Skip to main content

Book Review: Resurrecting Religion

I was reluctant to read this book. Many attempts to discuss religion fall into the critique of religion as a hollow faith existence of following rules and human structures. I was worried that Greg Paul may have been falling into that camp. I was pleasantly incorrect. Paul provides a clear, concise, practical examination of what religion is and how it is absolutely vital to the existence of the Christian faith.

This book responds to two fronts that are dismantling religion as a vital human experience. The first is the "relationship over religion" argument. This grows out of an expression of faith seeking people. They profess that church conduct is no longer relevant. The structures that are in place have put a stumbling block in the way of people finding authentic faith. What matters more is the pursuit of a relationship with Christ.

The other front is the generalized anti-faith argument that religion is source of community unrest and societal problems. This point is raised out of the historical conflicts between, and among, faith communities.

Greg Paul digs into the book of James, supported by the New Testament, to point out the true nature and calling of Christian religion. Paul's conviction of what the Church truly stands for grows out of the work that has been done by the Sanctuary community in Toronto, Canada. Through the ministry of this community, rich and poor, established and street-people, mingle and live among one another. Here, the author points out, is the work of the Kingdom of God.

I have a lot of respect for what seems to be happening in Sanctuary Toronto's witness and work. It would appear that people have removed the structures of race, wealth, status, and power that have been applied, even in most of our churches, so that humans can see one another for who they truly are.

Resurrecting Religion gets to the truest essence of religion - the Kingdom of God. And that is not the image of our churches that we are so comfortable with. It is going out among the people Jesus associated with. It is dealing with the power brokers to upset their authority and comfort to level the mountains and raise up the valleys of society. It is being honest about living out faith.

This book is easy to read. It provides personal experiences mixed with explanation of biblical passages. It would be useful for Sunday School studies. Most importantly, it is helpful to read to gain understanding that not all Christians fall into a stereotypical model. There are some who are striving to do what is represented in the Bible as the service to communities and social structures.

This book was provided as a complimentary advance reader copy at no cost in exchange for a review by Tyndale House Publishers.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What dreams may come

Now it's time to say goodbye To all our company.... The Mickey Mouse Club closed out it's episodes by singing this tune. I feel the time has come to sing this song for my blog. It isn't that I don't have anything say. It has more to do with my change and changing life.  I am still very much a postmodern - even though that word is not used anymore. Modernity has slipped and is a shadow of the past. Where we are now is cultural revolution. We are in the midst of it. Those who have moved on from what we were are now trying to establish the foothold for climbing to a place of cultural security. Meanwhile those who hold onto what we were are grabbing at the last places we have moved beyond. At the same time, they are pulling at the shoelaces of those who have moved upward, trying to dislodge our forward and upward advance.  I am still very much a renaissance person - but not for the sake of others. I still like having a connection to as many subjects as possible. A little bi...
2 comments
Read more

Frequently Asked (and Unasked) Questions of Your New Pastor

A week ago, I got the call that informed me that I will be appointed to a new church. My family will be moving to the Panhandle of Oklahoma. I will be serving the Turpin and Baker UMChurches. Lisa and I are excited about the possibilities. But moving into a new setting always brings questions. So, for anyone from the new churches who may end up reading this, here are some of the answers you will be wanting to know. What do we call you? Pastor, preacher, brother, Hey You? What you call a pastor depends on your background and tradition. I don’t expect anyone to call me anything specific. But here are some helpful guidelines: • Reverend is a formal title best used for official address and invitations or business letters • Pastor is what I do and my relationship to the church. It is fine for people to call me Pastor Todd. Or even just Pastor. • Preacher is also what I do. I don’t mind people calling me Preacher. • “Hey, you” is perfectly fine until you get to know me. • Above all...
10 comments
Read more

Displaced

We have moved into our new appointment. Thus the delay in posting. Plus a week at camp. But mostly an overwhelming sense of being displaced. I'm not sure where it is coming from. It's really a feeling of disassociation with what is going on around me. I normally feel fairly secure in any environment or setting. But I have really been struggling with a mental "wall" around me. It's not really anything to do with the new churches. We have been warmly welcomed and received by everyone that we have met. The men of the church were there to help us move in. The new house is having the finishing touches put on. The worship services are not too stressful. This is really a sense of feeling like, "I'm not really here." It could be a very mild form of depression or grieving our last appointment. But I am very excited about what can happen in this appointment. So I have been pushing myself out of my routine and beyond my personality limits to meet and connect wi...
7 comments
Read more