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A review by rjvrtiska
The Irresistible Revolution: Living As An Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne, Shane Claiborne
5.0
Sincere and earnest. Challenging and inviting. Simple and sometimes overly simplistic. This book has been in my TBR pile for a long time, and I’ve occasionally followed Shane’s ministry over the years, as he connects with some of the same Christian peace ministries I do.
His message and experiences are important. This book is 15 years old now, and I’ll look for some updates. For example, what is his response to the backlash about privileged Americans going on short-term work missions to developing nations where they are more of a burden than a help? Relationship building with oppressed and attacked people around the world is always important, but very few people have the resources available to travel internationally to build community without putting a burden on those they’re trying to help.
His group in inner city Philadelphia is doing important and Christ-honoring work. I wonder, however, about their thoughts around current conversations about gentrification and white savior complexes. His dismissal of concern about personal safety comes off a bit glib as a young, white male. I hope there are deeper discussions about what it looks like for a woman to decide to sleep on the streets at night. What does it look like for a man of color to repeatedly risk imprisonment in the American system? How are families with children in the community thinking through their children’s education when moving into neighborhoods with neglected and failing public schools?
I really appreciated his mention of getting to the deeper roots of issues like poverty. The statistics about his claims that church building projects don’t increase giving to those in need would be a valuable addition to his discussion, if only because I’ve only heard the opposite (self-serving) information put forward.
My questions and challenges are sincere, and I trust that these matters and others have been deeply considered by Shane and his community.
The audio version was a pleasure to listen to. Shane’s recording lends credence to his thoughts. Like any reader with a legitimate southern accent, I spent some time enjoying the melody of his voice...then increased the speed of the audiobook. :)
His message and experiences are important. This book is 15 years old now, and I’ll look for some updates. For example, what is his response to the backlash about privileged Americans going on short-term work missions to developing nations where they are more of a burden than a help? Relationship building with oppressed and attacked people around the world is always important, but very few people have the resources available to travel internationally to build community without putting a burden on those they’re trying to help.
His group in inner city Philadelphia is doing important and Christ-honoring work. I wonder, however, about their thoughts around current conversations about gentrification and white savior complexes. His dismissal of concern about personal safety comes off a bit glib as a young, white male. I hope there are deeper discussions about what it looks like for a woman to decide to sleep on the streets at night. What does it look like for a man of color to repeatedly risk imprisonment in the American system? How are families with children in the community thinking through their children’s education when moving into neighborhoods with neglected and failing public schools?
I really appreciated his mention of getting to the deeper roots of issues like poverty. The statistics about his claims that church building projects don’t increase giving to those in need would be a valuable addition to his discussion, if only because I’ve only heard the opposite (self-serving) information put forward.
My questions and challenges are sincere, and I trust that these matters and others have been deeply considered by Shane and his community.
The audio version was a pleasure to listen to. Shane’s recording lends credence to his thoughts. Like any reader with a legitimate southern accent, I spent some time enjoying the melody of his voice...then increased the speed of the audiobook. :)