A Google user
Michael Spencer (a.k.a. The Internet Monk) has caught my attention with his book Mere Churchianity. Released posthumously after a bout with cancer, “Churchianity” is a collection of Spencer’s blog posts and reflections on faith with a pinch of Southern charm.
One thing that makes this book markedly different from others in this genre is the target audience. Early on, Spencer shares that he would encourage Christians to read this book, however, the book is not meant for a traditional Christian audience. Instead, he is speaking primarily to people who might be drawn to God (if it weren’t for Christians).
In this book, he bunks the assumption that more church equals more Jesus, and even points to instances where the contrary is true. He sympathizes with those who have had sour church experiences, but implores them to carefully (re)consider Jesus. Society labels Jesus in a lot of paradoxical ways, and the difference can be as sharp as apple juice and apple vinegar. We need to learn how to pick Jesus out of a crowd.
In search of a more “Jesus-shaped” spirituality, Spencer brings us through his personal journey of being formed and transformed by Jesus. He insists that we seek the real Jesus – not an Americanized version of Jesus and not your church’s interpretation of Jesus. He even convicts with tough accusations like “are you a follower of Jesus or an occasional fan of Jesus?”
This book is both playful and insightful, but mostly I appreciate Spencer’s heart. Writing to the disaffected, the burdened, the church leavers, and the castaways, he is seeking an audience with the same people that Jesus would pursue.
He’s also somewhat of a pioneer trying to bring the gospel to a generation more likely to google God than to try and find him at church. I admire his attempt to present Jesus in a way that young people can understand, and yet is also authentic and biblically sound.
This book has challenged me to represent God better inside and outside the church. We can honor his life by responding to the call of Mere Churchianity, and we can make sure that these words find their intended audience somehow.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.