the shortness of each of the 29 chapters as well as the the clear division of the book into for parts – The Crisis of Christian Identity, The Doctrinal Challenge, The Liturgical Challenge, and The Missional Challenge. On the other hand, I’m not a big fan of ‘how to’ or ‘how the’ books – which is the way each chapter begins. I appreciate brief stories, appropriate quotations, and an abundance of references. Yet, I didn’t find the author’s writing style crisp enough to clearly and convincingly deliver his message. Maybe this was because he tried to cover to much in one book or maybe he is still thinking through many of these ideas. Whatever the case, it is a worthwhile, thought-provoking read.

Viral Jesus, by Ross Rohde

Why isn’t Christianity spreading as it once did? Why does exponential church growth seem to have been characteristic of the early church, but has been curiously absent from most of the rest of Christian history? What has been missing and how can we get it back? Is it even possible?  If so, what would be the essential ingredients to duplicate the explosive growth of the first century in our twenty-first century?

Rohde meticulously investigates the why and why nots of a ‘viral’ Jesus. There is, as a result, much to commend in his research, much to prayerfully consider and to wrestle through. If the gospel is the ‘power of God for salvation’, why don’t we see much more power and a whole lot less of the mere perennially ineffective talk?

The manner in which the author approached this topic presents with a double edged sword. Though I was blessed by the content of Rohdes book, I found his pervasive and sometimes even abrasive assertiveness strangely resonate with the very problem he identified.  In other words, Christendoms doctrinal exactness and unwavering religious certainty left little room for the power of the Spirit to work, yet this same spirit of exactness and unwavering certainty was duplicated in the authors style of presentation. How does one, then, critique the structures that lie at the root of the ‘anti-viral’ problem within Christendom, without utilizing similarly life-extinguishing ‘structures’ in the process identifying the problem? Does it ‘take one, to know one’? I would be curious if others detected this same process-paradox.

That being said, if you take seriously the command to go forth and make disciples, you won’t want to miss the many gems of thought within this book. I particularly appreciated this statement:

“This is all about Jesus. The important thing is not that Christians have gathered, but that Jesus the King is among them. If Christians gather, you have a group of Christians. When Jesus shows up, you have a church.” p. 5.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

The Gospel According to Jesus, by Chris Seay

An important book for new Christians as well as for those who have been ‘in the way’ for sometime, but have not connected with Jesus. Chris helps the reader identify and jettison the plethora of religious obstacles from the spiritual teachings of Jesus. Lo and behold, the reader discovers that the truth is not religious rules at all, but the Person Jesus. He alone is the Truth.  This is not exactly earth-shattering news for many of us, but – unfortunately – it is for far too many Christians.

Chris began his book with a survey he commissioned through Barna. The question was carefully designed to grasp just how Christians conceived the word: ‘righteousness’. Whether unwittingly and/or just wrongly taught, many folks have come to understand righteousness in terms of things rather than Person. With a ‘thing’ oriented foundation, the Christian life will be built with lots of judgmental attitude rather than grace-oriented love for others – making for a rather distasteful religious presentation.

The author ended each chapter with interviews which, in most cases, creatively expanded and deepened the previous discussion.  Over all, Seay’s writing style is easy to read and his progression of chapters are laid out adequately to convey his thesis.The gospel of Jesus is all about a change in heart that takes place not through teeth-gritting self-discipline, but through the persistent power of a Spirit-led life.

Jesus Manifesto, by Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola

I’ve read several books written by both authors.  They were good, informative, uplifting even.  Curiously, this collaborative book touched me in ways neither author has in any of their previous works.  This book truly resonated deeply within my soul.  In fact, as I’ve mentioned to several friends, if I could have written a book, this would have been it.  It really captured the heart of what I, as a preacher, have tried to share. Thankfully I don’t need to write what has now already been so eloquently written.  

The church was designed to be the messenger, the vehicle, through which Jesus – His Life, our true Light – is seen and read and experienced. He is the Head of the church, His ‘body’.  Sadly, the church has been running around for centuries with its ‘Head’ cut off.  However even ‘usefully’ active, a ‘headless’ body is always a ‘dead’ body.  The church has gotten the proverbial cart before the horse.  It has ‘used’ Jesus to promote itself.  Yet, apart from Him it is only a secular institution masquerading as His ‘beloved’.  The church, as the authors wrote, seems to like itself more than it likes Jesus.

So, how do we get our Head screwed on right again?  The authors, in this book, lead the way. First acknowledge the problem as real. Second, let Jesus’ life be the core of who you are – not for merely a slice of your life on Sunday, but 24/7.  Third, this does not mean knowing more about Jesus, but knowing Him personally, inwardly.

Need coaching on how to really make this work?  Get their book.  Read their book.  Share this book in groups.  Ask the Lord to give you the courage to take seriously the high calling we have in Christ. 

Don’t get distracted by pseudo-Christianity.  Genuine Christianity is, and will always be, all about Jesus.  Present your whole existence as a living sacrifice to Him. Let Christ be seen through the uniqueness of who you are.

“He died to take Himself out of heaven and deposit Himself in you.” (p. 170).  Let it be so.

Searching For God Knows What

Searching For God Knows What, written by Donald Miller, was first published in 2004 and recently republished in an expanded version in 2010.

I always am blessed as I interact with the mind of this author.  I like the way he ruminates about the things of God.  I appreciate his willingness to ponder outside what some may called the orthodox lines.  Don has an unassuming way of weaving into fascinating stories some truly synapse-screaming notions.

As I read through this book I found myself wondering who Don’s style of writing reminded me of.  Finally it came to me.   I imagine him as a cross between pastor/author Brian McLaren and children’s book author/online game designer Jeff Kinney – best known for his Diary of the Whimy Kid.

Donald is a story teller. If you enjoy well developed and rather lengthy illustrations cleverly designed to buttress up the theological point he is about to make, then you will not be able to put this book down.  If you prefer a no-nonesense book that cuts-to-the chase and/or colors only within your current and comfortable ‘bubble’ lines then – find another author of your own peculiar ‘feather’.  

Much of what Don discusses in this book are ideas currently being discussed within the Emergent literature of this last decade.  In fact, if you are not familiar with, yet intrigued by, emergent theology then Don’s book would be a gentle first step across the coals to see if they are too toasty for your twinkies.   On the other hand, if you’ve been reading McLaren, Frost, Cole, Tickle, Rollins, Hirsch, or many other emerging church authors, Don’s book will come across rather light-weight.  He raises many legitimate issues, but often stops short of the proverbial precipice from which others appear to delight in diving off from.

Finally, you’ve got to love this mans heart for God. His faith, his intergrity, his authenticity, his blessed twist of mind, and his gift for openly expressing in words what he is thinking will touch your heart as it does mine.