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 Rated 5-stars by The Spiritual Reviewer August 26, 2008
"Christianity," says author Shane Claiborne, "often has offered little to the world, other than the hope that things will be better in heaven." This statement appears on the first page of the book, and it's a big clue that Shane isn't spinning a newer, fresher version of the same old predictable Christian party line that everyone else repeats. In fact, the whole purpose of The Irresistible Revolution is to present a radical idea of what it means to be a Christian. Even more importantly, it's about how one man, without aggrandizing himself, chose to do something daring, heroic and good with his life. Instead of buying into the prescribed formula for Christian living, Shane challenges us to break free of the empty roles and rituals "the living dead" pledge allegiance to, and take the path of Love. He talks about how he was "suffocated by Christianity, but thirsty for God."
Say good-bye to Jesus message t-shirts, big expensive churches, and tele-evangelical pleas for followers and cash. Say hello to a man who speaks in love, acts in love, serves humanity in love. This book is a collection of Shane's autobiographical stories about his transformation from a cookie-cutter evangelical youth to a disciple who thinks outside the box and who isn't afraid to shine his light for the world. We are fortunate to be on the planet at the same time with one so aware and one so willing to walk the talk. If you only read one book this year, make it Irresistible Revolution, and allow the passion from Shane's mega big heart to move you to loving action.
Message of Love:
"People always want to define you by what you do. I started saying "I'm not too concerned with what I'm going to do. I am more interested in who I am becoming. I want to be a lover of God and people."
What does it mean to love and how is love of God demonstrated? This is the fundamental question Shane explores and answers. Is it by passing out God-flyers on street corners, or is it by passing out bread to the homeless and poor and then teaching them how to make bread for themselves? In January 1997 Shane and five other like-minded cohorts moved into a little row house in Kensington, a poor neighborhood in Philadelphia, and formed The Simple Way. The Simple way is not just about managing poverty, but completely ending it.
"There are plenty of liberals who talk about poverty and injustice but rarely encounter the poor, living detached lives of socially responsible but comfortable consumption." To eradicate poverty it's essential to redefine the meaning of family and to become radically inclusive. There should be no difference between your relationship to someone who's connected to you by marriage, blood, religion or nationality and to someone who lives in the street or another country. Violence and disregard is born out of a narrow, rigid belief about family. Shane asks us to consider "what happens when people fall in love with each other across class lines?" There is nothing worth killing for, but there's something worth dying for -- and that is the love in our hearts that we have for each other.
Did you know that each day 35,000 children in the world starve to death? It's like a 911 event every single day or a tsunami that never ends. Poverty is not created by God. It's created by you and me because we don't see our brothers and sisters as ourselves. What's needed are concrete acts of love. No one can see God, but we can see each other, and God can live in and through us. Shane recommends "instead of waiting for God's special plan for your life, go find where God is doing work, and join in."
Amazing book, amazing author August 20, 2008
This guy understands what Jesus would REALLY do. This book is easy to read and hard to put down. It appeals to my idealistic side. I recommend it for Christians and people considering Christianity.
"Infectious" reading for ordinary folks August 11, 2008
Definitely worth reading. Will be a 'tough' read for most of us as it lays out what being a true christian is and most of us aren't even close to living it out as it's spelled out here..and I tend to agree with this 'brothas overarching view. However, it does offer a glimpse of hope...even if we all have to take little steps everyday to achieve it and some of the stories he tells are truly uplifting. True there's not much in the way of "middle ground" offered or a step by step guide as pointied out by several reviewers...but that's not the point...Jesus didn't give 49% or 90% effort. It WAS all or nothing. I think what needs to be expanded on is ok, for some, all or nothing might be difficult for most of us, b/c we're already born in and entrenched in the capital economy...we didn't really choose it, we're here now...where can indivuals (with debt, child support, existing health issues, etc) begin. I think if Shane extends more on the "little things" that can lead us as individuals to becoming a true Christian...it would make it more inviting and at least more understanding for some of those on this list of reviewers. Shane, don't stop what you're doing. It is inspiring and yes infectious.
Irresistable Revolution August 3, 2008
This is the type of that can change the way you see your life. The author tries to show us who the the real Jesus was and what it means to follow him. This is the best book I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it.
 some good points but... July 28, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
it comes across at times very arrogant and very judgmental. I am in no way a rich and even less so a powerful person but I do have a very huge problem with those who condemn and judge those who are en masse. Jesus himself had his share of well to do friends. He just didn't come for the poor, he came for all. That UNIVERSAL message seems to be really missing from so many of these like minded books.
Also I realize the author is very young, hopefully in time, he'll learn the importance of humility.
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