Books I've read recently - Justice in the Burbs.
The more I read, think, meditate, and pray the more and more I keep coming back to this idea that the Christian life HAS to be about more than church socials and week long mission trips. Jesus talked so much about feeding the poor and we do so little of it. We'll serve food at Thanksgiving or something and be done with it for the year. Because that is what the Bible meant. This isn't just a New Testament concept; do a biblegateway search for 'poor'. Throughout the entire Bible people are told to take care of the poor. According the the Law Hebrews were not allowed to do a good of a job harvesting but they were supposed to leave the stuff they missed so that the poor could have it.(1) To sacrifice their bottom line for the poor. When I saw this book I had to pick it up. Its trendy but this idea of 'social justice' rings true to me. It seems to fit with the Bible. It seems that a focus on it would fix a lot of the problems I have with the church. I figured I could at least give it a shot.
Each chapter in the book is divided into three sections: a fictional narrative, a practical discussion, and a devotion written by a different guest author each chapter. Will and Lisa Samson, the authors, alternate with Lisa writing the fiction and Will leading the discussion/application of the fiction. A couple, named Matt and Christine, are at the center of the narrative. They start out as a normal couple going out on a date and sort of stumble into this whole idea by accident. They see the same beggar they normally see;. an old man asking for money for a shelter for the impoverished. Their very first step is to give up their date money and settle for fast food. This starts a chain reaction as the couple begin to be drawn towards a lifestyle lived not for themselves but for others. Overall the book does a great job of showing specific examples of how somebody might (and why they should) live justly. The fiction is simple but interesting. Its obviously written to convey a point/provoke thought and it does just that. The discussion of the fiction is useful as well. Breaking down just how one might apply this and/or why the idea is Biblical. The book also focuses on the opposition and hardships that will occur when trying to live justly. There will come a point when you have to choose between stuff and living the right life. You will have to cut stuff out of your schedule. People will oppose you. People in the church and in your family will think you are crazy/liberal/misguided. Christine, the wife in the story, is constantly at odds with her mother over this issue. Ultimately she has to choose between following God and listening to her mother. One of the best qualities of this book is its ability to inspire someone to action without leaving out the negative side effects. It would be easy to simply state "we should feed the poor, clothe the naked, etc" and convince readers to do this in their own lives. The Samson's do not leave the reader with a passion for the poor and no awareness of the trials to come. They are very specific that "this will not be easy" but that cannot stop Christians from following Christ. One of the highlights of the book for me is the discussion of the lack of short term gratification that comes when doing this work. Our reason for working can never be to receive gratitude or to feel good about ourselves because for the most part these things won't happen. This happens at the end of the book and left me oddly looking forward to trying to live justly despite the melancholy nature of such service. This book makes no attempt to describe "benefits" of living justly. It makes clear the fact that to live justly will not be rewarding financially, emotionally, or in any selfish way. It will benefit your right standing with God. It will be a step towards being the person God wants you to be. Personal gain is not involved in their rationale and that is perhaps the strongest point made in the entire book. No punches are pulled. They offer the same invitation Jesus did. Follow Christ. Not because its easy; its the hardest way to live. Not for gain; it involves losing everything, even your very life. We must follow Christ at all costs. This is an aspect of following Christ we've been overlooking for far too long.
Read this book. It calls Christians to a life lived not for themselves but for others. Just like Jesus did. Check it out...
(1) Leviticus 19:9-10, (NIV).
Each chapter in the book is divided into three sections: a fictional narrative, a practical discussion, and a devotion written by a different guest author each chapter. Will and Lisa Samson, the authors, alternate with Lisa writing the fiction and Will leading the discussion/application of the fiction. A couple, named Matt and Christine, are at the center of the narrative. They start out as a normal couple going out on a date and sort of stumble into this whole idea by accident. They see the same beggar they normally see;. an old man asking for money for a shelter for the impoverished. Their very first step is to give up their date money and settle for fast food. This starts a chain reaction as the couple begin to be drawn towards a lifestyle lived not for themselves but for others. Overall the book does a great job of showing specific examples of how somebody might (and why they should) live justly. The fiction is simple but interesting. Its obviously written to convey a point/provoke thought and it does just that. The discussion of the fiction is useful as well. Breaking down just how one might apply this and/or why the idea is Biblical. The book also focuses on the opposition and hardships that will occur when trying to live justly. There will come a point when you have to choose between stuff and living the right life. You will have to cut stuff out of your schedule. People will oppose you. People in the church and in your family will think you are crazy/liberal/misguided. Christine, the wife in the story, is constantly at odds with her mother over this issue. Ultimately she has to choose between following God and listening to her mother. One of the best qualities of this book is its ability to inspire someone to action without leaving out the negative side effects. It would be easy to simply state "we should feed the poor, clothe the naked, etc" and convince readers to do this in their own lives. The Samson's do not leave the reader with a passion for the poor and no awareness of the trials to come. They are very specific that "this will not be easy" but that cannot stop Christians from following Christ. One of the highlights of the book for me is the discussion of the lack of short term gratification that comes when doing this work. Our reason for working can never be to receive gratitude or to feel good about ourselves because for the most part these things won't happen. This happens at the end of the book and left me oddly looking forward to trying to live justly despite the melancholy nature of such service. This book makes no attempt to describe "benefits" of living justly. It makes clear the fact that to live justly will not be rewarding financially, emotionally, or in any selfish way. It will benefit your right standing with God. It will be a step towards being the person God wants you to be. Personal gain is not involved in their rationale and that is perhaps the strongest point made in the entire book. No punches are pulled. They offer the same invitation Jesus did. Follow Christ. Not because its easy; its the hardest way to live. Not for gain; it involves losing everything, even your very life. We must follow Christ at all costs. This is an aspect of following Christ we've been overlooking for far too long.
Read this book. It calls Christians to a life lived not for themselves but for others. Just like Jesus did. Check it out...
