Moving Forward in Exploration of Christ
A Book Review of "Jesus Manifesto: Restoring the Supremacy and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ" by Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola--Reviewed by David D. Flowers, free-lance writer & blogger
I can hear it now, "Do we really need another book about Jesus?" Apparently so... considering that as we entered the twenty-first century only 4 books out of the top 100 were about Jesus (Christian Book Association).
In "Jesus Manifesto," Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola combine their voices to trumpet a resounding reminder that we never "graduate beyond Christ" in the Christian faith. And Christ isn't found only in the center of things, but along the "corners and on the edges" as well.
Sweet and Viola believe we have created a "narcissistic" and a "best-seller" Christianity which is "self-centeredness wrapped up as `spirituality,' which has become the latest fashion accessory for the person who has everything" (p. 100). There is indeed much to be disheartened with in Christianity today. Yet, there is a growing number of evangelicals that are discovering that pop-culture Christianity is leaving them high and dry. "Whether they realize it or not," says Sweet and Viola, "people are looking for a fresh alternative--a third way" (p. xiii).
As I look across the present post-modern landscape of Christianity, I see several camps of believers pushing their way through the crowd to stand on the rooftop of evangelicalism with their megaphone in hand (i.e. books, magazines, blogs, etc.) proclaiming the "real" gospel. There are several current groups and "movements" that are all trying to highlight the neglected sides of historic Christianity. We have the reformed "defenders of orthodoxy," the emerging brand, the missional-minded, and the organic house church folk... just to name a few. I do believe that most of the people in these groups truly love the Lord and his church, but many of them are in danger of becoming preoccupied with some thing else other than Christ.
Sweet and Viola believe there are three features present in every spiritual awakening in the Christian church: (1) a rediscovery of the "living Word," or the Scriptures and its authority; (2) a rediscovery of the living Christ and His supremacy; and (3) a rediscovery of the living Spirit and the Spirit's gifts and power to manifest Christ in the context of that culture. (p. xvii)
We're living in some hot times economically, politically, and socially. Christians are engaging in an exchange of ideas (not without some name-calling and finger-pointing). It's evident that even those who have been the most outspoken for the "supremacy of Christ" and right "doctrine" have succumbed to rhetorically burning people at the stake in the name of Jesus. Where is Christ in word and deed? Sweet and Viola write, "Whatever you are occupied with comes out of your mouth. It's what you talk about most of the time" (p.19). And we should not just be hearers of Jesus only, but doers of Him.
Is "mission" our center? Is it community? Some say it's preaching and others... ministry. If we say that Christ is central and supreme, what does that mean concerning justice? What does His universe look like when we are first seeking Christ and His Kingdom? "When Christ is not central and supreme in our lives, everything about life shifts out of orbit and moves out of kilter. So for Christians, our first task is to know Jesus. And out of that knowing, we will come to love Him, adore Him, proclaim Him, and manifest Him" (p. 2).
That's why this book has been written. It addresses the present challenges we face as many "things" compete for the centrality and supremacy of the person Jesus Christ. We are called to be "living epistles" or "Jesus Manifestos" in our world. It's about being true to Christianity. "So what is Christianity? It is Christ. Nothing more. Nothing less. Christianity is not an ideology or a philosophy. Neither is it a new type of morality, social ethic, or worldview. Christianity is the `good news' that beauty, truth, and goodness are found in a person. And true humanity and community are founded on and experienced by connection to that person" (p. xvi).
Finally, "Jesus Manifesto" has been purposely written in an "ancient devotional tone" of writing. In the spirit of Watchman Nee, Jeanne Guyon, Andrew Murray, and T. Austin-Sparks, this book is a fresh call to the post-modern church... "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb. 12:2).
And let us move forward in exploration of Christ Jesus our Lord.
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Paul, Colossians 2:6,7
Can we, as the Christian church, agree upon the person of Christ? "Receiving Christ also means receiving all who belong to Him" (p. 147). Will you sign the Jesus Manifesto?
