Comments on: The Cruciform Church http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:57:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Dan Smith http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-68242 Dan Smith Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:32:39 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-68242 I, too, was greatly blessed with Leonard's original edition. Since (no, not sence) then, I've read "Brand Jesus" by Tyler Wigg Stevenson. Here's a review from the Amazon site: In this groundbreaking work, Tyler Wigg Stevenson examines America's culture of consumerism, identifying the patterns by which Americans establish meaning for their lives through their purchasing habits. Having accomplished this significant task of cultural muckraking, Wigg Stevenson successfully shows that American evangelicals have shaped their message to fit into this culture of consumption, making Jesus a commodity and rendering true discipleship next to impossible. The book's chief strength is its thoroughgoing Biblicism. Structured by Romans chapters 1, 2 and 12, the book manages to offer a message drawn from the scriptures without being hijacked by either the right or the left. Because the offering of a "quick fix" solution to the church's problems would be nothing but pandering to the same sense of consumerism that he laments, Wigg Stevenson does not conclude the book with a "12 step" plan that can restore the evangelical church to its apostolic state. He does, however, cast a vision of a church that, while having to compete in the early 21st century marketplace of meaning, refuses to offer Jesus as a commodity. Instead, the vision cast in this book is one in which confused seekers come to the church seeking a commodity, but are offered not a product but an invitation to Christian discipleship. Anyone looking to better understand the relationship between evangelicalism and American consumer culture should carefully read and digest this book. Its message could not be more timely. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Get it!!! I, too, was greatly blessed with Leonard’s original edition. Since (no, not sence) then, I’ve read “Brand Jesus” by Tyler Wigg Stevenson. Here’s a review from the Amazon site:

In this groundbreaking work, Tyler Wigg Stevenson examines America’s culture of consumerism, identifying the patterns by which Americans establish meaning for their lives through their purchasing habits. Having accomplished this significant task of cultural muckraking, Wigg Stevenson successfully shows that American evangelicals have shaped their message to fit into this culture of consumption, making Jesus a commodity and rendering true discipleship next to impossible.

The book’s chief strength is its thoroughgoing Biblicism. Structured by Romans chapters 1, 2 and 12, the book manages to offer a message drawn from the scriptures without being hijacked by either the right or the left.

Because the offering of a “quick fix” solution to the church’s problems would be nothing but pandering to the same sense of consumerism that he laments, Wigg Stevenson does not conclude the book with a “12 step” plan that can restore the evangelical church to its apostolic state. He does, however, cast a vision of a church that, while having to compete in the early 21st century marketplace of meaning, refuses to offer Jesus as a commodity. Instead, the vision cast in this book is one in which confused seekers come to the church seeking a commodity, but are offered not a product but an invitation to Christian discipleship.

Anyone looking to better understand the relationship between evangelicalism and American consumer culture should carefully read and digest this book. Its message could not be more timely.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Get it!!!

]]> By: David http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67879 David Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:28:54 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67879 "Where were you, in your spiritual life, when you first read the Cruciform Church?" “Where were you, in your spiritual life, when you first read the Cruciform Church?”

]]> By: preacherman http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67801 preacherman Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:30:28 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67801 I encourage everyone to read Justin's review. It is great! I encourage everyone to read Justin’s review. It is great!

]]> By: preacherman http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67800 preacherman Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:29:02 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67800 Mike your post makes me want to go and re-read the Cruciform Church all over again. The first time I read it I thought it was an incredible read. I know that the second time is going to be even better. Thanks for the is post. I haven't seen Jesus Camp and I don't know if I want to see it. Most of the documentaries that portary Christians a certain way, exploit Christians or abuse Christianity make me sick so, I don't think. I will be seeing it. After reading Reading Justin's blog I am well away of the one sided media view and attempt to continue to make Christians look Stupid. Mike your post makes me want to go and re-read the Cruciform Church all over again. The first time I read it I thought it was an incredible read. I know that the second time is going to be even better. Thanks for the is post. I haven’t seen Jesus Camp and I don’t know if I want to see it.

Most of the documentaries that portary Christians a certain way, exploit Christians or abuse Christianity make me sick so, I don’t think. I will be seeing it. After reading Reading Justin’s blog I am well away of the one sided media view and attempt to continue to make Christians look Stupid.

]]> By: preacherman http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67799 preacherman Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:28:21 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67799 Mike your post makes me want to go and re-read the Cruciform Church all over again. The first time I read it I thought it was an incredible read. I know that the second time is going to be even better. Thanks for the is post. I haven't seen Jesus Camp and I don't know if I want to see it. Most of the documentaries that portary Christians a certain way, exploit Christians or abuse Christianity make me sick so, I don't think. I will be seeing it. After reading Reading Justin's blog I am well away of the one sided media view and attempt to continue to make Christians look Stupid. Mike your post makes me want to go and re-read the Cruciform Church all over again. The first time I read it I thought it was an incredible read. I know that the second time is going to be even better. Thanks for the is post. I haven’t seen Jesus Camp and I don’t know if I want to see it. Most of the documentaries that portary Christians a certain way, exploit Christians or abuse Christianity make me sick so, I don’t think. I will be seeing it. After reading Reading Justin’s blog I am well away of the one sided media view and attempt to continue to make Christians look Stupid.

]]> By: chris http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67798 chris Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:23:02 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67798 My sentiments exactly, Troy. My sentiments exactly, Troy.

]]> By: Kathy http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67797 Kathy Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:22:23 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67797 qb! LOL Believe me, we can see those magnificent mountains and the team they shelter from most eyes. We can feel their cold breath on our necks! But last night certainly gave a hint of how the Padres SHOULD end up. Now the challenge is, WILL they?????? If the Padres are not to go on into post season, I'd be more than happy to see the Rockies be the team from the West Coast league....if not the Padres then anyone but the Dodgers or D'backs, please, please, please!! :) qb! LOL

Believe me, we can see those magnificent mountains and the team they shelter from most eyes. We can feel their cold breath on our necks! But last night certainly gave a hint of how the Padres SHOULD end up. Now the challenge is, WILL they??????

If the Padres are not to go on into post season, I’d be more than happy to see the Rockies be the team from the West Coast league….if not the Padres then anyone but the Dodgers or D’backs, please, please, please!! :)

]]> By: Steven http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67795 Steven Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:12:38 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67795 Mike, it was good to see you on the airplane Friday morning from Abilene to DFW. Sorry for the sad occasion. However, seeing you reminded me again of my formative time in the Highland family and reminded me about your blog. Thanks for the insightful reflections. Leonard Allen's book has also blessed me in my young spiritual wanderings. It is saints like Leonard who have helped me stay committed to my heritage. Kudos to him...and to you...and most of all to Jesus Christ. I pray that our new campus ministry here in South Carolina will focus on Jesus and be shaped in his image, even when it is so tempting to emphasize programs and gimmicks. Mike, it was good to see you on the airplane Friday morning from Abilene to DFW. Sorry for the sad occasion. However, seeing you reminded me again of my formative time in the Highland family and reminded me about your blog. Thanks for the insightful reflections.

Leonard Allen’s book has also blessed me in my young spiritual wanderings. It is saints like Leonard who have helped me stay committed to my heritage. Kudos to him…and to you…and most of all to Jesus Christ. I pray that our new campus ministry here in South Carolina will focus on Jesus and be shaped in his image, even when it is so tempting to emphasize programs and gimmicks.

]]> By: Troy http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67793 Troy Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:47:35 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67793 Good point Beverly. Although, I'm not sure it is the fault of the organized church. I think a lot of the blame rest with the inexhaustible quest for pseudo intellectual superiority that those especially close to our Christian universities have. The more removed from these three or four universities you get, the more real church gets. Maybe that's why the Lords' church is booming in Africa. I would like to see just one critical comment about a book other than the Bible. Good point Beverly. Although, I’m not sure it is the fault of the organized church. I think a lot of the blame rest with the inexhaustible quest for pseudo intellectual superiority that those especially close to our Christian universities have. The more removed from these three or four universities you get, the more real church gets. Maybe that’s why the Lords’ church is booming in Africa.

I would like to see just one critical comment about a book other than the Bible.

]]> By: qb http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67791 qb Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:47:13 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67791 qb's just wondering why nobody's paying much attention to the Colorado Rockies' amazing last push toward the NL wild card. Maybe it's because certain frequent posters are Padres fans? Better not slip up... qb qb’s just wondering why nobody’s paying much attention to the Colorado Rockies’ amazing last push toward the NL wild card. Maybe it’s because certain frequent posters are Padres fans? Better not slip up…

qb

]]> By: Style » The Cruciform Church http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67784 Style » The Cruciform Church Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:38:29 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67784 [...] primperfect wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe cross of Jesus is the claiming of a new creation; it is the reconciling of all things to God; and it is the Jesus-style of living, the laying down of one’s life for the world. In his original preface, Leonard said that some … [...] [...] primperfect wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe cross of Jesus is the claiming of a new creation; it is the reconciling of all things to God; and it is the Jesus-style of living, the laying down of one’s life for the world. In his original preface, Leonard said that some … [...]

]]> By: Kimberly http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67783 Kimberly Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:31:13 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67783 Yep, I've seen "Jesus Camp." It's pretty interesting...especially for those of us who are interested in human behavior and the power of influence over others. Yep, I’ve seen “Jesus Camp.” It’s pretty interesting…especially for those of us who are interested in human behavior and the power of influence over others.

]]> By: Rex http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67780 Rex Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:48:54 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67780 Never read this book... Heard a lot of great things about it and it's author. I'll buy and read the revised version. Never read this book… Heard a lot of great things about it and it’s author. I’ll buy and read the revised version.

]]> By: beverly http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67779 beverly Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:24:12 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67779 im not trying to sound like a smart alec here as i know black words on a white background can sometimes take a life of their own...I was just wondering...Who decides who is "on course" and who is "off course?" I am just getting a bit disillusioned by the organized church..do you ever find yourself in a time in your life where you just want to say why doesn't everyone just be quiet and find their identity in Jesus and go visit the sick and the ones in prison and feed the homeless and honor Him...please know that I don't mean all this in a mean way I'm just wondering.. im not trying to sound like a smart alec here as i know black words on a white background can sometimes take a life of their own…I was just wondering…Who decides who is “on course” and who is “off course?”
I am just getting a bit disillusioned by the organized church..do you ever find yourself in a time in your life where you just want to say why doesn’t everyone just be quiet and find their identity in Jesus and go visit the sick and the ones in prison and feed the homeless and honor Him…please know that I don’t mean all this in a mean way I’m just wondering..

]]> By: Keith Brenton http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67778 Keith Brenton Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:38:06 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/25/the-cruciform-church#comment-67778 Tracy, like me I'll bet, saw the second incidence of "since" in that last paragraph and responded. Or is it second incidense? Tracy, like me I’ll bet, saw the second incidence of “since” in that last paragraph and responded.

Or is it second incidense?

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