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How Jesus Saves the World (From Us): A Review

How Jesus Saves the World (From Us): A Review

Last updated on: May 11, 2016 at 11:41 am by Erin Wathen

How Jesus Saves the World (From Us): A Review 2016-05-11T11:41:42-07:00 Erin Wathen

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Some political consultants on NPR this morning–one Democrat, one Republican–were talking about the current election cycle. Given that it was NPR, it was not the level of anxiety and venom that we usually hear in political discourse these days. I’ve long suspected that NPR’s real listener loyalty comes, not from the quality of news and programming, but from that soothing, monotonous drone of their commentary. If you’re in heavy traffic, having a crazy day, or just tired of clicking through miles of shouting preachers and Rush Limbaugh… Flipping over to public radio is like taking a Xanax and washing it down with a beer. Ahhhhh. Self-medicators, unite!

Anyway. So yes, they were arguing about politics, but “arguing” is relative over there. There were also many points of agreement. Like the fact that neither party is thrilled with their presumptive nominee, and that surely, we can do better. But mostly, what I heard was this: these guys from two different sides of the aisle were united in this one truth: the next 6 months are going to be toxic. That’s the word they used for it, toxic. The process, the dialogue, potentially even the outcome–pure wasteland sludge.

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This is not surprising news, but it still gave me pause to hear it spoken aloud. Toxic. As in poisonous, harmful, a threat to life in all its forms. And they were talking like it’s going to get WORSE. Isn’t it already pretty awful?

It got me thinking about how the faith community can protect itself from getting swept up in that toxic sludge. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be fully present in the world; to show up where we live each day, to be part of the neighborhood, and to speak to the world’s greatest need. But it’s so easy for the Church itself to become an extension of the world’s anxiety… even to feed into it, and become one of its primary mouthpieces.

Which brings me to…this book: “How Jesus Saves the World From Us: 12 Antidotes to Toxic Christianity.”

To say that this book is timely is an understatement. This book speaks to the faith community–in engaging, straightforward ways–exactly where we find ourselves at this moment in history.

My fellow Patheos blogger Morgan Guyton explores 12 facets of “toxic” Christianity–the skewed understandings of salvation that do more harm than good in the world. Beyond just positing a critique of popular Christian culture, he offers 12 “antidotes” to counter the destructive system. The chapters explore some expected binaries like “Mercy, Not Sacrifice” and “Worship, Not Performance.” But it also holds up some fresh contrasts, like “Solidarity, Not Sanctimony,” and–my favorite–“Poetry, Not Math.” (This is discipleship for English Majors! Finally! Kind of like the Gospel of John…)

I like this book because it is going to piss off all the right people. If you like pissing off the same people that I do, then you will probably like this book, too. I’d recommend it for personal growth kinds of reading; but also for exploring and discussing in community. Because if the next 6 months (or longer) is going to be as “toxic” as we think it is…then there has never been a more important time for God’s people to offer, not just critique, but a better alternative. This book can get your folks talking about that “other way” in real, empowering and tangible terms.

Wouldn’t it be great if NPR was not the only respite from the sludge?

Meanwhile, I hope this book, by way of its United Methodist author, will make its way into the discussion at the UMC General Conference this week. As they explore the place of LGBT people in the life of the church, their leaders should hear the challenge echoed in these pages; and use the 12 “antidotes” as a road map for progress.

Don’t get me wrong… My inclusive, affirming congregation would LOVE to keep welcoming the fed-up local Methodists that are jumping ship and bringing their gifts over the Disciples of Christ. Seriously, other churches begin stuck in the dark ages is super for our growth trends. But in the interest of progress, and the Oneness of the Body of Christ, I am hopeful that there will be a vote for love today. Which is good for everyone.

As is this book. Check it out. Peace and love out there, to all y’all at the #UMCGC

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