Today being Friday we are going to be changing some things up. I have not been able to be as focused on this blog as I would like, as serving in a ministry that seems to be requiring more of my attention than I might have planned on. Almost being a full time job; as it has taken me away forcing me to focus my attention on other things. Yet new plans have been made and a semblance of normalcy is returning to the blog. I will be moving Friday to a series of different things and changes from inviting the guys at Dad Pad to post once a month. To sharing my own thoughts on Fatherhood as I near the end of my years in the raising cycle with both my daughters. sometimes I may share a video on fatherhood or being a dad. It continues to be a subject near to my heart. Then once a month I will post some links from that month I discovered and enjoyed that month. To once a month sharing a book review.
Sharing a book review brings us to today. I am currently reading The Jesus Paradigm by David Allan Black. It was sent to me as a gift by Henry Neufeld of Energion Publications. By the way Henry does a post for me at the end of every month on Saturday’s. When I first picked up the book and looked through it; well it threw me. As I am a Reformed Calvin and David Allan Black writes from an Anabaptist point of view. I was glad I continued to pursue the reading of this book as it is calling me and echoing me to a radical discipleship God has placed on my heart as of late. I learned a long time ago that one should always be ready to entertain views different than your own as you never know when God may use it to speak to you.
A book like The Jesus Paradigm is not for those just now who are developing their spiritual muscle and only able to bench 25 pounds on the bench press of biblical understanding and insight. Rather it for the one having already exercised, having gathered their thoughts and answers able to provide when asked. It is for the one who has spent hours and hours of a dedicated walk constantly stretching ones self beyond ones comfort zone. It is also not for the one who believes it is enough for one just to pick up the bible point to a passage and go God speak to me. If for no other reason than Mr. Black will radically challenge the way you view your own discipleship and commitment to Christ. This is a book where it will be impossible for you to read and remain in a comfort zone.
This is what I have gathered being only a couple of chapter’s in at this point. Do I think I will agree with everything in this book NO! but one think is for sure and I am confident in There will also be some things, I totally agree with being a social liberal, in certain areas.. There are also things about the church, the body of Christ, that I will be shouting for joy on. For while I am a Reformed Calvin on grace and election. I believe that for the most part the church in America resembles nothing of the church represented in the new testament. The church in America resembles more of a business some even resembling more of a fast food chain restaurant, opening franchises throughout. I too agree with Mr Blacks assessment of what I see God doing in America. I agree with the Anabaptists call away from a clergy led top down ministry perspective to a every-member ministry truth.
So funny as I begin a series of posts this Sunday looking at the role of the church in Christendom. The arrival and timing of this book. God had a purpose here to call me to a radial discipleship and to challenge me. He had another purpose to as I decry a ego centric authoritative full time vocational ministerial perspective, that says I have the answers I am a Pastor. That is to let me know I am not alone in this cry; there are other’s as well who are taking up this cry.
To quote Mr Blacks perspective:
“I have begun to witness a major paradigm shift from cultural Christianity to radical discipleship. It appears that God is raising up a group of Jesus-followers who understand that regardless of secondary and tertiary issues, evangelical's, need to start acting like Christian’s if we are to build the kingdom of God among every people of the world. There seems to be a growing realization that every member of Christ’s Body needs to be involved in kingdom work, not just paid professional's. This will not happen unless we face our own materialism and even laziness, unless we deliberately choose to live more simply so that other’s may simply live. I believe it is time for repentance from selfish ambition and theological snobbery.”
I am looking forward to sharing more and I am sure with the upcoming post’s on the church I will be. Then sharing a final book review, as I complete it. If your hanging out in the spiritual gym I recommend reading The Jesus Paradigm by David Allan Black. If your not you may not want to as you may find it too challenging calling you past what Mr Black refers to as “materilism and laziness… choosing to live simply so others may live.”
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