Through The River: Understanding Your Assumptions About Truth by Jon & Mindy Hirst

Through The River: Understanding Your Assumptions About Truth by Jon & Mindy Hirst

So there have been some culture wars these past few decades here in the West. Among the many skirmishes, one of the most enduring pitched battles has been over epistemology – as Pontius Pilate famously asked, “What is truth?” Postmodernists like myself tend to draw attention to the contingency, and situated-ness of truth. To call a truth ‘timeless’ seems like an insult to its vitality. Modernists tend to favor truth they can absolutize, a rigid and uncompromising set of morals and values that frame the foundation of existence – to do otherwise feels like slippery relativism. This conversation often ends in a stalemate of inflexible systems wherein each side loses and neither system is closer to grasping truth. Is there a way out of the impasse? Biblica's [1] Through the River, a new book by Jon and Mindy Hirst (with Dr. Paul Hiebert), encourages us to examine our assumptions about truth and how those assumptions affect our relationship to the world at large.  In so doing, the Hirsts offer a new perspective on truth that allows us not only to better understand how we view truth but how we might become better equipped to communicate truth in a combative culture. Their claim is that “our ability to struggle through the concept of truth in today’s world is crucial to determining our success in the Christian life, our relationships and our kingdom work.” Through the River is a challenging and fascinating book told allegorically, taking the reader on a journey through River Town, weaving a memorable tale on how people can live in close proximity while having radically contrasting views. River Town’s three communities live and act so differently because each group is using a distinct set of assumptions about truth (truth lenses). In short, Through the River pulls off a mean feat: It offers a view of truth that seeks to solve the compatibility issues between worldviews and capitalizes on their strengths in such a way that each becomes better without becoming the same. Readers might not all agree with the attempted integration, but you will be the better for having read it. You just might beat your culture war swords into plowshares. Jon and Mindy Hirst are the co-founders of Generous Mind, a think tank designed to help people make their thoughts count. The late Paul G. Hiebert (1932–2007) was Distinguished Professor of Mission and Anthropology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and previously taught at Fuller Theological Seminary. Through the River is Jon and Mindy’s unique approach to Dr. Hiebert’s important and groundbreaking studies in truth. [hide] [2] :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Through the River blog [3] Jon and Mindy Hirst on Twitter: @generousmind [4] Through the River Facebook Fan Page [5]. Through the River Facebook discussion group [6]. Generous Mind Blog [7]. Interview Availability: Jon and Mindy Hirst are available for blog & podcast interviews. You will receive this contact information via email if you select Through the River this month. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about Through the River within 30 days of getting it, and cutting & pasting your post to this one. Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.biblica.com [2] http://viralbloggers.wufoo.com/forms/through-the-river/ [3] http://throughtheriverbook.com [4] http://twitter.com/generousmind [5] http://facebook.com/pages/Through-the-River/97523594915 [6] http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116401856022 [7] http://generousmind.blogspot.com

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Finding An Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole

Finding An Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole

Do you ever discover a gem of a new (or at least, new-to-you) writer and wish all of your friends could read her – particularly your friends who enjoy memoir and narrative nonfiction? This is how I feel about Alicia Britt Chole and her Finding an Unseen God. Truth is dead. God never lived. Life is filled with pain. Death is the end of life. These beliefs formed Chole's outlook as a young woman. "I sincerely believed that there was no God," she says. "As a young Atheist, I simply considered myself a realist who preferred unanswered questions over fairy tales." Then one day, without warning, Alicia's atheistic paradigm was shattered. Finding an Unseen God is written and arranged creatively, nonlinearly in her narrative. If it wasn't such an overused phrase, dare I say her storytelling style is...postmodern? This concise travelling companion opens a window into Alicia's surprising spiritual journey. With warmth, intellect, and compassion, Alicia invites us to carefully consider what we believe and do not believe, while she paints a vivid portrait of a God who relentlessly pursues even those who wrestle with doubt and ambiguity. Here's what Mark Batterson [1] has to say about Finding An Unseen God: "Alicia's heartfelt and thoughtful words penetrate the soul and make you feel and think in new ways." [hide] This Title Has Been Closed for Review :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Finding An Unseen God: The Book Trailer [2] - all nice & YouTube-embeddable Truth Portraits [3] Alicia’s official website Invite your readers to read excerpts [4] from Finding an Unseen God Peace for the Journey [5] - an excellent review of the book Interview Availability: Alecia is available for blog and podcast interviews. You’ll get her email address if you select Finding an Unseen God for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about Finding an Unseen God within 30 days of getting it. Please cut & paste your post underneath this entry. Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.evotional.com/ [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-glSwXzyNgE [3] http://www.truthportraits.com/ [4] http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=0477683E4046471488BD7BAC8DCFB004&nm=&type=PubCom&mod=PubComProductCatalog&mid=BF1316AF9E334B7BA1C33CB61CF48A4E&AudId=205F4A61B07648D98551934CA40DE116&tier=3&id=92433763B99A428EB0B44D44E003AE7E [5] http://peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/finding-unseen-god-by-alicia-chole-book.html

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Christ In Y’all: Following Jesus Into Community

Christ In Y’all: Following Jesus Into Community

by Neil Carter So it’s not every day that someone you’ve lived with and among for years and years writes a book…not a good book, anyway. But my friend (and long-time Atlanta-area house church mate) Neil Carter does both in his new release Christ In Y’all. So house churching has become more and more popular these days, taking its cue from persecution-laden locales like China and India, and springing up in American, British, and Australian soil in the wake of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s. Gathering in homes as ‘simple church’ has become all the more popular since George Barna’s Revolution told us that millions of people were doing it and Frank Viola’s Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church passionately argued why we should be doing it, too. But have you ever wondered what simple church ecclesiology might sound like coming from an ordinary member, a non-specialist, non-church planter? One who’s articulate but not mind-numbingly difficult to read, someone who’s into what they’re doing but not overly polemical about it? If so, you have Christ in Y’all by Neil. First, the title: Followers of Jesus were never meant to live alone. Hearing God speak and following God’s voice is a calling for a “we” rather than a “me.” When the Apostle Paul announces that “Christ in you [is] the hope of glory,” that “you” is plural. In other words – yep – Christ in y’all, the hope of glory. (May English teachers forgive us!) In these pages, Neil attempts to explain how spiritual formation is a collective endeavor. After spending nearly a decade meeting in homes with friends and followers of Jesus, he describes what he sees as key elements to thriving intentional Christian community, as well as surviving the pitfalls of home-based fellowships. Neil gave me this to sum up his book: “Our gospel is too small.  We seem to care only about getting people to heaven, while God intends to make his home here on earth.  How does God do that?  He comes to dwell within the community of believers.  And while it is true that his Spirit indwells each of our hearts individually, God shows up most vividly when we come together with one another. Christ In Y'all tackles these tough questions: •    What did God create us in the first place? •    Why do we suffer, and what does it accomplish? •    How can we hear God speak to us today? •    What single trait best marks a healthy church? •    Why are so many committed believers quitting church lately? •    Must we "do church" the way we've always done it? •    What makes simple, informal gatherings more attractive than large, formal ones?” [hide] Title no longer Available :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: NOTE: This title comes with "Christ In Ya'll" as well. Choosing this bundle also comes with the task of blogging about both titles. Link-love for your review: http://ChristInYall.com [1] is Neil’s main hub http://christinyall.blogspot.com [2] is Neil’s blog Interview Availability: Neil is available for blog and podcast interviews. You’ll get his email address if you select the house church two-pack for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about the house church two-pack within 30 days of getting it. Yes, you can write a single post about both this and Dede: In the Fields of Boaz – though you’re welcome to write two! Please cut & paste your post here: http://viralbloggers.com/2009/04/dede-in-the-fields-of-boaz/ [3] Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://christinyall.com/ [2] http://christinyall.blogspot.com/ [3] http://viralbloggers.com../2009/01/dede-in-the-fields-of-boaz/

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Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture

Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture

by Michael Frost Have you ever seen a photo of Michael Frost? He looks like he can beat you up. That's neither here nor there - unless you're wanting someone in your corner in a Mark Driscoll debate - but this Aussie scholar-practitioner is not your typical armchair pontificator. In his first popular solo writing effort, Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture presents a biblically-rooted paradigm for the church in emergence-people who are not at home either in the traditional church or in the secular world. As exiles of both, they must create their own worldview that integrates their Christian beliefs with the contemporary world. Exiles seeks to integrate all aspects of life and decision-making and to develop the characteristics of a Christian life lived intentionally within emerging (postmodern) culture. It presents a plea for a dynamic, life-affirming, robust Christian faith that can be lived successfully in the post-Christian world of twenty-first century Western society. This book paints a picture of a Christian lifestyle that can be lived in non-religious categories and be attractive to not-yet Christians, not to mention being credible to oneself. Such a worldview takes ecology and politics seriously. It offers a positive response to the workplace, the arts, feminism, mystery and worship. Exiles seeks to develop a framework that will allow Christians to live boldly and courageously in a world that no longer values the culture of the church, but does greatly value many of the things the Bible speaks positively about. This book suggests that there us more to being a follower of Jesus than meets the eye. It explores the secret, unseen nooks and crannies in the life of a Christian and suggests that faith is about more than church attendance and belief in God. And there are photographs - even of Frost himself. http://viralbloggers.com/2009/01/exiles-living-missionally-in-a-post-christian-culture/ [1] [hide] TITLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IMPORTANT: This is a 2 title set!  Please be ready to blog about both. :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: http://www.forge.org.au [2] Forge, an Australian missional think tank/activist cell that Frost heads up http://www.smallboatbigsea.org [3] - a missional church community that Frost is part of http://www.morling.nsw.edu.au/morling_college/about_morling/our_faculty/michael_frost.php [4] His academic bio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77ndCFSv47g [5] - nice YouTube clip (more where that came from) Interview Availability: Michael is available for blog and podcast interviews. You'll get his email address if you select the missional two-pack for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about the missional two-pack within 30 days of getting it. Yes, you can write a single post about both this and The Shaping of Things to Come - though you're welcome to write two! Please copy & paste your post right here, below! Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://viralbloggers.com../../../../../2009/01/exiles-living-missionally-in-a-post-christian-culture/ [2] http://www.forge.org.au/ [3] http://www.smallboatbigsea.org/ [4] http://www.morling.nsw.edu.au/morling_college/about_morling/our_faculty/michael_frost.php [5] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77ndCFSv47g

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