Last week, while getting the oil changed on my car, I started reading Dan Kimball's book They Like Jesus but Not the Church. I like to mix in some emerging church stuff into my reading cycle. So far, the person in this stream that I've like best is Brian McLaren. More often, though, I find much of the authors in this stream to be repackaged neo-evangelicals. They tend to look different, speak more softly about social/political issues, but still have a basic theological position which I find alienating. I think they have good ideas for those in the neo-evangelical movement, but that's just not me.
40 pages into They Like Jesus and its been much the same and I'm thinking about giving up on the book before investing more time in it. The first strike was a basic orientation that sees the world made up of the saved and unsaved and that it is the job of the former to change the later. Strike two was a basic abuse of logic and language. In short, he heads a paragraph with "This book is not just my opinion." He then proceeds to explain his credentials and why his opinion is well informed. A knowledgable opinion is still an opinion, and so far in reading he's giving his own reflection on anecdotal evidence, thus his opinion. Strike three was basic abuse of Scripture, repeating the claim that the woman at the well from John is a loose woman.
Three strikes in less than 40 pages. So, I'm wondering if there is something here that is compelling enough to read the remaining 220 pages. If you've read the book, or have other helpful input, leave a comment.
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5 comments:
Haven't read it, but it was something I *was* considering reading. Until now.
Thanks for the warning -- sounds like it's not something I'd enjoy, either...
Have been enjoying your posts -- looking forward to reading more!
Hi Clint!
Sorry if I am striking out with you! The book is written from the context of living in a very progressive liberal and non-churched local town (and also from a PCUSA culture which is the church our church plant has partnered with) - and has real life examples and observations of how those outside the church perceive Christians and the church. I tried to stay away from theory and put real examples throughout, not just of our church but other churches who are seeing God using them in seeing college-age and young adults putting faith in Jesus, who weren't Christians before. I'd be happy to email you names of other churches who are seeing missional fruit with non-Christian college age and young adults now following Jesus in this way from across the country. It is exciting to see what God is doing lately in these churches.
My observations as you will read, are based on real stories and real people. That is why I am stating it wasn't just my opinion as I include a lot of quotes from other people. I would also encourage you to read the book "UnChristian" by Dave Kinnaman if you haven't. He says much of the same, but bases it on a national survey from all across the country so you see a lot of statistics with this.
In terms of "giving up", if you are interested in real life examples of churches who are seeing college-age and young adults lives changed, then I wouldn't give up yet - as this is what I was trying to write about and give examples of. It isn't about a specific model or methodology either, but about a philosophical approach to mission which is the underlying common theme in churches who are experiencing new disciples made from college-age who weren't part of churches before.
Feel free to email me with any questions. My heart is for those outside the church and creating a missional culture amongst young adults, as it is they whom are the missionaries and living missionally in their world who God uses - not just what we do in meetings in the church buildings.
I wish you could hear stories as they get baptized the and they share the important ways Jesus became real to them. the pattern is that it was not Sunday gatherigns church meetings (although they have a part) but Christians who befriended them, broke stereotypes, invited them into community - and the Spirit then worked and they came to faith in Jesus. That is why I am so optimistic and see such wonderful things God is doing across the country in local churches, when college age and young adults become missional in their lives and the Spirit uses them to impact other college-age and young adults.
OK, contact me anytime, my email is on the church website.
Happy New Year!
Dan
Andrew and Dan,
Thanks for the comments.
Dan,
Your philosophy of witness is sounds very similar to what I experience with my congregation in Baton Rouge. In my context, we have many disaffected Baptists and Roman Catholics (and many who are quite happy in those churches), who are looking for another way of being Christian. This is not limited to young adults. Its as meaningful for the 65 year old lesbain who grew up Baptist and has taken most of her adult life to accept who she really is, or the 48 year old divorcee who needs companions on a spiritual journey, but doesn't want to be told how to think. On a basic level, I think we agree that there are many people, particularly young adults, for whom the church is an obstacle in the spiritual journey. I also agree that the way to reach out to those people is to meet them in the world as a friend, not seeing them as targets of conversion.
You've convinced me to keep up for a while longer, because I do have a passion for reaching out to young adults. I guess I see myself living in a differnt theological world than your intended audience. You're in good company in that respect. I've had a similar experience reading books by Shane Claiborne, Donald Miller and Jim Wallace, all for whom I have great respect. I just tend to have a very different theological perspective. I'll let you know my thoughts.
Clint - I guess you are not also obliged a bit if the author takes the time to respond ;-) Gotta love the power of the internet, google alerts and all else that keeps us connected.
I would also suggest reading Phyllis Tickles "The Great Emergence" which gives historical view about what is happening right now. Good challenges and analysis.
Hey Dan . . . hope you are well.
Hi again Clint!
I guess it all depends on what theological perspective(s) you mean - but it does make a difference in terms of how a church views, sin, salvation etc. of course. I am pretty much the same theologically as Don and Imago Dei (the church community Don is part of) - I haven't talked to Shane or Jim so I don't know too much about their theologies or churches.
I do find that in getting travel and talk to leaders, that the churches who are seeing growth specifically from non-Christians in the young adult population who weren't part of any church before, tend to be evangelical theologically. I am becomming amazed at the openness and ways younger non-Christians are responding to Jesus and putting faith in Him at these churches. So I have a lot of hope, as I keep saying when churches do take the mission seriously.
Happy new year!
Dan
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