I'm all for new material, I also understand the fact many of these guys aren't insanely wealthy and they make money from their publications--and there's NOTHING wrong with that--but it does saturate the missional book market.

All that to say that Frost, somewhat ironically, echoes my sentiments on missional saturation. I would like to see these authors spend time creating a magnus opus for the missional hermeneutic rather than a new book every six months!

Enough with the griping, let's do a brief review.

Frost's book 'The Road to Missional' is an attempt to reclaim the word 'missional' from the grips of conventional churches bent on finding a new buzzword to meet the annual fixation for something new and 'relevant'.

By reclamation Frost is trying to reduce the missional movement from 'flavour of the month' to foundational paradigm. Much like other Frost books the issue is to re-orient the church back in-line with a Christ-centric vision.

The first half of the book largely deals with the attempt to push this paradigm re-orientation of 'mission' from that of either left-wing Kingdom centric works, or right-wing evangelistic conversion, into something more holistic. This exploration pushes towards the re-identification of our churches, and perhaps our faith, towards the simplicity of the Gospel.

His exegesis to support his Gospel position (what is the Gospel?) is robust enough to get readers thinking in another suitable direction. For me, I appreciated Frost and his attempt to find a balance between both the issue of treating 'gospel' as merely proclamation (right wing conservative posture), vs good works (Kingdom centric more akin to those reacting against the former posture).

The Gospel is incomplete when you're in either ditch, this had me thinking how do I communicate this position in my 'missional' church. Do I need to re-orient our simple community back towards the center?

Frost's journey from mission, to Gospel, to scripture, to Kingdom, back to mission, is one worth taking. I felt at times he was synched in line with an NT Wright book, but maybe that's because I'm reading too many of these kinds of books and I'm finally developing my own 'missional hermeneutic'.

All that to say, if Frost doesn't write another book in a while this 'The Road to Missional' acts as a lasting contribution to the missional dialogue. A classic? Probably not, one of the better missional books of 2011? Probably.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Road To Missional – Frost Review is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Sacrilege follows the same narrative as his pervious books, charting out interesting stories about mission and community legitimized through a journey through scripture.

In this case every chapter was an exploration around a central idea of one particular verse in the Matthew 5 Beatitudes. It was really cool for me to read through right after preaching through the same series. I resonated with many of his ideas and had a good sense our own missional community was on the right track (the track of figuring it out as we go along previewing the Kingdom of God in our neighborhoods and beyond.)

For the Conservative Christian reader they'll be offended in a variety of places, but my hope is many will pick this book up, and even if you hate it, it will plant the proverbial seed in the hardened heart of those who have a faith that's more like Pharisees than a Jesus movement (no not THAT Jesus Movement).

The title "Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus" is a bit of a misnomer. They are Jesus' ways ergo they are the foundation for orthodoxy. The fact Jesus' Beatitudes have been reduced to rules and regulations to uphold rules and regulations highlights our need for a refreshed perspective of the Gospel.

As with many of these missional church writers (they aren't he worse by the way), I'm getting a bit tired with the 'new book every 8 months'. Alan Hirsch I think has a new one ever 4. Yes, they can write, some with great thoughts, but part of me wonders why you have to write something every few months? Yes, the publisher wants more books to sell, yes you get more money, but when it comes to lasting ideas, the magnus opus, well that doesn't happen when you're reiterating the same material every year.

Obviously there's a business reason behind all of this, but there's a saturation point for materials on 'missional church' (most from the same people).

So having said that, Halter's book isn't THAT much different than the last two. I would highly recommend reading at least one, and using one as a study guide for your formation around the ideas of missional church. His practical writing style is very accessible to the 'lay person' and will have an impact on your perception of community.

Do you have to get every Halter release? Probably not. But Sacrilege was certainly enjoyable.

Note: "This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Book Review: Sacrilege – Hugh Halter is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Young people under-18 are being exposed to the material earlier and earlier, but the issue grabs addicts right across the age spectrum. What's worse about the addiction to pornographic material is the seeming inability for the church to even have an honest discussion about a subject that's still enormously taboo.

Luckily there are more relevant resources rolling out that go beyond the 'control your drives through prayer and fasting' (I say somewhat tongue in cheek).

Eyes of Integrity: The Porn Pandemic and How It Affects You, is an XXXChurch.com resource. Their experience from the porn industry provide a behind the scenes perspective missing from most resource books.

For it's part the book provides insight, stats, and stories to the pandemic in North America regarding pornographic use. They also highlight and educate readers on common misconceptions about the industry that's now essentially a lucrative online enterprise with spillover into traditional forms of sexual exploitation. The exploitive component will highlight the common misunderstanding that girls working in the industry do so as a result of their own sinful choices rather than a result of past abuse.

Solutions are of course the only reason these kinds of books are purchased. Eyes of integrity, like many print books on the subject, is bundled with software and more books. There's an obvious pragmatic reason behind the products--they need to pay bills--but the value of these resources is largely worth the cost.

I haven't gone over all the materials, however, the simple concept of accountability is perhaps the greatest tool for recovery and prevention. If you've ever attended a church service with mostly recovering addicts you'll get the sense that, "once an addict always an addict." THere's some truth to that, and perhaps offers a cautionary tale to anybody who thinks they aren't ensnarled in the web of online pornography and that pulling out of that realm will be easy.

Despite their up-selling of additional resources, the XXXChurch organization does provide some valuable and FREE tools to help with the problem--which is the ultimate purpose of this book. You can download a free version of their X3 Watch software that enables partners to keep each other accountable over their web surfing.

Although there were some components where a largely Christian bias on gender roles was evident, for the most part Craig Gross and Jason Harper accurately reflected cause and effect. Although most of the items pertaining to prevention are common sense, it will certainly be welcome information for less tech savvy parents and pastors.

This review made from a Baker Books review program.

The Age of Porn Upon Us – Eyes of Integrity is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

There must be an obvious demand for this type of material, and although I appreciate the direction David C Cook is taking, I would opt for a blog form for books that are short and poignant like Carl's. Of course, you do'nt make money off of blogs as a publisher, so you print a book.

"Speaking of Jesus" has a sub-title of "the art of not-evangelism" which provides a bit more clarity with respect to the books direction. Essentially, cast off the religious rituals and expectations, and instead, replace it with a renewed pursuit of Jesus.

Sunday school was right, the answer is always Jesus. I remember reading through while I was simultaneously writing a sermon on Matthew 5:10-12 where persecution wasn't attributed to those who proselytized, but those who lived out righteousness. My reading on these verses is: it's not the ways you can change people's beliefs that matter, but how you can act like Jesus in their lives operating as previews of the Kingdom of God.

Most of the book was essentially a reiteration of my reading of the Beatitudes. Must like the story Medearis includes about the proselytizer who thought it was wisest to randomly and loudly walk around a strip mall condemning gays, Catholics, etc., only to wind up being assaulted.

Rather than see the err in his ways (the plank in his own eye) the man proclaimed matter of factually,

...if you're not being persecuted then what you're preaching isn't real.

The Beatitudes are the complete opposite of this asinine position. That's just the thing. Some people jealously guard against traditions and systems while completely forgetting about what Jesus actually previewed for the disciples. That is, blessed are the persecuted for my name sake--as in those who are intentional participants in righting wrongs (on specifically in the Beatitudes those who pursued righteousness).

The book will hopefully challenge some to re-assess their faith priorities.

Medearis is gaining a bit more attention as of late mostly due to his work in the mid-East. I read his Tea with Hezbollah book and enjoyed that. This one is a bit of a change in writing style, but it's a quick easy read that you may wish to pass along to friends.

Check out a video for the book

Carl Medearis – Speaking of Jesus is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

First, Hirsch & Frost in their book 'Faith of Leap' on love:

...all Christian spirituality can be traced back to Jesus's complete (re)affirmation of the shema--the unavoidable call to live a life of wholeness under the One True God, loving him with heart, soul, mind, strength, and loving one's neighbors as oneself....To love is to suffer...and that's probably why we generally do'nt do it well. Unwillingness to venture, plus a desire to be safe, holds us back from love.....Most of us prefer to skip over the pain and the disicpline, to find some easy, off-the-shelf ways to sainthood.

And then from the same book, a quote from Douglas Coupland on the middle class:

...When you're middle class, you have to live with the fact that history will ignore you. You have to live with the fact history can never champion your causes and that history will never feel sorry for you. It is the price for day-to-day comfort and silence. And because of this price, all happinesses are sterile; all sadnesses go unpitied.

QOD: Hirsch, Frost, and Coupland is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

This is a book to give to grandma. I know that's not much of a review but it basically outlines the makeup of this hardcover. Grandma will appreciate the Fall leaves on the cover and the quick stories Campolo provides in each section.

Based on his exploration of Romans 8, Campolo essentially provides mini 'Daily Bread-esque' stories of about 300-600 words each.

This of course begs the questions: why didn't he just write a year long blog and develop his brand/network/following that way? More people would've read the stories in that fashion.

But no, Americans still have a lust for books so this one was pumped out.

I enjoyed it. Lots of fodder for future sermons (if that's your thing). But it's not one that will come out again and again (unless it's a coffee book). More of a gift for someone interested in Romans. Like I said, Grandma might like this book, but overall, do it in blog format next time.

2 stars out of 5.

Stories That Feed Your Soul – Review is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

....Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering. With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly optimistic—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins.

As quick as lightning the new conservatives lead by John Piper et al, slammed Bell, essentially condemning him to Hell (I didn't know neo-Reformers had final judgement capabilities), and lambasting the book.

But they've missed two critical elements that any sane person would realise.

1) Nobody has read the book yet. They just got excited over excerpts. That brings me to point 2.

2) HarperOne is gleefully appreciated of the negativity spouted by conservative Christians (John Piper, eventually Mark Driscoll, The Gospel Coalition). Why? Because to HarperOne it's all about dollar bills/

They are in the business of selling books and now because of the fundamentalist row they'll sell a BUNDLE! Do you really think the 'Left Behind Series' was created because it was great theology (where are the conservatives and their clanging bloggers on this one)? No.

I know ghost writers who were approached by Tyndale to write the series. They turned it down because it was terrible. Johnny and Tim didn't. They wrote a book off a concept from the publishers because they knew America's Christian fascination with end-times would sell MILLIONS of books. And they did.

Is Rob Bell a universalist? I don't know, I haven't read the book, and better yet, I haven't talked to Rob Bell personally.

I do know this. Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, etc., they are not theologians. They are English writers or pastors kids. In fact, there are few theologians willing to publicly throw their weight behind the Emergent movement (or the emerging church of this generation which would include Rob Bell who is not part of the Emergent movement).

Unfortunately for them heavyweight conservative/reformed theologians spend their moments picking apart these books, and usually the author as well, despite unequal playing field.

Now, I get we have to hold writers accountable since they may not be theologians but their writings may affect reader's theology. But having said that, the reason why Emergent is without heavyweight support in its theology isn't necessarily because it's heresy. It's more likely because systematic or biblical theologians are afraid of getting caught up in personal attacks and calculated vitriol spouted by conservatives. They know they can't enter the debate without being completely run out of conservative town.

I know this because I've spoken to a few who could've jumped in during the mid-90s, but it was risky then just as it's suicide now.

Sad the only time we hear from these Christians (and when others on the outside in hear) is when they're complaining or bitterly resentful of another human being.

Rob Bell’s – Love Wins Catches Conservative Ire is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Colors of God was an interesting book for two reasons: format and content. The format was a 'conversation' between three people. I found this confusing at best and it certainly shaped the quality of the book (for better or worse I can't really say). The other was content: the exploration of an emerging Emergent church from a classic Canadian evangelical context. Given this is a Canadian blog I can say the materials about Canadian church plants are scarce so it's a treat to read about one.

I didn't find the premise of three separate voices in print conducive to the creation of a memorable reading text. The trio essentially used their DNA from the church plant and translated into book form complete with some anecdotes. The four major elements were described in color-coded segments. Blue for the gospel faith, Green for Healthy Living, Red for Inclusive Community, and Yellow for Cultural Engagement.

There are some interesting sections, particularly around their take on the gospel and its contrast to the shame-filled evangelical gospel peddled by the majority of conservative churches today, that were insightful. In fact, that's probably the book's best trait, a good read for evangelicals who think they have all the answers, or people exposed to evangelicalism and wondering if their faith is worth more.

Some people will complain about the exegesis, but frankly, to suggest you have the 'right' hermeneutic to interpret scripture probably means you're stuck within an old paradigm of church anyways and you'll be more at odds with the book than garner anything of benefit (or maybe it's just the right fix for you!) Others may have been put off by their flippant treatment of 'absolutes'. I think the whole book was a conversation to say, "hey, ask the question and we'll give you an honest answers", and less about, "we're trying to be unnecessarily contentious and outside of orthodox Christianity".

Having said this there is little in this book that separates it from other Emergent books about groups of people striking out from the mother ship and starting a church that's not afraid to ask questions and accept raw humanity. That is apart from one crucial aspect, they are Canadians and they come from a Canadian context. That's rare to find in book form.

2 stars out of 5, but an extra .5 of a star for being Canadian. 2.5 out of 5.

Colors of God – Peters, Phillips, Steen is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

First off, Laughing with Sarah by Gene Jennings, certainly a far cry from the usual theooze offerings. This one seemed to be from a regular pastor from a regular multi-site church in a regular suburb somewhere in the US. The book starts in the forward with, "this is a book of sermons." Uh oh, you've lost me.

I'm skeptical of sermons, not because I don't think they're necessary, but because I think it's a failed exercise in a post-Christendom world. The last thing I want to do on a Sunday morning is sit and listen to someone talk for 40 minutes. Now I'm supposed to read about it? WIth that bias in mind I breezed through the book and heck, enjoyed what I took in, but I just couldn't shake it from my head that some poor sap had to sit and listen to the whole spiel for 45 minutes.

Story telling or sermons, whatever you want to call it, shouldn't be longer than TV. I don't' even pay attention to TV for 20 minutes, let along 40. Hopefully these chapters (sermons) were cut up into 3-4 parts. I know they weren't, but I would embrace that way.

So in terms of the run of the mill sermon content, these chapters in Laughing with Sarah are better than average. Why it's in book form I have no idea. This is something you should be able to get for free from the church website or blog. 1 star out of 5.

Moving on to the second book, which I'm still hashing through: The Gospel You've Never Heard from David Rudel. Firstly, he could have spent more time editing this edition because it seemed to be rushed. Secondly, he could also benefit from an extensive bibliography. Why a bibliography? Because the postulations he makes are at some points stupendously heretical.... or at least to the average churchgoer looking to pick a fight.

This is a tough book to get through not because of its writing, but because of its content. Chapter after chapter run of the mill evangelicals are challenged to abandon status quo theology and instead explore what scripture might actually say. A bibliography would've helped me research in depth some of the statements he was making. Since I don't have his resources I'm left with more questions than answers, and more skepticism than acceptance.

That's not to say this is a book to avoid. In fact, I'm a HUGE fan of books that challenge the mundane status quo that is evangelicals (usually loosely based on some spawn of reformed theology) that's left the church utterly powerless today. I recommend picking this title up and taking the ideas seriously, but exploring your own answers to the questions Rudel raises. 3 out of 5.

Laughing With Sarah and Gospel You’ve Never Heard Review is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

There's a reason why I almost put down 'Jesus Manifesto' by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, the first 1/3 was kind of dull. Not because the information was boring, but it was kind of redundant, and 'obvious'. Mind you, I think that's the point, to me a conversation for three chapters on the centrality of Jesus to the Christian faith isn't necessary.

I can understand why it was crucial to include because their target market need to hear the obvious message because the foundation of Jesus has been lost in American churches.

With that being said, the final 1/3 of the book got me thinking about some important questions. For me personally, it forced me to explore some ideas in a way only an NT Wright publication could.... That's a tall order indeed and part of the reason I would recommend this book to the right person.

Jesus Manifesto is so obvious yet so crucial. Christianity today has been taken over by declining yet loud conservative and/or prosperity voice. Most churches in North America glorify only a few core things whether they know it or not: their lead pastor, money, the Bible.

The lead pastor is the CEO leader who gets all the face time. The Bible is set up on a pedestal that not even Jesus can supplant. Both are the wrong things to glorify. Lately, it seems the message coming out of Christianity are two things: do the right things to gain the favour of God and live in prosperity, and fight the moral cause to bash gays, ban abortion, and prop up creationism.

Something perhaps worthy to fight, but not cornerstones of the Christian faith.

In comes Jesus Manifesto which essentially points out the elephant in the room, or in this case the missing Jesus in our churches. We've replaced the CHRIST in CHRISTiaity with convenient truths that help pad the pews rather than seeking out a humble and authentic relationship with the creator of the universe.

The absolute foundation of the Christian faith is rooted in the person of Jesus Christ who, through his death and resurrection, rescued humanity while simultaneously leading his church and people to be part of the rescue plan of redemption here on earth. And this is only a glimpse of the grand revelation behind Christ (then and now).

Sweet and Viola could have lamented on the meaningless things that consume our time in church today, but rather, they focus squarely on the Jesus revelation, and how through Jesus we develop our identity and our response.

But this isn't just a 'be like Jesus call'.

I've been breaking down a paradigm of mine that believes the journey of a Christian is to 'be like Jesus'. It suggests that our job, or our pursuit, is to live a life more and more like Jesus Christ. I've been re-thinking this attitude namely because I don't think that's the whole story to the Christian life. Sure, you can construct a case to support the 'be like Jesus' clause, but I'm noticing something different when I read the New Testament. Here's where the book really come through for me personally.

The construct of 'be like Jesus' implies there's a) something you can do to earn 'more' of something from God, b) if we don't do 'enough' of whatever it is we're left with a sense of guilt and shame, c) the bible is clear that we cannot work towards anything, we're either saved by grace entirely or not, and most important d) to suggest we can 'be like Jesus' means we can individually pursue on our own strength, and gain enough knowledge, to know God.

Why is the last component so crucial? Because 'imitate Jesus' is a pursuit of knowledge. This is a stark contrast to what we find the gospels where Jesus lives in us and us in him. The former is an empty pursuit that leads to frustration, the latter outlines the incarnation of the gospel indwelt within the Christian.

We have received the fullness of Christ which leads to glimpses of the real Jesus for others. Those outside of the church will no longer see vain religion but Christ's love for them. Trying to 'be like Christ' is the tireless quest that breeds failure and relies on rules and regulations. This is the basis for formulaic (and empty) religion which people can also see.

When we opt to care more about rules sand regulations and morality over relationships and love of people, we no longer communicate the fullness of the gospel.

It's not about what cause (be it the abortion debate or daily devotions) you fight for, that's a vain pursuit, but how our Christian faith is rooted in the indwelling Christ which impacts the way we live.

Christians need to rethink whether they're seriously grounded in Jesus, or whether he's a fleeting expression that we've watered down to fit our empty and increasingly lifeless church and personal endeavors.

Jesus Manifesto gets 3.5 stars out of 5. This review was part of a free book for review program with Booksneeze.com.

Review: Jesus Manifesto by Len Sweet and Frank Viola is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives