Jesus Manifesto by Sweet and Viola

A new book by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola has been published today called "The Jesus Manifesto ."  It is receiving thunderous acclaim from all corners of Christendom and I received the kindness of receiving a complimentary pre-pub copy of the book from the publishers, with the stipulation that I mention it on my blog here on the date it is published.  

So, many thanks to the good folks at Thomas Nelson for sending this to me and I invite you to follow either of the above links to see some of what the book is about and see some of the recommendations from leaders that many of you trust. 

As for me, I have read the first several chapters and each time I read a chapter it is hard to work up any enthusiasm for going back to read the next chapter.  It's not that they are saying anything I necessarily disagree with, in fact much of it is spot on.  But the book insinuates that these authors are telling us something new in telling us that the Christian life is all about Jesus. 

It reminds me of an incident from my childhood.  As I grew up there was a Burger King not far from my house that I could walk to and I went there often to get a cheeseburger, fries and a coke.  I loved cheeseburgers, I loved fries and I loved cokes.  But during the summer I would go visit my grandparents in West Virginia in a small town where there were no Burger Kings.  One summer my cravings for french fries overcame me and I begged my grandparents to take me somewhere to get some french fries.  Later that day the most amazing thing happened.  

I went into the kitchen where my grandmother was slicing up a bunch of potatoes and putting them in a frying pan and then she served them and lo and behold, they were french fries.  This excited me so much that when my parents came to pick me up later the first thing I did was run out the door and excitedly announce to my mom the following - "MOM! MOM! did you know you can make FRENCH FRIES out of POTATOES?   Mawmaw knows how to make french fries out of potatoes!"  My mom still howls over that one and trots the story out regularly at family gatherings. 

Frankly though, that's the feeling I get in reading this book - in announcing to the rest of us lukewarm folks that the Christian life is all about Jesus they remind me of myself announcing to my mom that you can make french fries out of potatoes. 

I don't doubt that we lose sight of Jesus, I know it's a regular practice of mine and I also like to tell my congregation that the gospel leaks, hence we must be reminding ourselves of the gospel all the time.  In that respect this book has some good stuff to say. I do think that the work of Tim Keller and Mike Horton on the topic of recovering Jesus and the gospel are far more substantive.  Also, J. Gresham Machen's book "Christianity and Liberalism" is still unsurpassed on the same subject.  

But these are just my reactions and I know I can be a bit cranky these days.  Many folks who are far better than me like the book so I'll defer to them, but I still don't see what all the fuss is about. 

Comments

[Byron Borger]

David,

As always, a jolly blogger, even when being a tad critical. I am trying to write something similar for BookNotes, but don't have a story as cool as that french fries story. I do think there are a few remarkable parts, and lots of Sweet-isms, that, if they don't drive you crazy, are nearly inspired word-plays and witticisms. And their take on the Trinity has shades of Eastern Orthodoxy, which drove me to inquire of a lay theologian who has studied these things if it seemed right. So, there is substance here, and I always enjoy anybody teaching on our Lord Jesus. Like "Seeking and Savoring Christ" by Piper: nothing new, but I re-read it regularly for the sheer humbling joy of being reminded.

Still, I am wondering "where's the beef?" I wish all reviewers were as discerning and as kind as you. Thanks.

[dave]

I felt much the same - it was fine but it seems to me plenty of people are already saying the same thing and saying it better...
http://thebluefish.org/2010/05/jesus-manifesto.html

[Elchupacabracr]

A friend of mine, John Voelz, collaborated with the authors to release a song, like a theme song to Jesus Manifesto. You can find the sheet music to the song here

http://johnvoelzblog.blogspot.com/

The song is also available for download on iTunes.

[Dan Edelen]

David,

I agree with you on the book. If I had to choose one similar book to read instead, I would go with the more deep and majestic The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. No doubt, Jesus Manifesto doesn't say anything new. But then again, how could it? ;-)

I think the major value here is that the authors condense a lot of good stuff into a small book. Most of all, I really like what they have to say about the Christian's and the Church's identity in Christ. We simply are not being given enough of that reality. We overstate our sinfulness and understate that we are no longer enemies of God, or even servants, but friends, fellow brothers with Christ, and saints. We are not told all that Christ has purchased for us. We neglect the power found in being seated with Him in the heavenlies. Our church leaders don't talk about this enough. I'm glad that Sweet and Viola did.

[joe]

Great post! As always. Thanks and ongoing prayers.

[Pertinacious Papist]

Pastor David,

You say you don't know what the fuss is all about. I'll tell ya what it could be, Sir. It could be like what happened to the Catholic monk, Martin Luther. Y'know, sometimes his scrupulosity got the best of him, and he'd turn around right after going to confession and go right back in to see his confessor, Johann von Staupitz. Finally Staupitz just got fed up and told him as a penance to read the Book of Romans. Luther did so, and the lights went on. Oh, sweet Jesus, he discovered it's all about GRACE! And so the Catholic monk discovered for himself the Catholic Gospel, and then hived off with his followers to re-invent the Church. Something like that.

To someone like yourself who is familiar with Machen, Owens, Warfield, Kuyper, and Bavinck and all the rest, these fries may seem like small potatoes. But to young whipper-snapers who have not yet supped sumptuously at the KING's table, even their fries may seem like pretty hot stuff. The Gospel is dynamite. It's amusing to sit and watch how excited these little tykes get, isn't it! I often wonder how Luther's excitement must have looked to his confessor, Staupitz . . .

Pertinaciously,
Papist

[SE]

Pertinacious Papist... that was a good post. Very true! Yes, and it is often people that are discovering things that are new (to them) that make a big deal out of the discovery. (and they usually get arrogant about it, too...) Sometimes, the "older, mature" ones have already "moved on" to challenges less central to the faith of the many (immature) ones that are out there in the world. Such is the case with many medieval Catholics who KNEW the way and found it for themselves (and granted it to themselves)... but by their very doctrines and practices... convinced others that it wasn't that easily accessible TO THEM. Martin Luther (and others) blew the doors wide open and said: see how simple it is, Enter in! (you must admit that sometimes mental maturity can breed... over-complication, not to mention complacency.)

[The Rev. Canon Dr. Duke Vipperman]

Thank you for your review. Very helpful. We are considering at this church a fall series on Jesus (as we usually do). It seems to me "Jesus Manifesto" seeks to update Christology for the 21st Century. That seems to be the way we want to go - but like you I am not sure Manfesto is the bets choice. Before we put the series together, we are also going to peer into Keller's "Prodigal God." I wasn't sure from what you wrote which of Mike Horton's books you were recommending. Sure like to know.

Thanks again.