23 May 2008
"Making the Best of it: Following Christ in the Real World" Book Review
Posted by Mick under Book Reviews
A Book Review by Michael Kruse
Who are we for Christ today? This is the central question for John Stackhouse’s new book Making the Best of it: Following Christ in the Real World. And let me say from the outset that this is one of the most important books I’ve ever read on Christian ethics.
Stackhouse explains that:
The book can almost be divided into two books. Chapters 2, 3, and 4, are reviews of how C. S. Lewis, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer each struggled to relate Christ and culture in their work and lives. The second part of the book does not build directly on these three vignettes but clearly dives into the issues highlighted by these scholars.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was for me to read this book. I’ve often thought of my “Christ and Culture” perspective as a “radical realist.” This was my way of capturing the tension between doggedly pursing the greatest shalom within the confines of the knowledge that shalom cannot be fully consummated until the new creation. It is this ongoing tension in my life that has led me to such ambivalent relationships with Evangelicalism, mainline Protestantism, and emerging church. It is not often that I read a book that so clearly articulates the nuance and tension I see in living out the Christian life. There is simply too much here for me to summarize in this review.
The book is long and meaty, but well written. It is going on my shelf right next to Miroslav Volf’s (who endorsed this book) Work in the Spirit and Darrel Cosden’s A Theology of Work. (That means the Kruse book hall of fame.) Whether you are a Christian wrestling with culture or a pastor leading a congregation of folks who are, this is a must read!
Read the Entire Review Here
Who are we for Christ today? This is the central question for John Stackhouse’s new book Making the Best of it: Following Christ in the Real World. And let me say from the outset that this is one of the most important books I’ve ever read on Christian ethics.
Stackhouse explains that:
“Christian ethics, then, is not primarily about what to do rightly or wrongly, but fundamentally about what is to be Christian in the world, what is the profession and practice of Christian faith. Being Christian is the world is an identity, a motive, an agenda, and a posture, all of which lead to action.” (4)
The book can almost be divided into two books. Chapters 2, 3, and 4, are reviews of how C. S. Lewis, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer each struggled to relate Christ and culture in their work and lives. The second part of the book does not build directly on these three vignettes but clearly dives into the issues highlighted by these scholars.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was for me to read this book. I’ve often thought of my “Christ and Culture” perspective as a “radical realist.” This was my way of capturing the tension between doggedly pursing the greatest shalom within the confines of the knowledge that shalom cannot be fully consummated until the new creation. It is this ongoing tension in my life that has led me to such ambivalent relationships with Evangelicalism, mainline Protestantism, and emerging church. It is not often that I read a book that so clearly articulates the nuance and tension I see in living out the Christian life. There is simply too much here for me to summarize in this review.
The book is long and meaty, but well written. It is going on my shelf right next to Miroslav Volf’s (who endorsed this book) Work in the Spirit and Darrel Cosden’s A Theology of Work. (That means the Kruse book hall of fame.) Whether you are a Christian wrestling with culture or a pastor leading a congregation of folks who are, this is a must read!
Read the Entire Review Here
23 May 2008 11:21:43
Thanks Mick! Sounds good. Gonna go search to find it today (and hopefully the other two you mentioned as well).
23 May 2008 12:47:52
Rock
I understand the confusion, the review is by Michael Kruse, not me. I am Mickey/Mick.
I agree all three books sound good.
23 May 2008 22:43:03
My pastor did his sabbatical last year with Dr. Stackhouse. He came back truly impressed with the man, and his message. From it, he developed a series of sermons called "The Big Blue Ball," that spoke on missions - i.e., relating Christ to our world today. Good stuff.
ed