Customer Reviews

Faith of Leap, The: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure & Courage (Shapevine)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the past several years I have read every book that Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost have written individually and collectively. I have probably been most influenced by Hirsch's "The Forgotten Ways", Frost's book titled "Exiles" and their collaborative work, "The Shaping of Things to Come." Having just finished their latest book, "The Faith of Leap", I believe it may just be their best work to date. They present a theology of risk, adventure and courage that will challenge the reader to step boldly into participating in God's mission with a renewed sense of purpose.

One element that I have always appreciated about Hirsch/Frost is the way they bring together applicable material/research from a wide range of disciplines (sociology, science, business, history, etc.) and filter it through a theological/biblical lens. This book is no different. Every chapter is replete with wonderful insight, illustrations, and encouragement to engage in mission in a way that will propel the reader out of the typical self-concern to other-concern, from "holy huddle to venturing out into God's world." After reading the first chapter I tweeted that it alone was worth the price of the book. However, reading further, I discovered that I felt the exact same way with each subsequent chapter.

To fully engage in God's mission and live the life He intends for Jesus followers, we must embrace risk and adventure. Hirsch/Frost provide excellent instruction on a range of topics to help the reader do just that. They unpack the critical issue of developing "communitas" rather than simply "community." They deal with the importance of overcoming "risk aversion" and the dangers of individualism in the realm of risk taking, and the related damage caused by our pursuit of safety and security. They provide practical insight for a church to move from complacency to developing a sense of urgency for God's mission. There is also an extremely helpful discussion in one of the final chapters titled "Missional Catalysis" in which Hirsch/Frost illustrate perfectly the need to understand mission as the organizing, catalyzing (and even revitalizing) principle of the church. There is much in each of the seven chapters to encourage the reader to understand risk and adventure as an indispensible component of a life with Jesus. You will certainly not be disappointed with this excellent addition to the missional church conversation.

Just set down The Faith of Leap by Frost and Hirch. What Frost and Hirsch have done is created a theology of risk and adventure for the church. Sure, Eldridge and others have addressed the idea of a bold adventurous faith, but it seems that one needs to by-pass the church and live out that adventure as an individual. Drawing from the writings of Joseph Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces, the authors outline, not just what the adventure can be...but should be as a missional church. After all, "When all our church ever expects from us is attendance and tithing, we hardly feel as though our lives are at stake." I read a lot of books and after picking this one up I couldn't set it down.

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. The Faith of Leap: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure, and Courage. Baker Books, 2011. 224 pgs.

In The Faith of Leap Frost and Hirsch encourage the reader to leave the idols of security and safety behind and live out our adventure with God. They remind us that faith always involves risk, that God calls us to make a leap for him and, in that leap, to have the "faith of leap". In order to develop these themes, Frost and Hirsch explore the difference between community and communitas, as well as liminality and how these things affect our churches and are lived out in our mission. Their final chapter then points us to our own communities as the places in which we live out this adventure through the "risk of neighborliness."

There is much to be praised in this book. Chapter five is clearly the highlight, as Hirsch and Frost directly assault our idol of security in an argument and encouragement to get over our risk-averse tendencies. Indeed, far too many churches and Christians are more concerned with safe-guarding their own existence rather than with being actively involved in the mission of God, no matter the cost. However, what these churches have lost is emphatically not their sense of adventure. What they have lost is their sense of calling. Thus begins my disappointment with this book.

In the preface Hirsch bemoans the fact that out of tens of millions of books exploring theology they were unable to find a single study on the nature of adventure itself. Assuming Hirsch was correct as he wrote this preface, he is still correct as I read this book, and perhaps with good reason. What you do not have here is a serious study of the nature of adventure - "its role in shaping our thinking about God, our experience of life, or our participation in mission, church, or discipleship." (13) Instead, you have a recasting of Christian mission in the language and framework of adventure and risk. In doing this, Frost and Hirsch draw on excellent sources, and yet they seem to fail to learn many of the lessons therein.

One of my favorite quotes on this subject, which appears in the introduction, comes from The Lord of the Rings. I am sure you know it. Frodo and Samwise are approaching Mordor, discouraged, hungry, tired, and ready to finish their quest and die. Samwise then says to Frodo:

"The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo, adventures as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of stories went out and looked for because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport, as you might say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually - their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd be forgotten. We hear about those as just went on - and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same - like old Mr. Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?"
We can learn many true things about adventure from this quote. Adventure is not something you seek but something that happens while you faithfully answer a call you did not look for... strike one. Adventure is not something that those in it often find enjoyable or desirable, but what you must do in being faithful.... strike two. Adventure is not, primarily, about deeds of daring-do but about trudging on, faithfully, through difficulties.... strike three.

Perhaps there is a reason for there not being any sustained and serious theological examination of the idea of adventure. Perhaps it is because Tolkien got these three truths exactly right. If adventure is not something you seek but, instead, something that happens to you, then whence this book? If adventure is not enjoyable or desirable, when rightly understood, then why are we trying to dress it up otherwise? Further, why would we encourage more of it? And if adventure is about faithfulness in the face of difficulties then why would we try to embed adventure in our churches instead of embedding faithfulness and perseverance?

The answer, I think, also lies in the same quote from Tolkien. People who hear adventures, instead of living them, think of adventures in ways which are unrealistic and wrong. This is further compounded by Hollywood. We watch adventure movies in which hours, months, or years of training are compressed into a montage of flowing images put to catchy music (you can't beat classic Rocky for this) so that we can quickly move on to the 'adventure' part of the story. Of course, the same is true even in biblical stories. Joseph spends years toiling away in obscurity, remaining faithful and persevering, before any 'adventure' occurs. This is the way of real life.

A serious theological study of adventure would have to include a study of our cultural distortions of adventure, our misplaced desires for impossible levels of excitement, and our inability to maintain the years of faithfulness necessary in preparation for whatever 'adventure' God may have for us. It would also involve many of the things Frost and Hirsch included in their book, such as an attack on the idol of security, a calling out of Church's lack of mission, and an examination of how 'adventure' is part of community formation. I suppose that what I am saying is that this book contains only half of the story. In so doing, this book can, unintentionally I am sure, be setting people up for disappointment and disillusionment. If we come to Jesus for adventure and find, instead, that we are called to years of faithfulness in which we, ourselves, may or may not see any of the fruit of our labor then our expectations, false though they were, will have been dashed on the hard rocks of discipleship and we may, in some ways rightly, feel ripped off and move on believing God did not deliver on his end of the bargain. Of course, grace will lead many through this problem despite the damage we will have done, but that is no excuse. When we falsely represent the call of Christ, and what to expect in answering it, we are playing an incredibly dangerous game.

Does the church need to stop being so risk-averse? Absolutely. Do we need a missional understanding of both church and God? Most assuredly. It is while encouraging these that this book shines. However, in order to overcome these problems what the church does not need is a renewed 'sense of adventure' or a desire to be heroes. What we need is a renewed call to faithfulness, a renewed understanding of our Lord, and a renewed willingness to carry our cross for Christ. While these were touched upon throughout The Faith of Leap they fell well behind the focus on adventure.

Conclusion: 2.5 Stars. Not Recommended. In terms of missional churches, understanding God, or theology there is nothing new here. It is simply re-framed material and, in my opinion, re-framed in an unhelpful and dangerous manner.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

This book has some good and some not so good.

First, the good. Frost and Hirsch do an excellent job of stating the premise of the book early, when they write in the introduction: "The church..should be a fully God-alive, dynamic, adventurous, world -transforming agency."

Amen to that. In a nutshell, the Christian church needs to take more risks, experience more adventure..show more courage. Again, I agree with all of that.

And Chapter 5, GETTING OVER RISK AVERSION, is perhaps the best in the book. For too long the church has indeed, settled for staying in the "safe" places, whatever those are. God calls us to an adventure, to continually moving out of our comfort zones with His love to a world largely not aware of it.

Where the authors get it wrong is when they write on page 35, "Books that explore a theology of risk, adventure, and courage, simply do not exist."

Huh?? Not only do they exist, Frost and Hirsch quote several in the book itself: THE WILD GOSPEL, RISK SOCIETY, THE BARBARIAN WAY, WILD AT HEART, and EDGEMARK: THE SOCIOLOGY OF RISK-TAKING just to name a few. I also thought of a few right off the top of my head, including John Fischer's excellent work, FEARLESS FAITH, and Gary Haugen's JUST COURAGE.

The authors make it sound as if they're the first ones to address the topics of courage and risk from a Christian point of view. That simply wrong.

Other books about the missional church have been written..not a whole lot of new information is included in this book. It's not bad, but it's nothing we haven't read or heard before.

As American Christians, we regularly are challenged to move out of our comfort zones in order to be effective ministers of the Gospel of Christ. Unless we are willing to boldly take some risks, we cannot truly grow ourselves nor can we reach this lost world.

This is the general idea put forth by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch in their book The Faith of Leap. Their intention in this effort was to create an academic work on this concept, referring to it as the "theology of risk."

Their idea is good. Throughout Scripture we find examples of Biblical heroes who are instructed by God to step out in faith, taking risks that would be destructive without the guarantee of success at God's hand.

The foundation Frost and Hirsch build to support their idea, however, concerns me. In a single paragraph early in the book, the authors introduce the topic of open theism. After this very brief introduction and incomplete, minimal explanation, there is no further discussion of open theism. But, the suggestion remains that this is the foundation for their theology of risk. This is primarily contemplated in the idea that God Himself takes risk, an idea that robs God of His omniscience and omnipotence. Laying this foundational mentality left me very uneasy with the remainder of their argument.

I was further concerned by the sources used to support the theology of risk. A wide variety of wonderful authors were cited, but Bible usage was proportionally very weak. While I understand that an academic work does tend to rely heavily on the previous work of other experts, I cannot feel comfortable with an academic work of theology that lacks heavy reference to Scripture itself. An author runs the risk of creating a theology based on men's understanding and ideas rather than Scriptural truth when he does not support every aspect of his theology with contextual Scripture.

Bottom line: The idea is a valid one. The examples and stories are interesting and emotionally stirring. The excerpts and quotes are thought-provoking. If The Faith of Leap is read as the thoughts and ideas of two men, it can be inspiring. But, readers must be careful when adopting a theology based simply on the thoughts and ideas of two men. As for my household, we tend to find much more motivation to live a life of risk when we read and truly study the Word of God together as a family. We find much encouragement and many ideas when we read the biographies of men and women who have lived lives of risk themselves.

This book was sent to me in exchange for my honest review.

Hirsch and Frost have written a book that the evangelical church needs desperately. We seem to base everything we do around being comfortable and not risking for the one we love and live for. That doesn't make sense. I am a denominational leader and find such complacency among pastors and leaders. They are fine to be called "Christians" but have not clue what a "Jesus Follower" seems to be. I am giving a copy of this to all the leaders in my region!!!

The authors are generous with examples, clear with their point to point explanations, and very convicted in the need for church to take the leap of faith, by adopting an attitude of a faith that leaps, and leaps, and leaps.

I am so glad to have read this book. The authors are clearly passionate about the Church and the kingdom of God. More importantly, they remind us again that the church does not exist for herself. The message is so good that it must be shared. This book is a much needed insulin to wake up sleepy and lethargic churches. It gives leaders an important shot in the arm to revitalize the need for missional strategies, for discipleship matters, and for a sense of urgency to live in faith by leaping into neighbourhoods, into unknown territories, and toward an exciting adventure in Christ. I am so glad to read this book because it prompts me to reconsider 3 things.

1) Repentance from a risk averse attitude to change, even positive change.
2) Reminder about our Christian Calling toward Adventure.
3) Reinvigorate our innate desire to be courageous enough to take the leap of faith, by adopting an attitude of leaping faith.

I strongly recommends this book for church leaders, and all who are passionate about wanting to see the kingdom of God done in heaven as well as on earth.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

This in my opinion is the best book from Hirsch/Frost to date. While I am profoundly grateful for the missional theology and practice that these two have brought to the table, I feel this book is the one that will make the ball drop for the masses. The opening remarks on the kind of faith Abraham are a jolting reminder for us all of what "normal" faith is like. I highly recommend this work.

Drawing on sources as diverse as J.R.R. Tolkien, sociology, anthropology, mythology and Disney films, authors Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch take a close look at ideas of adventure, heroism, and risk-taking as a means of both missional outreach and fostering deep community within the church. They outline elements of hero myth to illuminate the desire and need for adventure, for breaking out that lies deep within each person and describe how these yearnings find their source in the life of Jesus Christ who exemplified this idea of adventure and risk-taking.

In contemporary society, risk is an enemy and we work sedulously to remove it; we have become a risk-averse people, insulating ourselves from many experiences that might otherwise have proven beneficial. The authors predict the end of the Western Church as we know it if it continues to embrace the false idols of comfort and security and is unwilling to get out of its insular building and into the lives of the community in which it is placed. A bold and sobering claim to be sure, but one eminently worth considering.

Using as an example Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and the deep community forged among the members of the fellowship through shared trial and hardship, the authors offer a solution that explores how the church can and must embrace risk and adventure by consciously placing itself in risk situations that foster liminality. Liminality is a place of disorientation due to loss of familiar context, where members of a community must rely on each other in order to survive, thus creating bonds that run much deeper than is the case with ordinary acquaintances or passing friends; in fact, creating the type of community that people long for. Much church community these days looks more like a mixture of sharing, Bible study, and support group. These have their necessary place, but far deeper and more meaningful community can be accessed through shared adventures and risk-taking.

What does such risk look like? The authors suggest that it is the missional risk of being neighborly, of meeting people where they are in their lives; of being rooted in a community and becoming part of it; learning who its leaders, advocates and outcasts are; working there and living there; saying yes to all invitations; listening. In short, willingly casting aside comfort, being okay with unknown outcomes and casting aside the need to control of such outcomes.

If you care about the future of the church or creating deep community, I would highly recommend this book.

Alan and Michael have written a book that defines the heart of the Gospel... freedom, and peace. Freedom to live with confidence in a world filled with fear... and peace knowing that whatever may happen our adventures lived in the will of God will shape us into stronger and more mature Christians. This reckless abandon that they speak of in the book is not some mindless pursuit of frivolity, but it is understanding our place as children of the Creator of all things... Security and control are really delusions. The biggest fear you may have is whether to buy and then read this book... but I assure you that if and when you do... fear and anxiety will be put on notice...

Great book, insightful and theologically sound authors.