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Het Jezusmanifest: Terug Naar Het Hart Van Het Christendom (2010)

by Leonard Sweet(Favorite Author)

4.12 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

9063536151 (ISBN13: 9789063536152)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Uitgeverij Jongbloed

review 1: Christianity seems at this time more than most to be going through something of an identity crisis within the United States. Institutional mainline denominations have been decreasing in membership while the demographics of them are waxing older. Evangelical churches have been closing on a large scale and consolidating into larger "mega-churches" that appear to have a greater presence and role in many communities. However, when pollsters, such as George Barna, examine the responses from members of these larger more "relevant" churches the findings are that there actually isn't much difference in the lifestyles and value systems inside those churches than there is outside.So what is happening? What is at the core of many of these trends?Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola believe ... morethey have some insight into what is taking place. So these two friends coming as they do from different contexts (Leonard is closely associated with the Emergent Church movement and Frank is a strong influence in the Organic Church movement) unite to present their joint conviction that it is Jesus who is the core of Christianity and it is the core that must be re-established.The Jesus Manifesto as a book, is an extension of a document prepared by Sweet and Viola and dissseminated through their blogs and social network connections. The brief document (brief realtive to the book) provides an outline of the issues that are fleshed out here.It's hard to imagine this book being controversial in the sense that anyone would take issue as Christians that Christ needs to be central to everything we are and do. Yet, for some, surprisingly it has been controversial. Some attempt through the use of guilt by association tactics to write off what Sweet and Viola have to say. Not surprisingly, many of these types of comments come from sectors within Christianity that take exception with both organic and emergent elements. Neither of these elements however is strongly present in this book. In fact the authors appear to deliberately avoid those elements, to keep their focus in the book upon Christ as well. Often these types of criticisms come in the context of those who haven't read the book and further are suggesting others not read it, lest anyone become "contaminated" by association with such "radical" proponents. Perhaps those making such claims are best seen as good examples of how Christianity as a movement has moved to elevating other elements and agendas over a primary focus upon Christ that cuts across everything else. At the very least, it's best not to accept generalizations from those who haven't bothered to read the book.The tone of this book is primarily devotional and meditational. Yes there are elements of theology present but there appears to be an almost deliberate sense of restraint to avoid this book becoming a Christology in a theological sense. No, what is present here are plenty of anecdotal illustrations of a tradition of Christ-centeredness that can be traced throughout Christian history and in many cases from sources or traditions that the authors might not necessarily endorse. True to their own premise they focus upon Christ and in turn focus upon the Christ-centeredness of many who have grapsed that all the "isms" and "ologies" are secondary to the person of Christ Himself.Every Chapter stands upon its own and can be read out of sequence as desired. The illustrations and anecdotes employed are relavent and to the point.I found this book challenging and inspirational on a personal level that went beyond theological analysis and deep into the personal, emotional engagement of a personal relationship with Christ. Regardless of the direction one starts or emphasizes in one's own culture, traditions and convictions on important issues, surely there's room for this declaration of Christ centeredness.5 starsbart breen
review 2: This was first posted on my blog, Jacob's Café.Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola's The Jesus Manifesto looked rather interesting when I got a review copy of the audiobook from christianaudio. I've heard many good things about Sweet and Viola, so I was excited to listen to this book.For a text that is based in so much passion, I once again was disappointed by the fact that neither of the authors read their text. So much is missed when the author does not read their own text.I think that would have made a big difference here. Much of the passion was lost. In fact, a lot of the book seemed overstated. Although God can never truly be overstated, the use of metaphor and hyperbolic adjectives was just too extreme. The point was lost.While I agree with the intended worshipful comments, I got bored with the book.Also, the basic premise that the church has Jesus Deficit Disorder (a lack of focus on Christ) is just not one I really buy. I agree that many churches and people definitely suffer from this, the communities of which I have been a part have focused a lot on Christ.The "Jesus Deficit Disorder" is just one example of a metaphor or phrase that appears clever at first, but just comes across as cheesy when paired with so many other such phrases. It gets old.It's not a bad book. If you want a book that is a devoted worhsip of Jesus, Jesus Manifesto does it well. You can even sign a Jesus Manifesto. These are good things. The audiobook just didn't really move me at all... less

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