Resurrecting Religion: Finding Our Way Back to the Good News

To find oneself 'between a rock and a hard place' is to be in a situation where one is faced with two equally difficult alternatives. Sometimes the religion of Christ is so polarized, anaesthetized and synthesized that it morphs into something quite repulsive. The sadly laughable meme that some would post on their own image says, "I'm not religious. I am spiritual." Like someone embarrassed by their family name, we have an identity crisis. So Greg Paul, pastor of the Sanctuary in downtown Toronto has something to say about true religion. Of course, it is an echo and study on the implications of the book of James. It may also be that if invited to a LARP event (Live Action Role Play) that Greg would show up as a Jesuit. Not that he is, but that is something he could convincingly become. I enjoy Greg's writing immensely. There is something 'Eugene Peterson-like' in his style. He knows his way around the lexicon and can tell stories that leave me teary-eyed in my chair. Between the rock and hard place of modern religion, there is a middle place that is lush and deeply soft. It is the good news of Jesus being lived out where widows, orphans and strangers are always the guest of honour. It is found with the 'inside out churches' like Sanctuary where Gospel is learned as a second language-- where everyone is a newcomer to God's Kingdom. The last are declared first in the true religion of Jesus. ______________________________________ This book was provided to me at Greg Paul's request. Thank you Greg for considering me as a reviewer and thank you NavPress for sending it. Now, find this beautiful book and buy it. Read slowly and then go for walks with forgotten people.