jason evans

... when this is what I get to read?

I was asked today if school was stressing me out. Nope. I'm loving it!

While I was still working with christianaudio, I had the privilege of engineering the audio version of Matt Mikalatos' new book, Imaginary Jesus. Matt narrated the book himself and so I got a chance to hang out with him. He's a funny guy and he happens to be a comic book geek–which you can feel as you read his book (... I meant that as a compliment). Imaginary Jesus is funny, touching and thought-provoking. Our families have been through similar circumstances, so much of the semi-autobiographical content really hit home for me.

When we were done recording the book–and after Matt had the chance to raid the christianaudio warehouse–I drove him to the airport to head back to Portland. I shared with Matt my growing interest in graphic novels (our friend, Matt Aragon–yes, another "Matt"–turned our son into a comic book geek and it's been slowly impacting me–just for the art of course). On the way to the airport, Mikalatos grabbed a piece of paper and scratched out an intense list of comics and graphic novels I needed to look into, for Matty Boy and myself.

After the holidays, I started my research and have been finding some really great stuff due to Matt (thanks, Matt!). But during my search, I came upon a release from Image Comics called, Loaded Bible: 'Jesus vs Vampires' (links on the Image Comics site don't work)–and, no, Matt did not recommend this. Those that know me, know that I have this fascination with vampires... but I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry about this.

When I first read the spine, my immediate reaction was:

"Jesus AND vampires?!"

and then...

"Awesome!"

along with...

"Oh, dear."

In the end, though, it bugs me to see a sword-wielding Jesus. I'm an advocate for peacemaking as a central part of being a Christian. So, the "imaginary" Jesus of Loaded Bible disturbs me because of how violent he is. Is this what happens over time when we drift away from a theology that is informed by the peacemaking work of Jesus? ... Do the Jesus's that we imagine increasingly endorse and enact violence? What would the real Jesus think about this?

Here's a preview of the series, I'm curious to read your thoughts (NOTE: violent still image content-choose wisely who you watch this with):

We Protestant Christians have a funny relationship with ancient texts. Our entire living and understanding of God hinges upon one ancient text, the Bible. Yet at the same time, many of us enjoy taking jabs at those who site “extra-biblical” ancient books. (Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I heard what you said about the Apocrypha.)

Tony Jones addresses one of those unfamiliar, ancient volumes, the Didache (pronounced, di-dah-kay), in his book, The Teaching of the Twelve. The Didache is one of the earliest writings we have of Christians after Pentecost. And as Jones explains, this little book was to be, “a handbook for those new to Christianity.” But what might a book written by and for Christians in the first couple of centuries be of value to Christians today?

Christianity in the West is within the throes of major shifts–amidst the Church and surrounding culture. Within the upheaval, many Christians find themselves agitated by all the hoopla that is church. Why must we do this? Why do we need that?

Simultaneously, there are those that have stripped away all that seems unnecessary, yet find themselves asking, “What now defines us and binds us? And how do we go about our life together?”

For all those unsettled and searching, Jones’ new book brings a fresh, yet age-old perspective to the conversation. As he says, we aren’t the first to find ourselves faced with such challenges:

“Of course, we’re not the first generation to quest after a raw, primitive version of the faith. At various stages over the past two millennia, Christians have questioned the traditions of “church” and “religion” in an effort to follow Jesus more authentically. ... And all along, a manual of primitive Christianity sat hidden, right in front of us.”

In The Teaching of the Twelve, Jones provides intelligent and accessible background, commentary, interpretation and reflection on the Didache. While his book is thoughtful, it is equally practical–just as the text he writes about is.

But the reader is not left with just the opinions of another Christian academic. As Jones writes, he walks alongside a Christian community in Minnesota (Cymbrogi) that has reflected on the Didache for some time. His commentary is paired with that of this rural house church and it’s truck-driving leader, Frank. The inclusion of a contemporary community attempting to interpret and apply this ancient book only makes Jones’ take even more approachable.

I found the Didache to be a refreshingly uncluttered yet challenging reflection. And I'm a bit dissapointed that I haven't been thoroughly exposed to the Didache until now. As Jones says in the first chapter, “The Didache is the most important book you’ve never heard of. ” This may be true for many of us. Today we live with countless options and opportunities, we are never short of information. In the midst of that, following Jesus can become quite complicated. The Teaching of the Twelve encourages us to get “back to the basics.” As Jones says in his Epilogue:

“Our brothers and sisters in the faith who lived in the Didache community call us away from the marginalia that consumes us today. They call us to simple community in which righteous living is taught and expected, sharing life is a way of life, visiting preachers are welcomed but not given any power in the community, baptism and Eucharist are practiced regularly, and Jesus’ return is expected and hoped for. Just a few activities, done well, shaped the Didache community.”

I like that: just a few activities, done well. Is it that simple? It never is. But maybe this little book can help you and your community focus on the essentials in order that a life may grow out of that which can better manage the complications that come along. Pick up Tony’s book and give it a shot. And check what others are saying on the book's blog tour.

Since Deep Church is getting a lot of attention, I thought I'd throw in my two cents... But I'm going to keep it brief.

Jim Belcher does a fine job of bringing to light the shortcomings and strengths of both traditional and emerging models of Christianity in his book, Deep Church. Although, his attempts at posturing a balanced, unbiased approach are lost when it becomes clear that all of his solutions to the weaknesses just happen to be found within the life of his own church. Some will say that the emerging church proponents lose in this book. I'd argue that the real losers are Anabaptists, who get several cheap shots taken throughout the book. That said, this is certainly the most fair critique of both sides, simultaneously, in print right now. If you're hoping for an overview of the emerging church conversation and the concerns of their opponents within the Church, this is the book.

For a more thorough review–and one which I tend to agree with–go check out Chris Smith's at Englewood Review of Books.

So, I've now had two recommendations to read Ivan Illich. I've not read any of his books yet. And Doulos Christou Books is now making, The Church, Change and Development available for free! What have you read by Illich? Good? Bad?

We hadn't planned on going to the Walkabout last night. But since we got home from a family birthday party a little earlier than expected we peaked into Citizen Video to watch The Paddle Boat play a few songs (they are fantastic, by the way). I walked into The Grove, our great little neighborhood gift shop, to say "hi" to someone real quick and saw the book, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations. I'm already reading enough books right now, I know. But I picked it up. I got interested in this book by Clay Shirky after reading Jonny Baker's posts on the "Network of Christ" in which he refers to Shirky's book. They are very good. You can check out Baker's series here, here, here, and here. I only read the first two chapters last night, but I am intrigued. In short (from what I've read so far and gleaned from Baker's assessment), Shirky discusses how people organize themselves in ways that are not dependent upon our typical organizational structures. As an anabaptist, I like this non-hierarchical approach. But one thing that Shirky also seems to be saying is that people associate as they please and at different levels, so get used to it... that's just the way it is now. This is something that Joe Myers talked about in his book, The Search to Belong: Rethinking Intimacy, Community, and Small Groups. This, I'm not sure how I feel about. Again, as an anabaptist, I feel the need for some kind of call to discipleship, a radical ethic. Either way, I'm enjoying the read.

Onto another great blog series I found recently: Magpie Girl has some great posts on starting communities. The posts are practical, feminine (which we need more of) and just plain great. Check 'em out here, here, here and here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! No big plans for our family today. I think I might make some green beer tonight. And then I'll be off to band practice. How about you? Is there anything I should be forewarned about before attempting to make some green beverages?

When considering the day, most of us think about wearing green and consuming green food (and beer). But there is a lot to be learned from St. Patrick and those early Christians among the Celts. I would recommend anyone to pick up George G. Hunter III's, The Celtic Way of Evangelism for a short but insightful overview of the early Christian influence in Ireland. Here are a few things that I find inspiring about Patrick and his early successors, according to Hunter:

• Love of Enemies: Patrick was from England, captured and enslaved by the Celts. He escaped and returned years later to minister to them.
• It's Never Too Late: He returned to Ireland in what was considered at that time, old age.
• Early Environmentalists?: Early Irish Christians had a high appreciation for the natural world and the Creators hand within it.
• Holistic View of Faith: Similarly, the early Christians in Ireland tended towards seeing God's presence everywhere, not just in church buildings.
  
• Urban Community: Rather than start monastic communities outside of town, they started theirs within villages, mixing monks and families together in one community.
• Post[Pre?]-Colonial, Contextual and Unorthodox Ministry: Patrick and others respected the traditions and culture of those they ministered with and did their best to communicate the good news of God in a manner that related to their context–which lead them to be perceived as unorthodox and questioned to be heretical by Rome.