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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I have found that so many followers of Jesus can’t separate their Christianity from their patriotism. That being a right-wing conservative is synonymous with following Jesus. Jesus wasn’t a white American republican. He was a brown, homeless man. He told us to love our enemies. He broke down social and political barriers. Yet Christians sit safely inside their church buildings and let “more qualified” people do the work. It’s time for the Church to wake up and stand up for the oppressed in our society. We are all missionaries - NOW - and I think that Shane does a great job of calling the Church to action, and telling personal stories of transformation that can happen when we truly follow Jesus.
“The only thing harder that hatred is love. The only thing harder than war is peace. The only thing that takes more work, tears, and sweat than division is reconciliation. But what more beautiful things could we devote our lives to?”
“Our big visions for multiculturalism and reconciliation will make their way into the church only when the hey are first lived out in real relationships, out of our homes and around our dinner tables and in our living rooms. Perhaps this is why Jesus begins it all by sitting around a table with a Roman tax collector, a Zealot revolutionary, a fisherman, a Pharisee, and a prostitute.”
“The only thing harder that hatred is love. The only thing harder than war is peace. The only thing that takes more work, tears, and sweat than division is reconciliation. But what more beautiful things could we devote our lives to?”
“Our big visions for multiculturalism and reconciliation will make their way into the church only when the hey are first lived out in real relationships, out of our homes and around our dinner tables and in our living rooms. Perhaps this is why Jesus begins it all by sitting around a table with a Roman tax collector, a Zealot revolutionary, a fisherman, a Pharisee, and a prostitute.”
I began this book expecting to be called to a new monasticism as Shane practices it at his community in North Philadelphia, but instead I was called in a prophetic way to examine how I interact with fellow Christians, view the actions of my government, and pursue Christ's will in my life, my family and my community.
Make no mistake: Claiborne's message is revolutionary. You won't read this to pick up a few inspiring ideas, you will be confronted with a radical, Christian worldview. Claiborne has taken radical steps: traveling to Iraq to forestall George W. Bush's disastrous invasion, squatting in an abandoned Philadelphia cathedral, and wandering the streets of Calcutta with Mother Theresa.
What I appreciated about the book (and I listened to the MP3), was Claiborne's tone. It's not confrontational or holier-than-thou, he truly loves his work and the oppressed people God has given him. He invites the reader in love to join this irresistable revolution, changing our churches and our communities in the process.
Make no mistake: Claiborne's message is revolutionary. You won't read this to pick up a few inspiring ideas, you will be confronted with a radical, Christian worldview. Claiborne has taken radical steps: traveling to Iraq to forestall George W. Bush's disastrous invasion, squatting in an abandoned Philadelphia cathedral, and wandering the streets of Calcutta with Mother Theresa.
What I appreciated about the book (and I listened to the MP3), was Claiborne's tone. It's not confrontational or holier-than-thou, he truly loves his work and the oppressed people God has given him. He invites the reader in love to join this irresistable revolution, changing our churches and our communities in the process.
Mostly (lately, anyway), I just sit around in despair and horror of the American evangelical church, perpetually wary of any sort of faith community which touts itself as starting a movement or a revolution or whatever.
I wish I had encountered this book (or this vision for the gospel in action in the US) earlier in my life.
I was convicted not only by Claiborne's call to return to the central mission of the gospel (that of love, peace, and caring for those who are without), but by his call to have a more prophetic, hopeful imagination of what the body of Christ on earth could look like.
It felt so nice to read a book which imagines a hopeful future for the church. I finished this book wanting to become a person who has an imagination big enough to see a future for a gospel of hope, peace, and love in this world.
I wish I had encountered this book (or this vision for the gospel in action in the US) earlier in my life.
I was convicted not only by Claiborne's call to return to the central mission of the gospel (that of love, peace, and caring for those who are without), but by his call to have a more prophetic, hopeful imagination of what the body of Christ on earth could look like.
It felt so nice to read a book which imagines a hopeful future for the church. I finished this book wanting to become a person who has an imagination big enough to see a future for a gospel of hope, peace, and love in this world.
"If you have the gift of frustration and the deep sense that the world is a mess, thank God for that; not everyone has that gift of vision. It also means that you have a responsibility to lead us in new ways."
Even if you don’t agree with his political views, Claiborne’s message and work are a humbling reminder to address the complacency in our own lives. His countercultural attitude harkens to the quietly revolutionary nature of the early church, and it inspires me to be more deliberate about acting as the physical hands and feet of Jesus. Is this book perfect? Nope. But it’s worth the read, especially if you are willing to use it to examine your own faith.
Very interesting and challenging. I think you have to remember that it's written in autobiographical form, not as a how-to manual. I thought he made his points well by using stories from his own life so as not to sound too "preachy". It was a bit wordy and repetitive, but still a quick and enjoyable read. This book definitely challenges me to love better and to take the words of Jesus seriously.
I once heard you can glean truths from just about every book even though you may not agree with it in its entirety. This was the case for me in reading "The Irresistible Revolution". Overall, it is a terrific read. Claiborne tells a lot of neat stories about community, grace, serving, and caring for others. Truly, the epitome of Christian love that we are all called to task to. One thing that struck me was his boldness and courage to eat, sleep, and peacefully fight alongside the homeless of Philadelphia while he was in college and continues to do to this day. Furthermore, he goes on to Iraq during the war and serves alongside our Christian brothers as bombs are dropping and exploding in the background. I agree with Claiborne's stand on American imperialism and the need for alternative peaceful measures. However, there are a few things that seemed a bit contradictory to me. He talks a lot about serving and caring for others, but also spends a lot of time talking about himself and what he did. Although he doesn't call himself a liberal it does seem he takes up liberal causes (not that it's bad). There is a lot of talk about renewable energy and being good stewards of the earth's resources. Yet, he often talks a lot about opening up the neighborhood fire hydrant to play in it and wasting one of earth's most precious resources... water. He talks about oppression then quotes from a Communist oppressor, Che Guevara (pg 295), one of progressive liberal's favorite people.
All negatives aside, I think this a great book that discusses ways we can be better stewards of what God has given us. Most of all, it provides examples of how to be involved in people's lives, be active in the world, how to better love our enemies and our neighbors instead of the complacency and apathy we find in today's American Christian pop-culture. It would do well for every Christian to read this book alongside David Platt's excellent book entitled, "Radical". It's all about getting out of the comfort zone of the American Dream and serving others in a BIG way that will affect change both on earth and for eternity.
All negatives aside, I think this a great book that discusses ways we can be better stewards of what God has given us. Most of all, it provides examples of how to be involved in people's lives, be active in the world, how to better love our enemies and our neighbors instead of the complacency and apathy we find in today's American Christian pop-culture. It would do well for every Christian to read this book alongside David Platt's excellent book entitled, "Radical". It's all about getting out of the comfort zone of the American Dream and serving others in a BIG way that will affect change both on earth and for eternity.
I read this book shortly after moving out of my family's house. For the first time in my life, I was able to choose whether or not I would continue going to church even though I had a growing dissatisfaction with the church who proclaimed to follow Jesus Christ. This book gave me hope that maybe the church could be more and maybe it could start with me. Fast forward 16 years to find a recovering exvangelical woman who has despaired that the church has ever cared for the poor and disenfranchised and become completely disillusioned to the organized church. All I experienced was authoritarian dogma, righteous posturing, and prosperity gospel crowds. The industrial church of America has distanced itself from the dispossessed and destitute, and willfully turned a blind eye to the rampant suffering surrounding them. Its modern day focus has rallied to the holy battles of pro-life and anti-gay. As though unborn children are the only innocents and that the sanctity of life is to only be found in the womb. :(
I recently moved again and after having hauled significantly more boxes than I did when I was an emancipated teen, I decided to read through all of the books on my shelves and critically downsize my collection. So Shane and I met once again, only this time, his optimistic ideals left me groaning - groaning that I have never met a church or a people like Shane's community, groaning that he did not blatantly condemn the church for her countless crimes against Christ's followers and neighbors, groaning that he was content to leave his readers with only vague, feel-good stories. But as he said in the intro, he only hoped to bring inspirational stories of love to the table. I suppose he accomplished that, but what I wanted was actionable content. Instead, what I got was a saccharine, bloated book in need of a discerning editor.
While I greatly admire Shane's life, Irresistible Revolution will not survive another move with me.
I recently moved again and after having hauled significantly more boxes than I did when I was an emancipated teen, I decided to read through all of the books on my shelves and critically downsize my collection. So Shane and I met once again, only this time, his optimistic ideals left me groaning - groaning that I have never met a church or a people like Shane's community, groaning that he did not blatantly condemn the church for her countless crimes against Christ's followers and neighbors, groaning that he was content to leave his readers with only vague, feel-good stories. But as he said in the intro, he only hoped to bring inspirational stories of love to the table. I suppose he accomplished that, but what I wanted was actionable content. Instead, what I got was a saccharine, bloated book in need of a discerning editor.
While I greatly admire Shane's life, Irresistible Revolution will not survive another move with me.
Some great points and thought-provoking statements but overall the book dragged on and on with repetitive conversation. Multiple times I thought I had lost my place and was rereading a page only to realize that he was again reusing another paragraph in a new chapter. He definitely has a one-sided opinion on how to live your life but that did not bother me as it is his book and he is entitled to his opinion. The only frustration I felt while reading his opinion is that he talked a lot about the 'right way to live' and yet never seemed to come to any kind of action steps for the average person who has a family.
I enjoy a book that challenges my complacency and stirs within me new ideas on how I could be showing the love of God to those around me, my neighbors. That is what the Irresistible Revolution provided for me. Claiborne is not only telling his story, but the story of his community and others which operate in a similar frame. It is a beautiful concept that many would be wise to wrap their minds around and consider. I've had the opportunity to live in various forms of community from a sorority to sharing a home with lovely friends, and it's this idea of community that continually sparks conversation and innovation in my walk with God.