GroshLink

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." -- Matthew 9:11-13

If you haven't already heard it, listen to WJTL's interview of Jon Acuff, author Stuff Christians Like (Zondervan, 2010).  Thanks to Christian Audio's free month of April posting, I've been listening to the book over the course of the past several weeks.

Some initial thoughts on Stuff Christians Like, more will be coming ;-)

1. Comment on Acuff's promo, "Do you think we Christians are weird? Me too. This book is for you." Yes, followers of Christ are weird and much to be pitied, if Christ has not be raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:12-19).  But, I didn't grow up in and have only touched on the outskirts of the Evangelical subculture at which Acuff directs his satire, as such it probably wasn't as funny/liberating for me as I imagine it may have been for others.  I know it was not Acuff's intention, but it seems to me that it's hard for some of his material to not come across as mocking the faith/practices of some in these traditions.  I'd be interested in thoughts from other readers/listeners. Note:  You can browse the paper copy at http://browseinside.zondervan.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780310319948.
2. Out of the whole book, I resonated most with Chapter 10, which follows Stuff Christians Like's Wednesday practice of turning to "more serious."  In particular, I appreciated the challenge to listen to the concerns of others. ... To ask, "Who is carrying 'all that' with you?"  This is the ultimate question of the Gospel because "everyone has an 'all that' that they're carrying." Yes, many times the answer is "no one," because it's hard to share our burdens (real, deep inner spiritual life) with others. 
3. Acuff challenges himself and the friend/follower of Christ Jesus not just to listen and not just to give a "drive-by Jesus," but to carry our friend's "all that" with them as they come to know our friend Jesus.  Unless one gives up/offers one's burdens, fears, anxieties, sin, and brokenness to God, life is overwhelming on the individual, familial, societal, and cosmic scale. We offer "all that" (and more) to the Son as as we enter relationship with the Father by the gift of the Word, Spirit, and Body of Christ.  This is an act of submission of our whole being and the transformation of our whole being to love God leading to proper love of neighbor, self, and creation. Later in the final chapter, Acuff summarizes the Gospel as "Be sick. Be loved." [That is, be who you are as you come to God to receive His love].