Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne is not a feel-good book. His goal is to make you uncomfortable. Claiborne believes in taking seriously the teachings of Jesus, something which will, in Claiborne’s words, “mess you up.”
Claiborne is part of a group called The Simple Way. The members of this community seek to live among the poor and outcast, eschewing the comforts of suburban life. They do so, not out of a sense of masochism, but out of a deep conviction that they must live out Jesus’ words. They must help the poor and feed the hungry. They must seek social justice (part of which is avoidance of all goods produced through oppressive conditions). Claiborne makes his own clothes. He has gone to jail numerous times for his beliefs.
One of his most “radical” acts was to travel to Baghdad at the time the U.S. invasion was beginning. Arguing that pacifism is not passivity, Claiborne went to show the people of Iraq that Christianity was not attacking their country, that a nation was attacking their country.
The book is a biography of sorts. It’s mainly stories. What theology is present is presented through example, not Bible study. It’s a theology of the streets.
Sometimes Claiborne’s words come off a bit “holier than thou.” Sometimes, despite his claims to the contrary, you get the sense that Claiborne revels in the cool factor of what he does. But I don’t doubt his sincerity. I may not agree with all of his convictions, but I can’t accuse him of not living according to those convictions.
Which is something that we all need to do. We may not all choose such a radical response to the gospel (and Claiborne argues that not everyone has to), but I have to think that reading this book can help us seek out the stains of hypocrisy in our own lives.
I encourage you to read Irresistible Revolution. It’ll mess you up.
(As one who dabbles in graphic design on an amateur level, I have to say that the layout of this book is amazing, particularly the chapter transitions. And, for those who might be wondering, all of the proceeds from the book are donated to ministry)
Irresistible Revolution is a must-read. It was one of the most challenging books I’ve read. You don’t have to agree with everything in the book, but it’s still a must read. And yes, it will rock your spiritual world.
I went to hear Claiborne speak last summer. His speaking is just like his book.
Thanks Tim, for the review.
Trey, have you also read Jesus For President? I’m interested in reading that book by Claiborne.
I loved the book. I borrowed it from our campus minister who is a bit like Claiborne in a lot of ways. When I first finished it, I was terribly convicted and knew my life had to change in a lot of ways. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t change in all the ways I planned, but in a couple ways – I’m a lot more content with all the things I have, even thinking I have too much and finding ways to share what I have with people who need it. (In fact, Dan & I are having our second yard
salegiveaway tomorrow.) And I have a lot more sympathy for people in the community who are considered “poor,” and our congregation together works harder to reach out to them. Like you, I didn’t agree with everything totally, but it was still really inspiring & challenging to see someone actually live out what they preached.That’s neat, Lisa, about the giveaway. The congregation my aunt and uncle attend in the Dallas area does a huge annual giveaway. They gather stuff for a year, then give it away to the public. They even get lots of donations from companies like American Airlines, etc.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Even though I thought the book is trying to attract bees with more vinegar than honey at times, it is a good read and it will rattle one’s cage. What is amazing is that when talking to others who have read the book, the majority have had the reactions shared by everyone on this blog. Then of course, there have been a couple of readers who reacted as though this book was the fifth gospel in our Bibles and not surprisingly, those people were young college students who struck me as still having that radical idealism with regards to Christianity (which isn’t a bad thing necessarily). One the opposite side, I have met a few Christians who read the book and were thoroughly discusted by it. I found it interesting that these were people who had been blessed (?) to gain more than the average material possesions.
In light of all the reactions, I wonder if the best thing about a book like this is what it might reveal about our hearts and passion through the way we react. Of course, I believe if mainstream Christianity truly undersood the message of the Sermon on the Mount, there might be simialar reactions. What would that say about our hearts and passion?
Grace and peace,
Rex
Rex,
The main criticisms I’ve seen come from those who completely reject pacifism as an option.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I read it last year at Trey’s recommendation. I agree that Shande does sometimes sound like he likes the cool factor, but how cannot you not tell a story like his without infusing a little of that into it. His passion is great and he makes some great points. Obviously we cannot all go to the extremes he does, but the book does cause one to think.
There are a couple of other books like this I am reading now such as Saving Jesus From the Church. I certainly don’t agree with everything in that one, but what I try to do is find the main theme that runs through the books and find a way to apply that.
David,
Good point about trying to apply the main theme. It’s easy to look at a story like Claiborne’s and say, “I can’t do all that,” and ignore his message. Better to see what parts of what he says can challenge us to greater things.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
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Your response to the book seems to be very much like mine. I would love to spend a few days with Claiborne to more accurately understand the relation of his spirit to that of the book. The book will challenge you to consider afresh what it means to follow Christ. Say “Hi” to your family for me.