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The Next Christians

I have to be totally upfront and honest about this. When I went to Waterbrook/Multnomah's blogging for books site in order to select a book, I did not want to select this book. There was a choice between this book, The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons, or some novel that had Lifetime movie written all over it.

I selected this book anyways because I figured it would be interesting enough. Then I could select another book that I actually wanted. (As it turns out, it was a glitch in their website on the very day I was selecting my next book. I guess I should exercise more patience.)

Now you know that Waterbrook/Multnomah does not make me say anything positive about the book. However...

I absolutely loved this book. This might get filed under I-can't-believe-I-ever-didn't-want-to-read-this-book. (I know, I have a very lengthy filing system that needs to be worked on.)

Gabe Lyons has done an outstanding job with this book. A few years ago he co-authored Unchristian, which I also read. Let's just say it was good, but could be seen as a bit hard and long to get through. The Next Christians uses that as a foundation but goes so much further.

It is, at the same time, an honest reflection on what is wrong with the Church and an optimistic view on what we could become. Even as I write that, I realize that is a bit understating the facts.

Gabe takes six different topics and details how the next Christians are interested in doing what the Church should always be about. And never fear, the next Christians does not simply refer to those in the youngest generation. Oh no, this is a mind-set. It is a set of values that many of us would say we have, but all of us need to embrace.

What he does is simply genius because he does not ask anybody to change what they believe. He offers how we should take those beliefs and apply them differently in the world around us. Just take some of the chapter titles for example; Provoked, not Offended / Creators, not Critics / Grounded, not Distracted / Countercultural, not Relevant.

All of it is based on this idea of restoration, best summed up in this quote;

God's story is made up of four key parts: creation, fall, redemption, restoration (and ultimately consumation). The truncated Gopel that is often recounted is faithful to the fall and redemption pieces of the story, but largely ignores the creation and restoration components. These missing elements are at the heart of what a new generation of Christians are relearning, and subsequently, retelling.
(The Next Christians, page 51)

This is great read and a must apply.

You can pick up a copy from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing.
You can see more of what Gabe does at www.qideas.org
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Comments

Jim Folsom said…
What a crazy coincidence! I was just listening to a webcast interview with Gabe Lyons about this book when I stumbled upon your post! http://www.qideas.org/webcast/ Looks like this book is making some serious ripples right now.
March 2, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Rick Nier said…
I watched that same webcast. The book is full of great stuff.
March 2, 2011 at 4:27 PM
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