Jesus For President

[April Martin]

Has anyone read Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw? Very enlightening!

[Katy Resop]

I haven't read Jesus for President, but I did read The Irresistible Revolution and was incredibly challenged and inspired. It's one of my favorite books! Have you read TIR? ... I'll definitely check out JFP, and maybe I can even finish it pre-election!

[April Martin]

I have read The Irressistible Revolution. It really made me think about how I live, and well how Americans live in general. I have changed many things in my life since reading it, and If you liked The Irresistible Revolution as much as it sounds like you did, then you'll love Jesus for President. Hope you find it and enjoy it.

[Jay]

I did read TIR and it was a big challenge for me. This isn't a poke at the book or Shane (because I am sure he does not feel this way as I asked him!), but it made me feel as though if I were not living in poverty in a homeless shelter or the streets of Calcutta that I was not a good enough Christian. At first this seems like a bad thing to feel, but I wish to say this feeling came honestly and is important. Where do we draw the line in our service? At what point are we giving "enough" to God?

Of course the short answer is that there will never be an "enough". As with the first ascetics in the 10-13th century discovered, if you deny everything you still possess yourself and this does not belong to you. Give up your home, your clothes, your everything, you still have every breath you take. To chase "enough" is to chase the dragon's tail and you will end up eating yourself. It is for us to decide where enough is. This isn't done on our own but is discerned within community. We have to figure out how much we sacrifice to God and probably take one step more so that we feel it. Then we rest all that we have left in the hands of Jesus knowing that he takes our meager offering and makes it enough. For Shane, he is able to take this desire to wonderful distances. For myself, it may mean I give to my own children what Shane gives to others, praying to teach and instill in them a sense of "enough", justice, reasonable sacrifice, a life of worship, and joy in humility. My enough is given in this way and I feel like it is enough.

[Erin Daubert]

I have read "The Irresistible Revolution" too and was really provoked to begin thinking about how I can live as an ordinary radical. I'll have to check out Jesus For President (When I have time in between school reading...!) What are your thoughts of Jesus for President?

[Katy Resop]

I just started reading Jesus for President... finally! I'm in a book club discussing it, and we're starting with Section I tonight. I'm intrigued and inspired thus far!