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Alright, let's have some context, shall we? I've just finished reading The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne. Is a wonderful book on the Jesus movement, a reevaluation of the church today, and the movement to return to the ways of the early disciples. Claiborne's book emphasizes the ideals of community, sacrificial love, peace, and reconciliation. He writes the book, not only as a sharing of his ideals, but as story of his life and how those ideals are actualized. Claiborne writes in a narrative format, using many stories to demonstrate his point. His language is an odd mixture of street slang and theological jargon. Although I don't agree with every statement he makes, I admire that he qualifies the statements with references to well respected theologians, world leaders, and scripture.
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This book is similar in many ways to Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith. Bell's book also emphasizes the need for change in the church. Specifically he focuses on this change happening through community. Velvet Elvis also explores the concept of community; what is it, how does it look now, why is it important. Although the two book are closely related in theme, they differ on how they delve into the subject. Bell focuses more on concepts and explanation of what the scriptures say about them. His writing style is more lyrical, employing repetition, syntax, and creative organization to relate to a broad audience. Claiborne focuses more on the concepts in practice, while also incorporating scripture. He writes in prose. To capture readers' interest he breaks up the walls of prose with section titles that evoke reaction. Some examples of this include: "City of brotherly shove", "Holy Mischief", "When grass pierces concrete", and "Jesus wrecked my life". These authors challenge readers to think critically, and live authentically.
"Test it. Probe it.
Do that to this book.
Don't swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it."-Velvet Elvis
"This book will comfort the disturbed, disturb the comfortable, and invite believers to change the world with Christ's radical love." - The Irresistible Revolution
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