Series:What if Jesus Was Serious
Author: Skye Jethani
Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Theology, Devotional, Christian Living
Publisher: Moody Publisher
Source: Moody Publisher
My review:
Skye Jethani has become an "auto" read author. I have read the first two in this series, and when I learned What If Jesus Was Serious About the Church? was out, I immediately went looking for it.
In America the church has become a corporate enterprise.
Each
section is between 2-3 pages with Scripture verses at the end
of each section to enforce the points that the author was making in
that particular section. The book is divided into five sections, with
multiple subsections related to the heading of that part. Each of the five sections is related to specific passages of Scripture. It is easy to read and understand.
I want to remind us all, regardless of our Christian heritage, what Jesus intended for His Church to be. That means looking behind the layers of history to the essential qualities and practices of the church outlined by Jesus Himself, and then reapplying these to whatever context we find ourselves in.
One of the reasons I love these books by Jethani is because he gives us much to ponder. He lays out his points, backed with scripture. They are relevant and true. The church needs a major overhaul and in many cases, it is not representing Jesus well. Jethani is not telling us how to fix the issues, but he is highlighting them. We are responsible for our own responses, especially when we know the Truth, we can't ignore what we know to be true.
Just as it is possible to attend school and not be educated, it is entirely possible to be churched and not be living in communion with Christ-especially when church is defined institutionally rather than communally.
Thank you to Moody Publishers for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
★★★★/5Synopsis (Goodreads):
Researchers have uncovered the following three
trends: First, distrust of institutions, including the church, is at an
all-time high. Second, young people raised in the church are leaving at
alarming rates and not returning. Third, loneliness and social isolation
are at pandemic levels. What’s the connection? It appears that an
entire generation is starving for the very thing the church is called to
provide but has chosen to look for it elsewhere. Why is this happening?
Following the model set by What If Jesus Was Serious?—short readings and engaging illustrations—What If Jesus Was Serious about the Church?
looks at what the Bible really says about the church, its purpose, and
the impact of its modern captivity to consumer values. Rather than an
event, a building, or an institution, the New Testament calls the church
to be a community living in communion with God and one another for the
sake of the world.
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love that the author is not telling the reader how to fix the problem, but rather highlighting the problem. Sometimes that is the hardest part. Sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it, Gretchen.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this, Cindy. I like books that make me think too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy!
DeleteI'm the librarian for my church and I am always looking for books that will enhance people's personal spiritual life. This sounds good.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I would recommend his other two as well, serious about prayer, and What if Jesus was serious.
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