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How to Inherit the Earth: Submitting Ourselves to a Servant Savior

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With "How To Inherit The Earth," author Scott A. Bessenecker set out to "write a critique of the Christian infatuation with leadership." Instead, he added his own contribution to the mix. Even if it was by accident, as he says, we are the better for it.

Bessenecker does explore the near obsession with leadership material in Christian bookstores today, but not just as mere observation. He asserts that our focus should be on becoming effective followers of Christ, and less on becoming effective leaders. Bessenecker points out that even the apostle Paul "was more concerned with the exercise of excellent servanthood than he was with excellent leadership" and clearly communicates the need for Christians to do the same. By becoming effective followers of Christ, we are able to lead from a place of love and humility. "Followers of Jesus should be preoccupied by an ambition to outdo one another in sacrificial love, respect, obedience and submission," he says.

Bessenecker explains the MONOPOLY (TM) mindset and "biggering" that dominates the West and has infiltrated our churches and leadership structures. He explains why it flies in the face of the downward mobility that is required of Christians. While Bessenecker emphasizes the need for a renewed focus on becoming better followers, he never questions the necessity of leadership; only how it is defined and implemented. He says, "We want to come under meek leaders, destined to inherit the earth because they lead with love, are mindful of the powerless and feel the spiritual weight of their position."

Bessenecker uses personal stories, self-deprecating humor and brutal honesty to get his points across, often sharing his personal struggles and failures to punctuate an idea. In particular, I found his thoughts on wealth, comparison and entitlement, and how they impact our lives as believers, to be challenging and insightful. He suggests we should live a life defined by meekness, submission, repentance, following, slavery and obedience in order to flourish spiritually. It looks good in print, but, as Bessenecker would likely agree, is quite challenging to live out. Hopefully, we are up to the challenge.

(Book provided by IVP)

We've all read books that confront us in our sin by slapping us around. Scott Bessenecker instead comes alongside of the reader, puts his arm around you, and invites you to journey with him toward a mindset of humility. He writes not from a perspective of having arrived, but from the perspective of one who has chosen to make the journey. Scott's writing style is so direct that I found myself groaning each time I recognized my own prideful thoughts hidden cleverly amidst my religious and self-righteous thinking.

I'd recommend this book for anyone who is willing to put their hearts under the microscope in a sincere effort to "give God something to work with."

A bit of faith may be what's needed to help the world spin more easily. "How to Inherit the Earth: Submitting Ourselves to a Servant Savior" is a discussion of faith and submission, looking towards Christianity and the role of leadership around the world. Discussing values such as pride, independence, envy, and other subjects and what role they play in a world where leadership is king, "How to Inherit the Earth" is an intriguing read that offers much to think about for Christian readers.

"How to Inherit the Earth" helps us freshly hear Jesus' radical call to carry our crosses and follow him in a kingdom where serving others in love is the position of power and strength. In a world obsessed with possessions and leadership, "How to Inherit the Earth" reminds us that Jesus left the privileges of Heaven, set aside his rights as God, becoming one of us, and learning obedience through what he suffered. Our joy should be to follow in his steps.

For anyone serving in a position of spiritual authority, or for anyone who desires to walk in the Way, "How to Inherit the Earth" is a must read.

If your looking to help yourself become "better", or rise through the ranks, have greater stature among your peers, or just feel good about yourself, look elsewhere. But if you are interested in dying to self, taking up your cross, and following Jesus, then you might like this book. Myself, I didn't really enjoy it. How can I? But I promise this, I will be thinking about this book a lot, and I will be reconsidering my motivations daily, to be sure they are not mine but the Lord's.

Tough book, only for the courageous, and truly hungry for more of Jesus.

Highly recommended.

How to Inherit the Earth messes with the way I think. The reality of dying to myself to serve others, submit to others, and say no to things like entitlement and independence is a truth I need to constantly remember.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is "Following Jesus on the downward journey does not mean you will never have power. It only means that you will never use it for yourself."

Bessenecker knows how to challenge to American Christians and call us out of lives of entitlement into lives of full submission to Jesus. A solid message that isn't really popular.

This read is well worth your time.