Book Review: ReWilding the Way: Break Free to Follow an Untamed God by Todd Wynward

A tamed world in desperate need of being untamed. This one sentence gets to the heart of the argument Wynward makes in this book. He argues, rightly so, that the way of Jesus has become far too much like the way of culture. That the path Jesus calls us on no longer looks like the counter-cultural trek through the wilderness it was created to be, but rather more like the billboard plastered interstate highways of today. It is an argument that other scholars and authors have made, that Christianity has been diluted down into some form of synthetic uber-AmeriChristianity, but none that I have read employ the skillful language and imagery Wynward uses in Re-wilding the way. Latching on to biology and the science of physical “re-wilding” he lays out a superb case that just a modern science has taught us if we don’t take better care of our planet it will no longer be able to take care of us, if we don’t take care of faith and return it to its roots, it too is danger of dying.

I would recommend this book to any Pastor or lay leader who is serious about reclaiming Christ’s vision for His disciples and is looking for some inspiration in how to start in that direction as well as anyone who looks at modern Christianity and thinks “there isn’t a problem”. If you find yourselves in either of those categories, read the book. It will either inspire you or challenge you, and just maybe, a bit of both.

You can find the book on Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

You can learn more about the author here.

JP Harris

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

Blue Like Jazz - The Truth

I was quite happy to see Blue Like Jazz the Movie finally getting some attention in MSM over the weekend. I just hope it didn't come too late. At least every couple of days since I saw the movie in a preview screening, I have unashamedly posted links to buy tickets on various social networking sites, in addition to talking it up in conversation. I was happy to read this morning that the movie has enjoyed success in multiple markets, while disappointed that it was struggling in others. Here's hoping for continued success for the film.

But why do I believe in it so much? Why, as a Pastor and person of faith, promote so heavily a film which has brought with it a pretty heated discussion on whether it is truthful or blasphemous? Why not just stick my head in the sand and ignore it, or better yet, stay in line with other "evangelical" leaders and speak out against it, as opposed to promoting it?

Because, from my perspective, it is truth, rather than blasphemous. Why?, you ask.

Christian circles have for far too long have failed to present reality. We have largely lived in a bubble where we have convinced ourselves everything is OK, and if we just keep doing what we've been doing, everything will turn out fine.

Oh, how wrong we have been. Our insistence on "happy Jesus faces" and shallow faith has led to shrinking churches and distaste for Christianity rather than success. It has led to many young people, who upon leaving the confines of their Christian "bubble" encountering a crisis of faith which for many has been irreconcilable.

Blue Like Jazz speaks to the heart of this very problem. The movie, based on Don Miller's wildly popular book of the same name, features the lead character, Don, raised a conservative Southern Baptist, heading off to school at Reed College, known as the most godless campus in America. The transformation and spiritual wrestling match which ensues is gripping, provocative and truthful. When put into places where our faith is challenged and not the norm, we are forced to be awakened to the reality that our beliefs are not shared by the entire world and that they may just not be as concrete as we thought they were.

And that is a good thing. If the church, if the Christian faith, if Jesus, is to be reclaimed as relevant to life, then we have to be willing to pop the bubble, deal with our pain, questions, and live our lives in a way that matters. Otherwise, faith will continue to die and the potential life changing impact of Christianity will continue to grow weaker by the day.

So, go see Blue Like Jazz, pop your bubble, and live a life that matters.

For tickets, go to www.bluelikejazztickets.com