Christ in Crisis?
Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus
-
-
4.8 • 12 Ratings
-
-
- $15.99
Publisher Description
Writing in response to our current “constitutional crisis,” New York Times bestselling author and Christian activist Jim Wallis urges America to return to the tenets of Jesus once again as the means to save us from the polarizing bitterness and anger of our tribal nation.
In Christ in Crisis Jim Wallis provides a path of spiritual healing and solidarity to help us heal the divide separating Americans today. Building on “Reclaiming Jesus”—the declaration he and other church leaders wrote in May 2018 to address America’s current crisis—Wallis argues that Christians have become disconnected from Jesus and need to revisit their spiritual foundations. By pointing to eight questions Jesus asked or is asked, Wallis provides a means to measure whether we are truly aligned with the moral and spiritual foundations of our Christian faith.
“Christians have often remembered, re-discovered, and returned to their obedient discipleship of Jesus Christ—both personal and public—in times of trouble. It’s called coming home,” Wallis reminds us. While he addresses the dividing lines and dangers facing our nation, the religious and cultural commentator’s focus isn’t politics; it’s faith.
As he has done throughout his career, Wallis offers comfort, empathy, and a practical roadmap. Christ in Crisis is a constructive field guide for all those involved in resistance and renewal initiatives in faith communities in the post-2016 political context.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Wallis (God's Politics), founder of the faith-in-action organization Sojourners, explores what it means to follow Jesus in a world in crisis in this stimulating analysis. Wallis asserts that American Christianity is in decline as the result of a distance that exists between Christians and the daily practices of Jesus. In eight questions, he looks at concerns Jesus raised and discusses how the lessons of the gospels apply to the current cultural, social, and political climate. First, he presents "The Neighbor Question," in which he asks what it means to love one's neighbor, particularly those who are different culturally or religiously. In "The Image Question," he explores the implications and responsibilities of being created in God's image, suggesting that churches actively address the sin of racism. "The Truth Question" is a look at American politics, the normalization of lying, and the need for people of faith to speak truth to power. Asserting that a growing spirit of fear will only lead to hatred and violence, he encourages Christians to turn to God and cultivate gratitude in order to combat anxieties, concluding with "The Discipleship Question," where he asks Christians to reflect on Jesus's instruction to help those in need. Welcoming a debate concerning common interpretations of scripture, Wallis's clear espousal of his worries for Christianity is sure to start conversations.
