 2008-11-09 - Wow
Amazing book. A must read for any Christian who has felt closeted by the cultures depiction of Christians as violent, intolerant, elitists. For those of us who know there is another way to be a Christian that includes living nonviolence in all areas of our lives and really taking seriously Christ's tendency to hang with the poor and outcasts in our society. Makes the reader question their relationship to class and economic systems.
"The words of late Catholic bishop Dom Hleder Camara: 'When I fed the hungry, they called me a saint. When I asked why people are hungry, they called me a communist.' Charity wins awards and applause, but joining the poor gets you killed." -- Page 129
2008-11-04 - Read with an open mind...
This is not a book written by a professor of theology or an award winning author. It is written by a regular person, like you or me, who discovered that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a "pearl of great value" and took the next step and sold everything he owned to buy it.
Aside from being a very thought-provoking book, Irresistable Revolution has special value to me because it inspired me to take a step of faith and use my professional skills on a short term mission trip. I am the first admit that I am a "crawling" Christian, but it is my opinion that the only way to truly grow spiritually is by living out your faith serving those in need.
Shane should not be praised for being an extrodinary Christian. He should just be taken as an excellent lesson in the way that we are called to live. Even if you disagree with large sections of this book (as many reviewers have), you should definately read it for its shining example of the amazing things that can be done through you if you let your life be lead by Christ.
2008-11-03 - Someone who hears the message of Jesus in his heart
Shane hears what Jesus says clearly and is putting it to work in the world. He is challenging others to live, love, stop war, share with the poor. He is inpsired to try to build a new culture inside the old. I love it. I am with him. It is time to change the old paradigm of getting ahead, by living in competition, hoarding resources, and dropping bombs on people for whatever reason. As he says quoting Ghandi: There is enough for everyones need but not for everyones greed. Peace and jam on brother!
 2008-11-02 - getting back to the basics
I really enjoyed Shane's view on making things simple. Love each other, share with each other, love Jesus. His way of life is not easy for people to take, and hard to follow... but by making small changes, this book and its philosophy can help guide your life to a great new place!!!
2008-10-31 - Shane Claiborne's Manifesto
Love him or hate him, you can't say that Shane Claiborne doesn't make you think. In "The Irresistible Revolution," Claiborne challenges the Church to think differently about poverty, materialism, and love. Part memoir, part manifesto, the book follows Claiborne from his Tennessee childhood to working with Mother Teresa to starting the Simple Way in Philadelphia. While I don't agree with all of his statements (a few times he considers "military intelligence" to be an oxymoron), Claiborne has definitely inspired me to think differently about how I can help make the world a better place.
|
