"Unchurching" Book Review
"Unchurching: Christianity without Churchianity" is a new book by Richard Jacobson. He seeks to "...paint a picture of the church without filtering the text through the lens of man-made tradition" as well as compare the modern church to the ancient church, and look at church "outside the box and discuss how to make the transition.
Unfortunately, the book starts off so doctrinal and full of Biblical literalism that it's difficult to stay engaged long enough to hear how to "unchurch". Jacobson seems to miss the fact that Genesis is a poem. He mentions odd Biblical translations of words but not the textual fallibility that goes with the translations.
The book ignores many of the subversive ideals of today's church and gets bogged down in the centuries-old debates of sexism and church leadership that have no bearing on the church outside of stuffy fundamentalism.
There is a good recognition of the growing importance of the Trinity in the book. Jacobson gets the idea that all parts of the Godhead are equal. However, his sensible theology ends when he states that the Apostle Peter expects us to defend our faith, but proselytizing only segregates religions and breaks down the community the author seeks to build. He further alienates Jewish people by degrading the Older Testament as inferior to the Newer Testament.
While reporting on church history may be a necessary backdrop, Jacobson gets distracted by common church themes that are failing the younger generation. Worship is one such area. Jacobson advocates for extravagance in worship, but for me that is a dangerous and repugnant slope that threatens to alienate the poor and downtrodden as many churches do. He finally gets around to renouncing this idea after seeming to support it for a chapter.
Jacobson tries to renew some hope with communities banding together with more independence. His idea of having a slower process of forming a church including starting without leadership is a good beginning for new congregations. Unfortunately he does not speak to church leaders currently wielding selfish tyrannical power.
The book needs more focus on being the church, since doing church is not working for the younger generation. "Unchurching" focuses too much on the way church was and is. Jacobson tries to re-form a dying institution rather than transform people and communities. Instead of re-forming the clay, we need new mud and water to cleanse the blind eyes of the faithful.
I give it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Paul Kolak
6/20/16
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Unfortunately, the book starts off so doctrinal and full of Biblical literalism that it's difficult to stay engaged long enough to hear how to "unchurch". Jacobson seems to miss the fact that Genesis is a poem. He mentions odd Biblical translations of words but not the textual fallibility that goes with the translations.
The book ignores many of the subversive ideals of today's church and gets bogged down in the centuries-old debates of sexism and church leadership that have no bearing on the church outside of stuffy fundamentalism.
There is a good recognition of the growing importance of the Trinity in the book. Jacobson gets the idea that all parts of the Godhead are equal. However, his sensible theology ends when he states that the Apostle Peter expects us to defend our faith, but proselytizing only segregates religions and breaks down the community the author seeks to build. He further alienates Jewish people by degrading the Older Testament as inferior to the Newer Testament.
While reporting on church history may be a necessary backdrop, Jacobson gets distracted by common church themes that are failing the younger generation. Worship is one such area. Jacobson advocates for extravagance in worship, but for me that is a dangerous and repugnant slope that threatens to alienate the poor and downtrodden as many churches do. He finally gets around to renouncing this idea after seeming to support it for a chapter.
Jacobson tries to renew some hope with communities banding together with more independence. His idea of having a slower process of forming a church including starting without leadership is a good beginning for new congregations. Unfortunately he does not speak to church leaders currently wielding selfish tyrannical power.
The book needs more focus on being the church, since doing church is not working for the younger generation. "Unchurching" focuses too much on the way church was and is. Jacobson tries to re-form a dying institution rather than transform people and communities. Instead of re-forming the clay, we need new mud and water to cleanse the blind eyes of the faithful.
I give it 1 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Paul Kolak
6/20/16
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
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