They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. For the most part I’d agree with that…but you can judge a book by its author and you can assume the content based on its affiliates. That’s why off the bat I was hesitant to read Shane Claiborne’s “Irresistible Revolution” because of those who advertised their support for this book. The foreword writer, Jim Wallis, has for years been an eye sore to the lost and has behaved in ways that aren’t necessarily consistent with Christianity. He’s been arrested over twenty times for civil disobedience, holds tight to the Christian left (which I have a hard time believing in), and is a spiritual advisor to Obama (and if you’re up to date on them you’d understand why he’s not in my “favorites” category), Rob Bell (Need I say more?), Brian McLaren, the big cheese of the emergent church etc. Plus I knew the gist of this book and from reading the foreword and other brief synopsis’ I gathered it to be another love, love, love book with a watered-down gospel and scriptural perversion. However, that wasn’t enough- I had to dig deeper and read it for myself…and by doing so it affirmed my theory that you can in fact judge a book by its author or those associated with them. Shane obviously has a zealous heart that he aims toward reaching the poor and oppressed which is highly admirable but such passion can be neutralized or worse counter productive when it conflicts with the scriptural guidance we’ve been given. One example is his actions during the Operation: Iraqi Freedom orientation AKA “Shock and Awe” when he was on the frontlines of the Baghdad bombing in March ’03 not to be confused with a service member but a claimed advocate for Jesus as he went around witnessing in a combat zone that was, in my opinion, rightfully being destroyed. Now, is this gonna me complaining about some anti-war lib and rantin’ and raving over whether or not we should be there?...not so much but more so trying to balance out this inaccurate portrait of Christ that Claiborne and his pacifist pantomimes have painted. This book is offensive to me. VERY offensive to me. I was in coffee bean merely educating myself on what Claiborne had to say and as I reached the end I read a part that made me want to throw this book across the room. Claiborne discusses his journey to Iraq and makes some comments that hurt me so badly. If you know someone who perished in a combat zone or if you have any sense of patriotism or yearning for justice…then it’ll hurt you too. I tear'd up as I read the following passage:
“I am going to Iraq to stand in the way of war. Thousands of soldiers have gone to Iraq, willing to kill people they do not know
because of a political allegiance. I go willing to die for people I do not know because of a spiritual allegiance.”
WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS!?!? A political allegiance!? Nobody was drafted to Iraq, pal! Sure they swore in but they decided to swear in as a voluntary means to establish justice among the nations and protection to our country! This guy makes me want to puke! Who is he to judge the motive of our brave service members!? Hey Claiborne- maybe, JUST maybe, our guardian troops have answered the call to duty because they know that they can make a difference in a young Iraqi kid’s life. Ever see the children on the streets of Iraq holding up signs saying, “thank you USA” “Thank you US Troops” and yes even “Thank you Mr. Bush”…how bout that? The kids of Iraq walk the streets innocently with the fear of being shot merely because a terrorist stubbed his toe. If we don’t do anything about this then they’ll continue to be killed (that’s love, right?) See the photos below before you assume the military is a bunch of animals on a mission to kill with no regard for justice or morality.
“There are Muslim and Christian extremists who are willing to kill for their gods.”
What!? I can understand the Muslim part but where do you get the Christian part? I don’t know about that…I wouldn’t call them Christians. He also states that war is a “myth of redemptive violence”. Shane, God lead men into battle. He did I promise you he did. It’s in the Bible. DO NOT tell me that just because it’s in the Old Testament that it doesn’t apply. SPARE me the argument. What part of Christ fulfilling the law negates the method of war? Oh, and I do believe Romans is still in the New Testament so why not check out chapter 13 and start from the beginning.
Friends, I encourage you all to be weary of such authors. Many of whom write sugar coated messages with concepts that are pleasing to the ear but are not accurate and are not what people need to hear. Please make sure that before you pick up any “Christian living” book that you have taken time to read your Bible, spent time in prayer, and have been silent before the Lord in obedience and acceptance to his Spirit.
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