Customer Reviews: Read 136 more reviews...
 a great book! January 6, 2009
Shane is a witty writer and a great man of God. He has so much vision for the kingdom that he has put into practice in his own life. I was really impacted and challenged as I read his story. I recommend all of his books and writings. Challenge the status quo in your spiritual life!!
 A Good Inspirational First Step but Not Much Else January 6, 2009
This book was something, like Carl Orr (another reviewer), that I really wanted to like. It came highly recommended by two friends whom I trust and then I saw the Amazon rating was near full so I took considerable comfort in knowing this wasn't a terrible book. But after getting into it, I'm not sure I would agree anymore.
First off, I loved the first few chapters. Highly inspirational as Claiborne takes us through his early years, questioning how this American Christianity can have so much potential (as stewards of so much of the world's resources) yet do so little for "the least of these". This journey takes him to serve under Mother Teresa and work directly with villages that are affected by leprosy. Yet when he returns from this magical time back to the US, the way he goes about living out the gospel leaves me wanting in many significant ways.
Claiborne never shows or provides a deeper discussion into the complexities and nuances of the issues that can and should be transformed by the Church. For example, many chapters are devoted to his reaching out to the affected Iraqi people, the innocents (said tongue in cheek) in a war where the lines between civilians and terrorists are blurred, where civilians are used as shields, I believe there is a responsibility to act, and to act justly. Claiborne believes the only Christian move is pacifism, to love our enemies, to turn our "swords into plowshares", our "spears into pruning hooks".
I believe in the inerrancy of scripture, I believe - as children of God and disciples of Christ Jesus - we are to live our lives today to show others what the future redeemed world and new kingdom will be like; but I also believe that sin is rampant in this world and that there may be conflicts and complexities that we must consider in order to live out this truth. Yet along this line there is absolutely no conversation from Claiborne, and this leaves me quite unfulfilled and wanting.
Additionally, as someone called to work in corporate America (where are the shout-outs to us, huh Claiborne? ha!) and live my life as a disciple in this context, there was very little in the book that really applied to me. Again, the motivational first few chapters were great and it rejuvenated me momentarily but when you really want to take it to the next step and run with scripture it does little (if anything at all) to compel me to do so.
Maybe I am a weak Christian, immobilized by fear and sin, using logic and reasoning as excuses to act and serve others, but moreso I just think that Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution is one in the same with other revolutionaries of this world - able to critique the ills and errs of this world but no tangible steps beyond that for Christians who agree with his critique.
Be ready for a revolution! December 29, 2008
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone that dosen't want to look at the world in a radical new way. If you think you are "Christian" read this and take a long hard look in the mirror..
It is a great read and very eye opening and thought provoking.
Great Book December 14, 2008
Great book, challenging and a great conversation sparker. Claiborne is not afraid to say what he thinks, and this doesn't sit well with some people, but it challenges them to grow and wrestle.
Life changing December 7, 2008
The book certainly has its problems. For example, why is this humble, selfless man writing a story about himself? Nevertheless, the book opened my eyes to true, fundamental Christianity, that explains how God likely meant for us to live. He tells stories about the amazing things he and others have done to spread the word of God, and all of the stories made me want to be a better person. After so many years of being disappointed with "Christians" who felt themselves entitled to tell others they are going to Hell, etc. This book honestly, single-handedly, revived my faith in the Christian church.
I have read some of the 1-star reviews and would like to add more:
While Shane has chosen a life of humility and homelessness (like Jesus), I did not get the impression that he felt it a sin to live any other way. Instead, he reassures the notion that everyone has a different gift to offer the world. That is why there are physicians, teachers, engineers, etc. We just have to remember what that purpose is and try not to get too caught up in all the money we wish we had.
|
