I had a wonderful couple days in Rochester, Michigan while my luggage enjoyed a relaxing time at O’Hare in Chicago. Fortunately, it showed up just in time for me to haul it back to the airport and come home with me. Left with clean clothes; returned with clean clothes.
As I went and returned, I read Shane Claiborne’s new book The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
Read with care. This young man could rock your world! The very idea: living as an ordinary radical. It’s like Dallas Willard with steroids and dreadlocks. Claiborne believes that a Christian is, by definition, a disciple: a follower of Jesus. One who is called to participate in God’s work in this world.
My thanks to Zondervan for publishing this book. I’m sure it wasn’t a safe decision. Many won’t like it. Some will fume and rant. But I was inspired.
Claiborne, a member of The Simple Way in Philadelphia, is an activist in the best Christian sense: one who is willing to put his life on the line for justice and compassion. Here are some samples:
“We live in a world that wants things bigger and bigger. We want to supersize our fries, sodas, and church buildings. But amid all the supersizing, many of us feel God doing something new, something small and subtle. This thing Jesus called the kingdom of God is emerging across the globe in the most unexpected places, a gentle whisper amid the chaos. Little people with big dreams are reimagining the world.”
“We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did. We can applaud what he preached and stood for without caring about the same things. We can adore his cross without taking up ours. I had come to see that the great tragedy in the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor, but that rich Christians do not know the poor.”
“I remember when one of my colleagues said, ‘Shane, I am not a Christian anymore.’ I was puzzled, for we had gone to theology classes together, studied Scripture, prayed, and worshiped together. But I could see the intensity and sincerity in his eyes as he continued, ‘I gave up Christianity in order to follow Jesus.’ Somehow, I knew what he meant.”
“While the ghettos may have their share of violence and crime, the suburbs are the home of the more subtle demonic forces — numbness, complacency, comfort — and it is these that can eat away at our souls.”
“As I’ve heard my old mentor Tony Campolo say, ‘If we were to set out to establish a religion in polar opposition to the Beatitudes Jesus taught, it would look strikingly similar to the pop Christianity that has taken over the airwaves of North America.’”
It doesn’t take much imagination to predict that this book will join Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz
The list of groups that will share from the profits made from the sale of The Irresistible Revolution can be found here.
Already one of my favorites. The book was very disturbing, because it reminded me of the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus is a way of life. As Claiborne says, “Following Jesus is deciding to do something incredibly daring with your life.”
I have already bought this book for a best friend and my brother. I often refer people to books, but rarely do I make the initiative and buy them. Claiborne was an exception.
Here is a link to “The Simple Way” website.
http://www.thesimpleway.org/
The following is found on their website:
We are the simple way, a community of faith.
Each of us is created for community, and in the image of community. And yet everything in the world tries to rob us of this Divine gift.
The life of the simple way is the story of that struggle to love and to be loved.
The most radical thing we do is choose to love each other… again and again.
If you are a seeker of the Way, may our story feed you hope… or at least keep you from making all the same mistakes.
“Life in community is no less than a necessity for us, an inescapable ‘must’… all life created by God exists in communal order and works toward community.” — Eberhard Arnold
Oops! Sorry Mike. I missed the link in your post.
“While the ghettos may have their share of violence and crime, the suburbs are the home of the more subtle demonic forces — numbness, complacency, comfort — and it is these that can eat away at our souls.”
OUCH! That hits me right between the eyes. Sometimes the more subtle Satan is, the more destructive and victorious he becomes.
I get the urge to be radical - to sell my possessions & give my money away freely w/o regard to my own well-being. And then the spirit of fear takes over. I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to act more “upside-down” from this world & it’s temptations of security & safety. This sounds like a book I need to read!
“I had come to see that the great tragedy in the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor, but that rich Christians do not know the poor.”
This hits right on target. Many Christians would prefer to write their much needed checks at a safe distance separating them in their well-appointed homes or offices from the messiness of the poor’s lives.
Do we really follow Jesus? Where did HE go? If we are to follow Him, are we not to physically follow Him into the inner city ghetto and blighted neighborhoods of our towns and cities, carrying Jesus into the most despaired lives in our town? If we do not want to get our clothes, and certainly not our hands, dirty with the messy lives of the poor, are we really following Jesus.
Bless you, Mike for writing about this book. I’m sure many will read and amen the book. I’m not so sure how many will get out of their SUVs - ride the city buses and go to those that Jesus loved so much. Sorry. This is probably one of the very few areas of cynicism in my being, but it’s powered by years of experience.
Bless you, Larry and others that DO go to the poor and are advocates for their plight!! Highland is beginning to live this Jesus-following life through the Freedom Fellowship ministry. PTL!!
Mike,
Thanks for letting us know about the book.
Looking forward to getting my hands on it and soaking it all in.
Shane sounds like he knows what he is talking about and is right on in the sample you shared.
Thanks again Mike.
God bless.
It’s like stepping outside the box. You can give love and roof to someone who had been washed dry by the world. Your world will be suddenly brighter. They always talk how you helped them, but the secret that you share is how they have helped you. When you see someone you have loved and helped make their way in the world, you KNOW Christ lives.
Sounds like he follows in the footsteps of men like Bonhoeffer and Sammy Tippit.
Anyone heard of or read the book Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church by D.A. Carson? A friend recommended it to me and was wondering if anyone was familiar with it….
Mike,
So glad for this post. The quote alone makes me want to read this book. Your post and quotes like this can help to fire our imaginations again.
Is this the book with the part when he talks about the Iraqi Christians, Mike? I had a friend read me that excerpt with tears in his eyes this summer. Incredible words…I can’t wait to read it.
ATTENTION READERS: If you know anyone in Lubbock, TX, please go to my blog at http://www.chrisfield.blogspot.com and help me out. Shalom.
I love it when you do book recommendations, Mike. I’ve read so many excellent books because of you. Thanks! I’ve just put the book on hold at the library and look forward, with some trepidation, to reading it.
God grant us all the ability to follow Jesus as we should.
Thanks, reJoyce (and others).
Here’s what Chris wrote today. Any Lubbock leads out there?
Do You Know Anyone In Lubbock?
Because Stacey really needs a job. So, whether I know you really well or you are just some random person that happened upon this blog, be a pal. Call or e-mail your friend, family member, ex-boss, president of a huge company, etc. and tell them about the intelligent young woman that is seeking employment and would be *perfect* for whatever position they have. Here is a brief bio of this ideal employee:
Name: Stacey Field
Age: 22
Degree: Elementary Education from Abilene Christian University with highest honors (4.0)
Experience: Administrative assistant for two summers, significant volunteer work, etc.
Qualities: She is smart, thoughtful, hard working, a self-starter and diligent.
Phone #:(check Chris’s blog)
Leave me a comment with any advice, contacts, ideas you might have. Thanks in advance. Any takers? ‘Cause I sure ain’t kidding…
Mike, thanks for the head’s up on the book. Dirk says he has it and will let me borrow it when he is done with it. Like you, he says it is off the charts.
Your brother,
DU
Refreshing! Thanks for sharing the quote.
“While the ghettos may have their share of violence and crime, the suburbs are the home of the more subtle demonic forces — numbness, complacency, comfort…”
And, may I add, BUSY-NESS to that list?
Great stuff, Mike. Thanks.
What he points toward is a “movement” worthy of a life. Refreshing, huh?
I will definitely order this book. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Wow, Chris, wish I would have thought of putting my resume on Mike’s blog. Way better than Monster.com!
Mike - I’m glad you got your hands on this book. Chrissy and I have been reading it together the last few months, immersing ourselves in the life of service and discipleship that Claiborne has found. We pray for such obedience and attractive discipleship.
For those who want to read some more passages from this paradigmatic book, I have blogged about it several times the last few months:
link 1
link 2
link 3
link 4
Amy - Carson’s book is apparently pretty critical of the emergent church movement, but the author did little direct research of on-the-ground realities of the movement. I have not read the book, but those who have say that his tone is often harsh, defensive, even scared of the unpredictability of this movement.
One voice that I trust a lot is that of Andrew Jones (aka Tall Skinny Kiwi), widely thought to be a cyber-leader in the EC movement. His review of Carson’s book can be found here.
Only if it turns up a job, Teresa
That is left to be seen.
And for the record, I put a link to the “resume” and Mike was just gracious enough to post it directly
“What about building a 4 million dollar building on the 400 block of Highland. Some people find this offensive, a waste of money and not on message. “
“Many churches are doing this without the 4M expansion. The old gym of Highland CoC would have continued to serve this purpose nicely. 4M could have provided real “pay it forward” assistance to the neighborhood. Like job re-training, education, housing, etc.
Why not a 1M renovation of old classroom section which was falling apart? “
“…How many of those 40 Godly men live within two blocks of that church? How many big contributors live within 5 blocks (not on Sayles in big house) The church building didn’t move away but did the church?”
Guess my comments on the Statue of Liberty post weren’t too over the top. What a difference 7 days make. Go figure.
7 days ago this brought rebuke, today “it rocks our world.”
I may not be a smart man Jen-Nay but I know what fence sitting is.
I still apologize for the last one.
Leland Gump
Man, Leland. Strong points. Guess “published” prophets a thousand miles away talking about churches that aren’t ours carry a bigger stick and garner a bigger applause.
We need to take Claiborne’s words — scratch that, Jesus’ words — and begin to live them out in our current context. Can they possibly only be true for Christians or churches “out there” or for “radicals” like Claiborne, or do they apply to every one of us who claim the blood — and wear the name — of Christ? Might we be even more offensive to Him when we say, “Oh, how nice. What a neat young man that Shane Claiborne is. He really has some good points!” but continue to live the same way … support the same destructive religious hierarchies … play the same old games?
Your comment made me think, Leland. Lots of people say of Jesus’ words, “How nice. We really should take those to heart”, but few take up their cross and follow. Quite frankly, I’m weary of talk. I want to die to self and be born again into the way — the better way — of Christ. And everything that entails. (this won’t always be pretty…)
Anyone with me?
I’m interested….interested because I feel caught between worlds. And not like one might think. I’m not a materialistic person, which is likely due to not ever having had much and finding the beauty in other things in life at a young age. That said, I do war with my flesh, but largely, I feel at odd between the world of my church, and the world which is my daily walk with Christ.
We need to bridge the gap as He did, and I’m finding reticence in both the secular and the faith communities….to the point of despairing over the need for a REVOLUTION.
Funny how little changes in over 2000 years, eh?
Leland, hey man - I see the consistency in what you’re saying, and admire that
This sort of thing has always haunted me for the following reason: I have a family. So even though the heart rises for the fly Claiborne has drifted my way - how I (think I) would love to live out of a backpack in Gunnison following and teaching the ways of Jesus, the fact remains that tossing it all, selling the house and cars and guns and soccer balls and sitting on the corner with only a couple of paper bags and appliance boxes for shelter is an abdication, in a way, of my responsibility to provide for my family. And my family is not for that reason a burden; they are a joy and a delight.
I also understand that writing a check can be an excuse to avoid the messy work of actually helping people.
Still, I cannot help but agree with those who see in the story of the rich, young ruler a hyperbolic (which is to say, typically Jesus) teaching, not a universal norm. It’s not that I want to see it that way, or at least I don’t think I do; it’s just that he teaches hyperbolically in so many other instances as well, so he has a track record.
The cognitive dissonance is deafening right now. So many of my 40-something friends from college are grappling with the ruthlessly life-sucking demands of the “blessings” of upper-middle-classdom. We are generous with others and with one another and with the needy (please understand, I’m not angling for any attaboys - many of you are undoubtedly more generous than we), we pitch in to help single moms and all that…of course, we could always give more. No matter whom you ask, he or she could always give more. And we are chasing our tails, and we know it, because we are always with our hands on our knees, catching our breath between the activities of the upper-middle-class life that stand between us and the life we know we want: quiet before God, restful and nimbly obedient to his tugs on our hearts. We strive for that, but we never quite reach it.
It’s not a matter of not knowing God would provide if we pitched it all; the question is, what are we to do with our families? They are a blessing from God, aren’t they?
qb
Wow, qb! What a heart! I commend your struggle. Been there, doing that. Here’s my take on the family thing…rather simplicitically…God will provide what they need also. Won’t be in the way we think it ought to be, but it will be full blessings and just what the family needs.
I really think many people believe that following Jesus always means chucking everything he has given us and moving to a depressed area of the city. For some that’s exactly what he wants, but I believe he blesses any degree to which we are willing to trust him. Perhaps for one family it’s selling the 4 BR, 3 BA colonial on a cozy cul de sac and living more simply giving the extra savings to the poor. For another family, it’s cutting back on (or eliminating) their “church offering” and giving that to the poor. For another it’s something else.
Whatever one does, I recommend that parents be sure to include their children in the process…what a lesson for them!
There’s so much to say on this, but I think God is stirring your heart and he is glad. More of us need to be stirred. God bless you.
One more thing…I’ve yearned for the Gunnison thing myself, but then came to realize that doing that would be more for me than for the Father. I think we can be obedient (and a blessing to others) where we are right now.
3 times in the gospel of Luke Jesus says to sell everything and give to the poor.
Luke 12:33, “Sell your possessions, and give alms”
Luke Luke 14:33, “None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions”
Luke 18:22, “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor”
I know, it is troubling and disturbing.
For those that have nice homes, USE THEM. Be hospitable. We live such isolated lives that we rarely know our neighbors. We can drive into our driveways, push a button, drive into our garages, and we don’t come out and people don’t come in. The mission of Christ is larger than that.
I heard Shane interviewed at a Pastors Conference this year. Bought his book and gave it to Steve Holt, my intern. He read quotes to me and I read some of it. Very anointed and fresh. Made me uncomfortable — which is why I need to read it! Complacency is so easy to fall into.
The one line in the interview that really grabbed me was: “When I was in East Tennessee and had re-dedicated my life to Christ I kept going forward at church meetings over and over to ‘get saved’ Then I realized that I didn’t need to just believe in Jesus. I already did. I needed to follow Jesus.”
Interesting… I just read Oswald Chambers yesterday and the scripture was Luke 18:22-23. This is what he said. “Sell all that thou hast,” undress yourself morally before God of everything that might be a possession until you are a mere conscious human being and then give God that. That is where the battle is fought - in the domain of the will before God. Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Himself? If so, you are likely to hear one of His hard sayings that will produce sorrow in you. What Jesus says is hard, it is only easy when it is heard by those who have His disposition. Beware of allowing anything to soften a hard word of Jesus Christ’s”.
I wrestle with knowing what God would have me do with my blessings. But I have to remember that the only reason I have those blessings is because God gave them to me, and they should be used to His glory, whatever they are. Relationships, wealth, time, gifts, etc.
“…I had come to see that the great tragedy in the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor, but that rich Christians do not know the poor.”
How many of these poor people are elders (Poor men, I mean)? I’ll bet if our church leadership was comprised of some poor people (below the poverty line) we would get to know them real well. It would no longer be “us” and “them.”
When was the last time someone quoted the cleaning lady in a sermon?
We discount what they say and what they have to offer because of poverty and lack of education. You can’t even get into a large church pulpit in our fellowship without an MDiv.
My wife was a nurse in a facility which provided services to low income families. She would always remark that the Hispanic families showed up with all their extended relatives when one family member was sick. They may be very poor but they certainly have something to teach me about real family.
Until we stop looking down on these people we will never make progress. Don’t tell me we don’t either when most of our elder photos are straight from the “well to do” white guy club yearbook.
When extended relatives show up at the bedside of one family member it can be a pain in the neck for the caregivers. Trust me.
A nurse
Your right Chris,
They do have nothing to teach us.
I stand corrected. Thanks.
Are you for real, Chris?
Another book to read? In this last move I cut my boxes of books down from 50 to 25. Ok, I’ll read it. It sounds great.
I wish there was a place you could just check books out and then return them when you are done without having to buy them all…like a library? Hmmm.
Thanks for this link Mike and it was great to meet you after early morning service yesterday - we were all blessed for being there! Nothing quite like moving your freshman daughter into her ACU dorm in 100 degree heat, but we wouldn’t trade the experience or aching muscles for the world. I have never seen so many mini-fridge’s in my life.
I had Shane’s book in my Amazon fav’s - but it somehow got bumped out - I’ll definitely have to read it. Thanks largely to on-line encouragement from Mike, Larry James, Steve Holt, Jr., and Mike Exum - the thought that runs through my mind regularly is - what can I do for the Kingdom today in a small, but radical way? While my actions have not remotely lived up to my thoughts I do see many more opportunities than I never “saw” last year. Mike Exum goes out with friends on some of Lubbock’s meaner streets and holds a communion service - at midnight on Saturday. I would call that radical action for the Kingdom.
Leland,
I don’t know if we would agree on much or not, but I completely understand everything you have said on here. The doublespeak is absolutely maddening. The re-explanation of Jesus’s words for justification of the modern lifestyle would be funny, if it weren’t so serious.
Particularly the elder thing… I am always puzzled by the fact that churches have used the world’s standard of success to determine who should be an elder. Almost every congregation has some elders whose families are a complete mess, but who did well financially, so “they must be ok…”.
This is where the “emergents” constant obscuration of the simple truth of scripture leads us: a bunch of people debating about the exact meaning of what Jesus said. Here’s one for the obscurants and debate club: What did Jesus really mean when he said we were to become like little children? Do little children debate and analyze everything the parent says, or should they just take it at face value and obey?
Leland, re: your reply to Chris; Sarcasm does not become you. Please try to disagree without being disagreeable. Kindness is a fruit of the spirit. Respectfully, rojay
Rojay,
You are right. I am a smart ass. I definitelt need to reign this in. Thanks.
Sometimes God hits you over the head and says, “pay attention to this”. A day before Mikes posting of this I stumbled upon “New Monasticism” on the Internet and was reading about the Simple Way and I was so intrigued that I ordered the book.
Our family (my wife and I and two kids) has the privilege of being part of something similar to this that is underway here in St. Louis. We are in the beginning stages of a church plant of sorts in the inner city. A few us are leaving our homes to relocate to one of the most “challenging” urban neighborhoods in St. Louis. This effort will include many facets that include unity of black and white Christians, unity of members of the Churches of Christ and the Christian Churches, as well as a partnership with local Christian college that will be involved in urban ministry programs. We are in the process of acquiring a vacant Catholic Church facility that God has basically laid in our laps as a home for this effort.
I am encouraged that there are others who have answered this calling and look forward to reading about their experiences. We are still struggling with the extent to which our attachments to the material world will be challenged. We know that it is going to be hard, but isn’t discipleship supposed to be costly? I think that the term “irresistible revolution” is a much better description of the kingdom is supposed to be like rather than what we’ve made it into. If we were really living out the “revolution” it truly would be “irresistible”.
Sorry if this ran to far a field.
Noticed your post and thought you might be interested in this movie: http://theordinaryradicals.com