I just finished reading our next book, called The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Shane is the founder and one of the partners of The Simple Way, a faith community in Philadelphia. This community is based on simplicity, non-violence, spirituality, relationships, jobs, the kingdom of God, togetherness, healing, accountability, local assembly, structure, the arts, projects, growth, balance, play, rest, justice, hope, and beauty.
The book is all about ordinary people living in a radical way. He talks a lot about helping the poor in any way they need, voluntary poverty, and eliminating all war and violence. I found the whole book really confusing. He seems to think that every person should sell everything and give money to the poor but also support ministries like his. If every person were poor, how would anyone give money? While it seems like a great concept, the more you think about it, the more it doesn't make sense.
He wrote a lot about different protests he took part in. When Philadelphia wouldn't let the homeless eat or sleep in a particular park anymore, a group of he and his friends went and ate and slept there. What happened to the part of the Bible that says that God has placed every authority in our lives for a reason and we should respect them? You can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible you want to follow. He put such an emphasis on leaving everything behind, but then doesn't obey the law. While he is right in thinking that the American church doesn't help the poor enough, he takes it to a bit of an extreme. He says that if we throw away food and a child dies of starvation, we are guilty of murder of that child. This just seems ridiculous to me.
So while he had a few good points throughout the book, most of it was just way too extreme. What I do like about it is that it makes you think while you read it, but is still an easy read. I think what he is doing to help the poor and needy is great, but he cannot expect everyone to live the way he does.

1 Comment

1. Anna on May 24, 2010 at 9:59 PM

   I kind of love reading books like that. Just so you can be like "nope! nope! nope! you're wrong!" That's so totally not-humble of me, but it's true.