I got Rob Bell and Don Golden’s newest book, Jesus Wants To Save Christians: A Manifesto For The Church In Exile, and finished it after two sittings. I wish I could say it was because I was so engrossed, but it was just a quick read. Lots of white space in between sentences. This is not to say that it isn’t a good book, but like my post about rouge sheep, I got the feeling that he was writing what has been in some of Amos’ posts and various conversations so I am no longer looking at Bell as a leader, but as a fellow scout.
I am not going to go in depth about the book, but rather post several quotes. In looking for a good review, I think Skye Jethani over at the blog Out of Ur lines up with my thoughts, so here are links to part 1 and part 2. And I did not borrow the “lot of white space” comment from Jethani, I saw that after reading the review. 
In the intro to the intro they (Bell and Golden) mention Tom Holland and the New Exodus Perspective. Read about it here and here. I am still looking into this, and it has caused me to pause on a post I was writing about Paul. However, I recommend taking a look at the links for your own scholarship.
On to the quotes:
After talking about airport security become more intrusive yet more convenient they ask on page 17:
One can’t help but wonder, is there an enemy of America, hiding somewhere in a cave, laughing? Already plotting some other way to harm us that will have nothing to do with airplanes? Or are they plotting nothing? Because they realize whatever they might do next, it would be nowhere as destructive as what we’re already doing to ourselves.
And talking about Solomon and his use of forced labor on pages 38-42:
So what did Solomon do with his wealth and power and influence? What kind of kingdom did he build? Did he maintain justice and righteousness with his vast resources? Because it can go one of two ways in Jerusalem, can’t it? Solomon, like us, can use his power and wealth to do something about the cry of the oppressed, or he can turn a deaf ear.(38)
In a few generations these wandering former slaves who were rescued from an oppressive empire have become empire-builders themselves. Solomon isn’t maintaining justice; he’s now perpetuating the very injustice his people needed redemption from, and in the process, building a kingdom of comfort.(39)
On America:
America is an empire. And the Bible has lots to say about empires. Most of the Bible is a history told by people living in lands occupied by conquering superpowers. It is a book written from the underside of power. It’s an oppression narrative. The majority of the Bible was written by a minority people living under the rule and reign of massive, mighty empires, from the Egyptian Empire to the Babylonian Empire to the Persian Empire to the Assyrian Empire to the Roman Empire.
This can make the Bible a very difficult book to understand if you are reading it as a citizen of the the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. Without careful study and reflection, and humility, it may even be possible to miss central themes of the Scriptures.
Because what’s true of empires then is true of empires now.(121)
I am still rereading as I type this post. I could post many more quotes, but Zondervan might get upset. Without trying to sound too apocalyptic, it seems there is a growing voice calling out the behavior of America and finally it is coming from the Church (uppercase C).
-mike
December 31, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Very nice. I’m anxious to read it, but am of course in the middle of several other books at the moment.
January 26, 2009 at 3:40 am
It wasn’t bad. Seemed like a step in the right direction. At times it comes off like mainstream Christian theology, other times it veers toward “rogue christian craziness-lite”. Rob is an insightful guy. I think at times though he takes too much of the “gospels as historicity” for granted and ends up connecting things (like Exodus and the books of the prophets) in a way that more reflects two thousand years of scribal agenda and Christian apologetics than a genuine portrait of Jesus and his message. I hate to sound harsh because i did enjoy the book, but boil it all down and you end up with the same thing the church has been spouting off for years in a new “cool” package topped off with a few new buzz words and a little “anti-empire” icing… you Know, for the kids.
It seems to me like it has a place. It’s a good first step for venturing out away from the mainstream church… but it’s not exactly a huge step.
January 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm
@ Chris:
I would agree with Chris from our vantage point here and now. However, looking back at my first hesitant steps away from the mainstream institution, I remember Bell as quite enlightening.
@ All:
I wonder sometimes about Bell’s agenda. I mean the guy pretty much pastors a mega-church, so why write what he writes?
On one hand, his writings seem to erode at the very foundation he has built upon. If that is true, then why does he continue to play the part of founding pastor (or whatever they call him up there in Grand Rapids)?
On the other, his writing could come off as a ploy to bring people over to the Emergent Side.
I have never met the guy personally, so I can’t say anything about him personally. Like Chris, I find him very insightful. He has been a springboard from many discussions I have been in and steering me toward the current state of my faith (a good thing).
Maybe he has come to a point where he can reconcile the church as an institution while critiqing it. If so, I’d like to read how. I know a few years ago he was interviewed in Christianity Today and I vaguely remember him touching on the subject.
I still stand by what I said above. I consider him a fellow scout (read rouge) more than a personal leader. I would add that Christendom would be much better off if more of us would realize our potential as rogues.
-mike