The Book that is bringing my “Spiritual Mojo” back!
I’ve been a Christian for 36 years and in all of that time I can name 3 or 4 moments where I met a person, attended an event, or, as in this case, read a book that caused a fundamental paradigm shift in my faith and my understanding of the nature of God. Its happened again…and perhaps none too soon.
The book is “Beauty Will Save the World: Rediscovering the allure and mystery of Christianity” by Brian Zahnd. I saw Zahnd interviewed by Drew Summeral on The Harvest Show and I was immediately intrigued. He talked about Christ and his Lordship in a way that resonated with me so, of course, I had to check him out.
The next thing I knew I was downloading the above title onto my Kindle. Now understand, I probably haven’t finished a “Christian” book in almost 10 years (and I’m a voracious reader). With Beauty I found I was upset when I got to work in the morning because it meant I had to stop reading. But then I would subject my staff to a play by play analysis of what God was doing in my heart based on what I had read that day.
To put it bluntly… Beauty is helping to bring back my “spiritual mojo”!
Much of what the book discusses I’ve been nibbling around the edges for years. Zahnd puts words to the direction I felt God leading but was asking, “Does anyone else feel this as well?”
So what’s the book about?
A lot of things really. From the beauty of Christ’s work on the cross to an understanding of the Kingdom of God and what it truly means to be a prophetic person. That God has set up an alternative society and He is calling people to be part of it.
The book ends with an “unpacking” of the Sermon on the Mount which, rather than being the nice platitudes of Jesus that we should keep in mind from time to time, they are royal announcements of the fundamental underpinning of the new order which has come, and is now coming.
I’ll finish by saying that the book mentions that the disciples were executed eventually by Rome not because they were sharing that if people received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they could be saved and go to heaven.
No, the disciples were executed because they were claiming a new King was sitting on the throne and were announcing the establishment of His Kingdom.
Yep, it’s all coming back to me now.
Watch this space!!!!!!
5 comments
Comments are closed.
Related
-
Coast to Coast Hike / Great Britain / Hiking / Steve's Life
Day 10: Richmond to Ingleby Cross
By Steve -
China / Foreign Affairs / G.O.P. / Hong Kong / Obama / Politics / South China Sea dispute / Steve's Life
China News Still Not “Newsworthy” in America
By Steve -
God's Kingdom / Hong Kong / Steve's Life
Born Again…again!
By Steve -
Books / Christianity / God's Kingdom
Book Review: Things Unseen by Mark Buchanan
By Steve -
Americana / Guy Stuff / Hong Kong / Steve's Life
Cocktail Reception On Board the U.S.S. Carl Vinson
By Steve -
Colorado / Steve's Life
Why I Celebrate Passover! (and why you should think about it)
By Steve -
Christianity / Politics / Social Commentary
Render Unto Caesar
By Steve -
China / Christianity / Hong Kong / Steve's Life
Living in Hong Kong: Hong Kong Anniversary!
By Steve -
Christianity / Church Life / Colorado
Why Young Evangelicals are going Liturgical
By Steve -
Great Britain / Hong Kong / Shakespeare / Steve's Life
Seeing Kevin Spacey live as “Richard III” in Hong Kong
By Steve
Sounds terrific! Can’t wait to hear what this is sparking in you.
Thanks Michael…yes, I imagine this will spark some future posts!
Sounds like NT Wright’s work-I’ll have to check it out!
Hi Steve!! As I’ve been deconstructing my faith to allow the Holy Spirit to construct it ;), I’ve shyed away from reading any books in the process… but I’m feeling it’s time to try one, and since you’ve read so much and I love all you share here, would you suggest this book as a good starting point or have you read something since that you’d highly recommend?! Would love and appreciate your thoughts!!!