Monday, July 30, 2012
Review of SUBVERSIVE KINGDOM by Ed Stetzer
Photo Credit: Broadman & Holman
Who the book is for: Christians
Rating: 5 out of 5
Ed Stetzer’s newest book SUBVERSIVE KINGDOM is a challenging, inspiring, and thoroughly biblical exploration of the kingdom of God and a Christ follower’s role within it. Stetzer paints a world that is in open rebellion to God, its rightful King, making Christ followers in rebellion against this wide scale rebellion. Citizens of God’s kingdom are meant live differently, and Stetzer looks at the nature of the advance of God’s kingdom in the Bible to be highly subversive. The subversive nature of the kingdom means that followers of Jesus are constantly seeking ways to impact the culture we find ourselves in with the radically transforming message of the gospel.
I love how Stetzer connects the vision painted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to how Christians are to engage with people both on the inside and the outside of the kingdom of God. The Kingdom “Rules of Engagement” mean that Christ followers are constantly pursuing people with genuine love and a desire to see the gospel transforming their lives. This genuine love leaves no room for self-righteous judgment in our engagement with people. We offer grace and mercy as we meet practical needs and show people the incredible nature of our King.
Stetzer's writing style is warm and engaging as he shares many personal stories and several humorous stories as well. I especially appreciated the story he shared about him and Thom Rainer.
Stetzer calls Christians “agents of Gospel transformation,” and I think he has done an incredible job of painting a real-world ethic for how Christians are to live in the world, both individually and as part of the gospel community of the church. Churches should get this book into the hands of its members and encourage people in their journey of being agents of gospel transformation.
I received this book for free for review from Broadman and Holman, and the opinions contained in this review are completely my own
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