Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity
Miriam Adeney
InterVarsity Press, 2009
$18.00
Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee
As a Christian, to what do we belong? To a small group? To a community church? To a campus group? How large is the Kingdom of God to which we belong? Miriam Adeney professor of global and urban ministries at Seattle Pacific University, shares just how grand the global Kingdom of Heaven is in her book, Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity.
It is no secret that Christianity has been global for centuries. The Gospel spread in multiple directions from the hill of Golgatha and the open tomb. From the little home in which the disciples first cowered to the grand spaces of violent conflict, to the networks of global organized crime, slavery and prostitution, and to theocratic societies the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed. Christians are taking their voice through song, through peace, through compassion and through martyrdom to the ends of the earth.
Too often the world associates Christianity with the West. Even still, though most “western” denominations are growing exponentially faster in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We in the west are too often connected to our own notions of theological power and impetus, yet good theology has been transmitted throughout the globe. Miriam Adeney’s book demonstrates just how large the Kingdom of God is, and how God is truly raising up a global movement that shares the Gospel to every nation from every nation.
We indeed find our strength in numbers, and Adeney demonstrates just how numerous the population of God’s Kingdom is. We are apt to forget this coming from a cloistered Evangelical Church in the States. Our strength goes much deeper than numbers, however. We have exemplified through powerful stories a depth of faith that challenges global Christianity and each individual who calls themself a citizen of this Kingdom without borders.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Book Review: Practicing the Way of Jesus, Mark Scandrette
Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love
Mark Scandrette
InterVarsity Press, 2011
$15.00
Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee
Practicing the Way of Jesus by Mark Scandrette is nothing new among Christian literature, but Scandrette’s creativity in setting experiments for spiritual formation is powerful for helping others align their lives to Christ and the Christian life. Scandrette is a social artist, asking people to challenge themselves. His experiments are so practical they could almost elude spiritual formation. Yet, these experiential practices cut at the quick of a lifestyle unaligned to Christ and lead to nothing but a deeper relationship with God.
The book discusses the purpose of Scandrette’s spiritual formation program called the Jesus Dojo. He explains that the word dojo refers to a training center and it is an adept description of the experiments that Scandrette discusses. What I liked about the book regarding the training is the sheer variety and contextualization of the experiments. The book does not outline a “how to” list of experiments that must be done for spiritual formation. Rather, he provides examples of what the Jesus Dojo has done. Scandrette doesn’t write as an expert with the perfect plan. He writes as a creative thinker invested in the lives of people who want to invest their lives into God.
Practicing the Way of Jesus is an easy read and inspiring. I will find myself returning to a number of concepts that brought light to my imagination. The true power of Scandrette’s work will come as it gets passed around among a small group or community within a congregation, within an intentional community or among close friends. As a social artist Scandrette’s work will motivate discussion among peers on how to truly be reaching people, especially post-Christian urbanites.
Mark Scandrette
InterVarsity Press, 2011
$15.00
Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee
Practicing the Way of Jesus by Mark Scandrette is nothing new among Christian literature, but Scandrette’s creativity in setting experiments for spiritual formation is powerful for helping others align their lives to Christ and the Christian life. Scandrette is a social artist, asking people to challenge themselves. His experiments are so practical they could almost elude spiritual formation. Yet, these experiential practices cut at the quick of a lifestyle unaligned to Christ and lead to nothing but a deeper relationship with God.
The book discusses the purpose of Scandrette’s spiritual formation program called the Jesus Dojo. He explains that the word dojo refers to a training center and it is an adept description of the experiments that Scandrette discusses. What I liked about the book regarding the training is the sheer variety and contextualization of the experiments. The book does not outline a “how to” list of experiments that must be done for spiritual formation. Rather, he provides examples of what the Jesus Dojo has done. Scandrette doesn’t write as an expert with the perfect plan. He writes as a creative thinker invested in the lives of people who want to invest their lives into God.
Practicing the Way of Jesus is an easy read and inspiring. I will find myself returning to a number of concepts that brought light to my imagination. The true power of Scandrette’s work will come as it gets passed around among a small group or community within a congregation, within an intentional community or among close friends. As a social artist Scandrette’s work will motivate discussion among peers on how to truly be reaching people, especially post-Christian urbanites.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Review: Abundant Simplicity - Jan Johnson
Abundant Simplicity: Discovery the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace
Jan Johnson
InterVarsity Press, 2011
Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee
Simplicity is a notable component in clearing space for God. In the age of constantly changing technology, increasing number of cable channels, options for virtual entertainment and the shear ease of mobility, complication has become the standard. Generations of advancement shaped the philosophy that said simplicity was base. Generations of prophets have been trying to affirm that claim, but recognize that God is the base and our relationship with him is everything. Books on simplicity have become vogue in the Christian publishing world, or the publishing world in general for that matter. People are finding life too complicated and need to consume and buy more and more books about simplicity to find the simple life. Yet Jan Johnson’s book, Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace is worth the read.
Johnson’s writing is simple yet eloquent. The book is not longer than it needs to be, it is not cluttered with passages of spiritual masters just to prove that she’s read them (though her ability to weave their stories into her chapters with one liners makes it obvious to the reader that she has not only read them, but communes with them); it is not packed with ostentatious claims of her mastery nor pretentious humility about not being a master that tends to come with other spiritual books. It is just simple.
Also unlike many books about spirituality, Abundant Simplicity is decidedly Christian. I am a fan of drawing in the spiritual practices that God has imprinted upon us yet others have claimed while Christians have forgotten. Yet, too often these books become pluralistic and relativistic that they go beyond recognizing the good of non-Christian spirituality to appropriating it as Christian spirituality. Johnson’s book does not fall into this category. It clearly has a purpose, to create space for a relationship with Jesus.
One of the most important aspects of Johnson’s approach to simplicity is the intentionality in becoming simple. Carving out intentional space for simplicity means carving out intentional space for God, which in turn will carve out more and more space for simplicity. Intentionality breeds the unintentional perpetuation of simplicity and a deepened relationship with God. It is almost comical as to how easy and uncomplicated it is. Intentionality is so important to Johnson’s work, I would title the next edition, The Art of Spiritual Intentionality: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace in Abundant Simplicity.
Her book is great for those just beginning their relationship with Christ or for those who’ve been walking with Jesus for decades. It is not academic, but practical. It is not whimsical, but reasonable. Johnson’s only expectation is the desire to simplify to create space for God. She recognizes the plurality of approaches and provides options that begin to stir intentionality, not form a ritual of spirituality. Her’s is an easy read that can take hours or months. What I noticed in my own life was beginning to question small practices, taking intentional time to see if what I am doing or thinking is complicating or simplifying my relationship with God and my relationship with others. Nothing particular stands out as formative advice or crucial piece of spiritual wisdom lacking in other books, but Johnson’s clear writing prodded me into examining life.
Abundant Simplicity has a place on the bookshelf among the giants like Interior Castle, Celebration of Discipline, Renovation of the Heart, Contemplation and others. It would make a great gift or great book study for groups. As cheesy as it sounds, Johnson’s book is so simple it is one of the few you will need on simplicity to begin to eliminate complication and carve out space for God.
Jan Johnson
InterVarsity Press, 2011
Reviewed by Kevin Book-Satterlee
Simplicity is a notable component in clearing space for God. In the age of constantly changing technology, increasing number of cable channels, options for virtual entertainment and the shear ease of mobility, complication has become the standard. Generations of advancement shaped the philosophy that said simplicity was base. Generations of prophets have been trying to affirm that claim, but recognize that God is the base and our relationship with him is everything. Books on simplicity have become vogue in the Christian publishing world, or the publishing world in general for that matter. People are finding life too complicated and need to consume and buy more and more books about simplicity to find the simple life. Yet Jan Johnson’s book, Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace is worth the read.
Johnson’s writing is simple yet eloquent. The book is not longer than it needs to be, it is not cluttered with passages of spiritual masters just to prove that she’s read them (though her ability to weave their stories into her chapters with one liners makes it obvious to the reader that she has not only read them, but communes with them); it is not packed with ostentatious claims of her mastery nor pretentious humility about not being a master that tends to come with other spiritual books. It is just simple.
Also unlike many books about spirituality, Abundant Simplicity is decidedly Christian. I am a fan of drawing in the spiritual practices that God has imprinted upon us yet others have claimed while Christians have forgotten. Yet, too often these books become pluralistic and relativistic that they go beyond recognizing the good of non-Christian spirituality to appropriating it as Christian spirituality. Johnson’s book does not fall into this category. It clearly has a purpose, to create space for a relationship with Jesus.
One of the most important aspects of Johnson’s approach to simplicity is the intentionality in becoming simple. Carving out intentional space for simplicity means carving out intentional space for God, which in turn will carve out more and more space for simplicity. Intentionality breeds the unintentional perpetuation of simplicity and a deepened relationship with God. It is almost comical as to how easy and uncomplicated it is. Intentionality is so important to Johnson’s work, I would title the next edition, The Art of Spiritual Intentionality: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace in Abundant Simplicity.
Her book is great for those just beginning their relationship with Christ or for those who’ve been walking with Jesus for decades. It is not academic, but practical. It is not whimsical, but reasonable. Johnson’s only expectation is the desire to simplify to create space for God. She recognizes the plurality of approaches and provides options that begin to stir intentionality, not form a ritual of spirituality. Her’s is an easy read that can take hours or months. What I noticed in my own life was beginning to question small practices, taking intentional time to see if what I am doing or thinking is complicating or simplifying my relationship with God and my relationship with others. Nothing particular stands out as formative advice or crucial piece of spiritual wisdom lacking in other books, but Johnson’s clear writing prodded me into examining life.
Abundant Simplicity has a place on the bookshelf among the giants like Interior Castle, Celebration of Discipline, Renovation of the Heart, Contemplation and others. It would make a great gift or great book study for groups. As cheesy as it sounds, Johnson’s book is so simple it is one of the few you will need on simplicity to begin to eliminate complication and carve out space for God.
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