Monday, September 18, 2006

Another Taste of Claiborne

Here is another excerpt from Shane Claiborne's "The Irresistible Revolution". I can't put it down, and I hope all of you will have the blessing of reading it also.


"The Gospel is good news for the sick people and is disturbing for those who think they've got it all together. Some of us have been told our whole lives that we are wretched, but the Gospel reminds us we are beautiful. Others of us have been told our whole lives that we are beautiful, but the Gospel also reminds us that we are wretched. The church is a place where we can stand up and say we are wretched, and everyone will nod and agree and remind us that we are also beautiful. One thing I've learned from believers and from activists alike is that community can be built around common self-righteousness or around a common brokenness. Both are magnetic. People are drawn toward folks who have it all together, or who look like they do. People are also drawn toward folks who know they don't have it all together and are not willing to fake it. Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That's the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world and crying out to God, groaning for grace. That's the Christianity I have fallen in love with".


I could give you more.......LOTS more. But then you wouldn't need to read it yourself! :)

5 Comments:

At 10:50 AM, Blogger Lara said...

It sounds really good. Do you ever loan out books? (Hint..hint)

Box 12249

 
At 12:24 PM, Blogger David U said...

I lend them out ALL the time! But, this one is already spoken for.....sorry! Any others I have you are MORE than welcome to.

DU

 
At 12:25 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, I thought you were talking about LIZ Claiborne!

 
At 3:56 PM, Blogger Keith said...

How is it that every book you read is more powerful than the book you just finished? That paragraph is richer than most chapters I've read in some books. (and we both know what an avid reader I am) Good stuff dude. Keep it coming.

 
At 11:23 PM, Blogger Nancy French said...

Keith,

That is particularly true... until he reads MY book. Then, it'll be down hill from there.

 

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