Customer Reviews for Jossey-Bass The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
Jossey-Bass The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
Looking for ways to be a practicing believer apart from the traditional church model? Halter and Smay sought to create communities of faith that remained true to the ancient church traditions but existed on a real-world setting that was assimilated into today's culture. Their model for mission is presented here.
Average Customer Rating:
(6 Reviews) 6
Rating Snapshot (6 reviews)
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1 out of 1100%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
Review 1 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
Overall Rating:
The Kingdom Must Come!
Date:July 13, 2011
Quality:
4
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5
Value:
4
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Meets Expectations:
5
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5
I found this book a difficult read, not because it was hard to understand, but difficult, because it spoke so much of how I and many others struggle with how we "do" church. It seems we make so little difference in our community, neighborhoods, etc. And yet while this book acknowledges some pretty serious concerns about the North American church, it doesn't do a slam dunk, but rather gently, but firmly, makes us aware that indeed all is not well. For those who are willing to consider the tough road of "doing" church the way it was modeled for us in the early church, this can give some solid encouragement and hope in the midst of the situation we face as church in the West.
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Review 2 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
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Date:August 31, 2010
James Connelly
I attend a church that is trying to put into practice many of the principles in this book and found it very challenging to realize how much I have withdrawn from our culture and hung out in our holy huddles letting the world go by. My wife and I are in our late seventies and we have committed ourselves to trying to truly show God's lovethrough our everyday lives to a world we know God loves. This book really helped us understand more of Jesus's life on this earth.
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Review 3 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
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Date:December 4, 2009
Pete
There is a call out there for some not everyone to move into the world in a more tangible way to reveal a Kingdom that is here today.(We are all called to reveal the Kingdom, some are just called more to the frontlines) I believe this call was out there in the O.T. times, the N.T. times and in the call is there still today. Halter and Smay do a very good and balanced job of once again calling the church to be and nothing something to go too. You will be, challenged, angered or edified to keep going forward. If this is one of the messages that just tickled our ears that we are warn will happen in the end times then it did a terrible job because it made me anything but comfortable.
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Review 4 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
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Date:March 11, 2009
the Wright Rev
I too would disagree with the earlier review. To be sure, there are some things in this book that I find disagreeable. However, the main thesis of the book is how we can legitimize the reception of the truth. Please consider the following quotes. In the chapter regarding posture, the author states, "posture represents the attitude of the body, the nonverbal forms of communication that accompany what we say." (p. 39) He then provides applicable illustration to drive home the point. Then he writes, "Posture is important because it can either obscure the message of truth or enhance and pave the way for a clear rendering of the truth." (p. 40) Finally, as the negative reviewer alluded, Halter writes, "The idea of posture helps us realize that truth IS important, but according to Scripture, truth [by itself] is not the only thing or the most important thing. The most important thing is whether or not people are attracted to the truth, drawn into the truth, and able to understand and RECEIVE the truth." (p. 41)Looking to be challenged? READ this book!Thanks Hugh & Matt!
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Review 5 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
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Date:March 5, 2009
vic cuccia
I wholeheartedly disagree with the previous review. One should take it with a grain of salt as quotes are pulled out of context etc. I would go as far as to say that EVERY forward thinking, church planter needs to read this book! Although you may not agree with everything, it will challenge you to rethink traditional paradigms. What Hugh and Matt are doing in CO, looks a whole lot more like the early church than most of what we see in our country today. If you are satisfied with run of the mill American churchianity then don't bother reading this. If you are dissatisfied and long for something more authentic then this is a must read!
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Review 6 for The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
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Date:February 20, 2009
Diane Dekker
The main thesis of this book is that the Word and Christ are in an antithetical relationship, and that given the choice we should follow Christ. He states that "truth is not the only thing or the most important thing. The most important thing is whether or not people are attracted to the truth. Halter believes we can make it attractive if we divorce Jesus from his message. He states, Our main contention is that what drew people to Jesus, surprisingly was not his message. It was him. His message repelled people." Halters solution? I make it a point to ask people not to be evangelistic. I tell them that I dont want them to try to figure out how to share the gospel with strangers.Halter says his program works best with those who are jaded or spiritually disoriented. He filters mature Christians out of his church right from the get-go: Even in my coffee talk withvisitors, I wait to drop the bomb until Ive heard their story. If theyre struggling in faith, have no faith or have been hurt in church, then Im as cordial as Mr. Rogers. But if I discern they have been walking with God a long time, have put in a few thousand hours in church, seem overly religious or more interested in lofty theological debate than in rolling up their sleeves to serve, I get a little more assertive. Before God, I have to protect the missional calling of our church. He tells them, I dont feel any compulsion to feed you spirituallyThis mission probably has nothing to offer you. He fills his church with spiritually disoriented people, but feels no compulsion to feed them spiritually. I give the book one star because when he references scripture, (e.g. the story of the woman caught in adultery), he completely changes the details of the story to make it fit his theology. That is inexcusable.
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