{"id":6715,"date":"2010-03-13T14:56:26","date_gmt":"2010-03-13T19:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/community\/jesuscreed\/2010\/03\/13\/saturday-afternoon-book-review-jeff-borden\/"},"modified":"2010-03-13T14:56:26","modified_gmt":"2010-03-13T19:56:26","slug":"saturday-afternoon-book-review-jeff-borden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jesuscreed\/2010\/03\/13\/saturday-afternoon-book-review-jeff-borden\/","title":{"rendered":"Saturday Afternoon Book Review: Jeff Borden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

This review comes from Jeff Borden<\/a><\/strong>, who has a fine blog called iCrucified. It is reviews like this that make our Saturday Afternoon spot a witness to the need of a blog to have regular, intelligent contributors (like Jeff) to make it work for all of us.<\/p>\n

\n

Your Church Is Too Small: Why Unity in Christ\u2019s Mission Is Vital to the Future of the Church<\/a>\"\"<\/b><\/p>\n

By: John H. Armstrong; ISBN \u2013 978-0-310-32114-9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Zondervan Publishing<\/p>\n

I became aware of\u00a0Your Church Is Too Small<\/b>\u00a0by way of a recent post on the\u00a0euangelion<\/a>\u00a0blog site. I was intrigued in the highest degree with what I was reading about the premise of the book and immediately began my search for a copy.\u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0informed me the book was not slated to release until April 2010, so I reached out to publisher (Zondervan<\/a>) and author,\u00a0John H. Armstrong<\/a>\u00a0to request a review copy. John was gracious in providing me a prerelease version for an early look.<\/p>\n

While I am sure there will be different and strong opinions from a number of doctrinal positions, my experience with Your Church Is Too Small has been nothing short of exhilarating. In my most humble opinion, this is a very important book. If early reviews were not enough to capture my attention, this following statement from the introduction solidly \u201chooked\u201d me:<\/p>\n

\u201cI will show how your biblical faith is rooted in the living Christian tradition, a tradition found in all the classical historical expressions of the one faith. This one faith is developing in ways we would have never thought possible while we were still indulging in the cultural luxury of seeing other Christians as our enemies\u2026\u201d<\/i>\u00a0~~John Armstrong<\/b>;\u00a0Your Church Is Too Small<\/u><\/p>\n

The challenge was issued; \u201cI will show you\u2026\u201d and I was open to accept it. Let the journey begin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n<\/p>\n


<\/b><\/p>\n

PAST<\/b> (Part 1)<\/i><\/p>\n

Armstrong begins the presentation
\nof his proposal in support of classical Christianity and starts the first
\nchapter with quotations from Robert Webber; \u201cYou can best think about the
\nfuture of the faith after you have gone back to the classical tradition\u201d and
\nKarl Barth; \u201cNo one dare do contemporary theology until they have mastered
\nclassical Christian thought.\u201d The essence of these quotes is captured in
\nArmstrong\u2019s own thesis statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cNew patterns of Christian faith and life
\nare emerging in the church. I welcome these patterns, but I believe they
\ndesperately need to be rooted in the past \u2013 the creeds, the Word of God
\nunderstood as the story of grace, life as a sacramental mystery, and deeply
\nrooted spiritual formation. My thesis is simple: The road to the future must
\nrun through the past\u2026\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

I refer to the above quote as the
\nthesis statement, but I believe the thesis is more appropriately defined as
\n\u201cpresenting a case for the Christian Church; one holy catholic Church: unified
\nin the person and expression of Jesus Christ.\u201d Armstrong sets out to prove this
\nunited expression of Christ\u2019s church is the desire and will of God using the
\nPrayer of Jesus (John 17) as the primary text and basis for his argument. <\/p>\n

The first seven chapters of Your Church is Too Small<\/i> comprise part
\none of the book. In this section, Dr. Armstrong connects quite a few dots to
\nlay a complete foundation for why he believes \u201cunity in Christ\u2019s mission is
\nvital to the future of the church.\u201d Considering the fragmentation of the present
\nexample of Christ\u2019s church, this explanation and establishment of a complete
\nfoundation for his argument is no small task. <\/p>\n

I am not an academic, nor do I
\nhave extensive seminary training in ecclesiology, but the example and effort
\ngiven to \u201cThe Biblical and Historical Basis for Christian Unity\u201d (Part 1) was
\nthorough, understandable, and readable in the sense that it flowed with a
\nlogical progression and the building of ideas to form a very cohesive proposal
\n(at least in my limited understanding and opinion). <\/p>\n

As I have already stated, the
\nprayer of Jesus (John 17) is the basis for Armstrong\u2019s call for Christian
\nunity. This study in Scripture is one of the main pillars of his presentation.
\nThe second pillar is the record and history of the ancient church. The evidence
\nand practice of the historical church provides us with the examples necessary
\nto benchmark our (the modern American church) own progress regarding the
\nmission of God. The result of this \u201cbenchmarking\u201d of the modern church serves
\nas the third pillar and provides the critical assessment of our failure to act
\nas the unified and universal Church as it was prayed for by Jesus in the Gospel
\nof John (chapter 17). <\/p>\n

I think the analysis and
\ndiagnosis, as well as the prognosis and prescription, by John Armstrong are
\naccurate and worth listening to. My opinion might be subjective, but my
\nexperience (supported by data from surveys and polls from organizations like
\nthe Barna Group) agrees with Armstrong\u2019s statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cChristians in America have lost a deep
\nsense of their past, of their collective spiritual roots. As a result, we now
\nsuffer from a kind of spiritual amnesia that hinders our ability to faithfully
\nmove into the future with hope.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Coincidentally, at the time of
\nthis writing, there is a very lively discussion on the Jesus Creed Blog<\/a>
\nof Scot McKnight that lends support to Armstrong\u2019s assertion of the (universal)
\nChurch\u2019s inability to find agreement on some of the most core and longstanding
\nbeliefs in Christendom. <\/p>\n

John\u2019s Journey<\/b><\/p>\n

I appreciated hearing the
\nauthor\u2019s personal testimony and the detailed progression of his belief system
\nbeing challenged and changed through his study, meditation, and willingness to
\nbe open to \u201cuniversal\u201d truth. Dr. Armstrong identifies a couple of these
\npivotal moments coming through his reading of John 17 (the prayer of Jesus) and
\nhis recitation of the Apostle\u2019s Creed. Continuing his journey and conversion
\n<\/i><\/b>(emphasis mine) he found a common footing in the study of classical
\nChristianity and the traditions of the church. Although my own path has been
\ndifferent, I was able to identify closely to John\u2019s testimony as there were
\nseveral commonalities we shared. <\/p>\n

The Mark of a Christian<\/b><\/p>\n

Chapters five through seven mark
\nthe most important points of part one in Your Church is Too Small. They might arguably
\nbe some of the most important chapters in the book in my opinion. It is here
\nthat Dr. Armstrong puts forth the evidence that supports the greatest common
\ndenominator for all Christians; the mark of true Christian love. Scripture
\nreferences are long and deep to support the premise of \u201crelational-unity\u201d that
\nArmstrong purports as the functional oneness that should characterize the body
\nof Christ and all true believers. Other citations include writings from Francis
\nShaeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Kung, Jurgen Moltmann, and Timothy Luke
\nJohnson who help to build a case for relational unity within the sphere of
\nChristian diversity. I continue to process the points addressed in these last
\nthree chapters of section one, especially chapter five, \u201cOur Greatest Apologetic.\u201d
\nIn this particular chapter, Armstrong discusses the detail and differences of
\nunanimity, uniformity, and union; his final assessment is to declare (and
\nrightly I believe) that \u201cthe aim of the early church was the evangelization of
\nthe world. The purpose of their oneness was to be a visible representation of
\nGod\u2019s love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, closing out part one
\n\u201cPast,\u201d the following thoughts are shared concerning tension and conflict:<\/p>\n

\u201cOver time, I have noticed that people tend
\nto stay in relationships and work through their differences when they love each
\nother deeply and are committed to finding solutions\u2026 I\u2019ve noticed that most
\ndivisions in the church are not because of a major doctrinal disagreement; they
\nare the result of a breakdown in our love for one another\u2026\u201d (pp.72-73)<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cA new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,
\nso you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
\ndisciples, if you love one another.\u201d<\/i> ~Jesus<\/b> (John 13:34-45)<\/p>\n

Lord, help us.<\/p>\n

PRESENT<\/b> (Part 2)<\/i><\/p>\n

Restoring unity in the church
\ntoday is the premise and discussion of part two in Your Church is Too Small <\/i>and Armstrong almost immediately asserts
\nthat the Apostle\u2019s Creed is a tool to help us reestablish unity. He goes on to
\ncite Augustine, Luther, and Calvin as strong supporters of the Creed being a
\nunifying bond and teaching tool for all Christians. Dr. Armstrong claims; \u201cWe
\nfind no other document in early church history, apart from the Bible, that
\nserved a greater purpose in uniting Christians in their common faith.\u201d <\/p>\n

In this age of questioning
\neverything and the penchant for deconstruction of most orthodox beliefs, I
\nfound John\u2019s points addressing the need for a confessional basis very
\nappropriate and timely. He proposes that we need a way of grasping the basic
\nintent and message of the Holy Scriptures. I think the questions he poses make
\nexcellent starting points to answer that bigger question. He asks; \u201cWhat did
\nthe first Christians believe and why did they believe it?\u201d And, another very
\ngood question; \u201cBefore there was a completed Bible, how did the church
\nunderstand and confess the living message of Christ?\u201d Great questions I think,
\nand I agree with Armstrong\u2019s assessment and confession as he concludes these
\nthoughts; he writes:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never stand alone when we read and
\ninterpret the Bible. With a grasp of history and tradition, we are able to read
\nthe sacred Scriptures in communion with the \u2018one holy catholic and apostolic
\nchurch.'\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cStudying how the historical church
\nunderstood the Scriptures greatly helped me, but it wasn\u2019t easy. I had to learn
\nto humble myself and truly listen to other voices outside of my cultural and
\ngenerational context. My teachers included Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox
\nChristians.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Beginning with the final
\nparagraphs of chapter eight, the first chapter of section two, Armstrong begins
\nto point the finger at the destroyer of unity, sectarianism<\/i><\/b>. He asserts
\nthat sectarianism is a work of pride and creates an attitude of exclusivity.
\nPersonally, and from my observation, I think his assertion is right on the
\nmark. Chapter nine is used to flesh out the argument for sectarian attitudes
\nbeing the chief cause for disunity in the Church<\/i><\/b> with chapter ten being a
\nwonderfully detailed presentation of data, observation, history, and thesis to
\nsupport his case. I loved the humility and earnestness that Dr. Armstrong
\ndisplays as he shared his thoughts regarding the text from Hebrews 12:14; he
\nconfesses, \u201cAnother text helped me
\ndiscover fresh grace: \u2018Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be
\nholy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.\u2019 I had to ask, \u2018Was my effort
\nto live in peace truly serious?'\u201d<\/i> This is a question we should all be
\nsincere enough to ask ourselves and bold enough to answer honestly\u2026that is, if
\nwe really believe that it was Jesus\u2019 prayer and intent that we be \u201cone\u201d body.<\/p>\n

Following the discourse on
\nsectarianism, the flavor of section two in Your
\nChurch<\/i> turns much more palatable and positive with chapter eleven and
\n\u201cthinking rightly about the church.\u201d It is here that Dr. Armstrong begins to
\nanswer the question: \u201cWhat is the church?\u201d After carefully walking the reader
\nthrough a number of negatives (what the church is not), we arrive at the
\nfollowing conclusion:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe congregation is the church. One local
\ncongregation is as much the church as any other church. But the church is also
\nthe whole of all such congregations throughout the whole earth. So the church
\nis both the local congregation and whole people of God.\u201d<\/i> (p.107)<\/p>\n

Now, that will make some of us
\nsquirm. But, as Armstrong points out, what else are we supposed to do with
\nPaul\u2019s commentary to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:4-6)? I appreciated the diagrams and
\nillustrations from Rex Koivisto\u2019s work in One
\nLord, One Faith<\/i> which helped me to see a visual representation of what it
\nlooks like to be the church working in unison with The Church<\/i>. I think Dr. Armstrong put\u2019s words to Koivisto\u2019s
\nillustrations when he aptly states: \u201cWe
\nare to be the church for them<\/b>, not
\nfor us. We do this best when we begin to recognize the one church in our city.
\nThis concept would radically alter the ministry of almost every congregation I
\nknow if it were put into practice by the leaders.\u201d<\/i> I believe this. I really
\ndo. I cannot help but wonder what would happen in our society (and the global
\ncommunity) if we really started to live as the people of God, followers of
\nJesus Christ, choosing to deny ourselves and respond to our world as ministers
\nof the reconciliation working with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength to
\nrestore the kingdom of God\u2026what if\u2026 (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).<\/p>\n

Chapters twelve and thirteen
\nround out part two, The Present<\/i><\/b>, with thought provoking dialogue concerning the
\nchurch and the kingdom of God and what role our history and tradition have in
\nthe convergence of the two. Although God\u2019s kingdom and providential decree that
\n\u201cit will come\u201d (His Kingdom) is sovereignly ordained, we (the church) are often
\nquick to dismiss and\/or neglect our partnership and role (which is also
\nsovereignly ordained) in its work. This is a shame and I was deeply saddened as
\nI was reminded how far we (the modern church) miss the mark of displaying the
\nglory of our God before the world. Sadly, we spend way too much time, energy,
\nand resources \u201cstraining at gnats and swallowing camels\u201d when we have the
\nability and the mandate to be salt and light to the world. Sigh\u2026I am reminded
\nof Jesus\u2019 remarks to his disciples (Matthew 17:17). I cannot help but think
\nthat we are missing an enormous opportunity to partner in blessing the whole
\nworld through the Body that is Christ\u2019s, His glorious Church.<\/p>\n

Tradition is the tie that binds
\nthe body; it is the objectivity of tradition that keeps us rooted and grounded
\nin the story of God. Our pride and individualism show their bright colors (and
\nignorance) when we denounce tradition and refuse to acknowledge it as the gift
\nthat it truly is. Armstrong presents a wonderful case as he examines four
\ncomponents of Christian tradition: Biblical tradition, tradition in classical
\nChristianity, the role of Scripture in tradition, and the wisdom of the church
\nfathers. The sum of the evidence and examination of tradition\u2019s role is best
\ncaptured in these closing comments by Armstrong:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe result of this schism is a small view
\nof the church and a big view of our own importance<\/i>. We have exalted our
\ninterpretations of the Scripture by boldly proclaiming: \u2018My authority comes
\nonly from the Bible.\u2019 Thankfully, many are waking up to the tragedy of this
\nfalse individualism and are wisely looking for help from the three great
\nclassical Christian traditions and the scores of ancient writers who feed their
\nhunger. This is paleo-orthodoxy, and it drives a growing number of us to
\nembrace a much bigger view of the Church.\u201d (p.130)<\/p>\n

FUTURE<\/b> (Part 3) \u201cThe Missional-Ecumenical Movement\u201d<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

John Armstrong begins this
\nconcluding section of Your Church is Too
\nSmall<\/i> by discussing the nature and definition of the \u201cTrue Church.\u201d He also
\nposes the question whether the \u201cTrue Church\u201d exists at all. The answer, he
\nsays, is \u201cyes;\u201d the True Church does exist\u2026 it is God\u2019s community of people on earth.
\nQuoting Paul, he writes: \u201cThis ideal church is made up of all people everywhere
\n\u2018who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.'\u201d <\/p>\n

Personally, I agree with
\nArmstrong that we need an objective starting point if we are to work toward a
\nbelievable, Biblical, and sustainable unity in the Church. He says the great
\nproblem with the famous dictum: \u201cIn essentials, unity; in non-essentials,
\nfreedom; and in all things charity\u201d there still remains that one Christian\u2019s
\nnon-essential is another\u2019s essential. How true, but we must still find a
\ngrounding point or points to proceed on the path toward Biblical (Love) unity.
\nHe cites Lesslie Newbigin\u2019s convicting remarks below:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world will always, consciously or
\nunconsciously, judge what the church says by what it is. They will interpret
\nthe printed epistle by the living epistle.\u201d (p.139)<\/i><\/p>\n

I continue to wrestle with and
\nprocess the thinking in this final section, especially chapter fifteen. I\u2019m not
\nsure I fully understand the subtle nuances and intricacies of what Dr.
\nArmstrong purports with regard to \u201cfruit inspection\u201d and determining \u201cwho is a
\nreal Christian.\u201d As I said, I\u2019m still processing this chapter (and likely, will
\nbe doing so for some time), so I don\u2019t have a lot to speak on it at this
\njuncture. I will say that some of the questions I am sorting through regard
\nchurch discipline, \u201cwolves in sheep\u2019s clothing,\u201d \u201cwheat and tares,\u201d and whether
\nor not (and how) \u201cjudgment and\/or fruit
\ninspection<\/i>\u201d precludes discipline\u2026there are more questions, but these are
\ndominating my thoughts rather prominently at the moment. Suffice it to say,
\nthis is a very thought-provoking chapter; at least it is for me.<\/p>\n

Chapters sixteen through eighteen
\ndiscuss the missional-ecumenical paradigm that Armstrong hints at throughout
\nthe book. It is here that he really spends some time and focus developing the
\nheart of his passion; additionally, he shares his mentors and some of the more
\nsignificant influences that have helped him formulate this missional-ecumenical
\nparadigm.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

I mentioned that I first became
\naware of Your Church is Too Small<\/i>
\nfrom a review by Michael Bird on the euangelion<\/a>
\nblog site. He brings to light a repeated point and call by Armstrong to return
\nto paleo-orthodoxy as a springboard toward unity. I think Michael Bird captured
\nthis call very well, so rather than repeat it myself I will share his thoughts
\nhere. Michael writes the following:<\/p>\n

A recurring theme is that unity is important
\nfor our mission and also the necessity of returning to our ancient roots.
\nArmstrong\u2019s recipe for trying to achieve that is sevenfold: (1) Cultivating a
\ncommitment to restore the sacraments; (2) increasing our appetite to know more
\nabout the ancient church; (3) express love for the whole church and desire to
\nsee the church become one; (4) blend practices of worship, devotion, and prayer
\nfrom all three streams of the Church (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant); (5)
\nincrease interest in integrating more liturgical depth and structure with
\nspontaneity and freedom in the Holy Spirit; (6) provide greater involvement in
\nsigns and symbols of worship such as crosses, banners, and clerical vestments;
\nand (7) continue a commitment to personal salvation, solid biblical teaching,
\nand the ministry of the Holy Spirit.<\/i><\/p>\n

I was greatly inspired by the
\nexamples and resultant fruit that was shared by communities that are practicing
\nthis spirit of missional-ecumenism. Personally, I long for this type of
\ncommunity. I stand in the camp with those who agree that One Church is what the
\nLord has intended for His people.<\/p>\n

The final chapter is Armstrong\u2019s
\nconcluding thoughts and prayer for the Church. I not only agree with his
\nthesis, but have been refreshed and inspired to press on in pursuit of the
\nvision. As I said in my opening statement, I believe this is a very important
\nbook. It raises many questions (some of which I am still working through
\nmyself), and prompts us to do some serious examination of our own hearts and
\nambition. I am reminded of something I read from Dietrich Bonhoeffer\u2019s book Life Together<\/i> where he proposes that
\nmany of us (Christians) are in love with our own version of God\u2019s Church\u2026we
\nfight tooth and nail for it, but our version is not the Vision of God for His
\nChurch (my paraphrase). We build idols from our beliefs and destroy each other
\nin the process of worshiping those beliefs over the God whom we claim to be
\nserving. I am thankful for this book. I am sure I will be referring to it and
\nthe well documented resources and bibliography. I think is should be read by
\npastors and lay leaders alike. Armstrong includes a few discussion questions at
\nthe end of each chapter that are helpful to kick-off\u00a0 <\/span>conversations if a group or leadership team wanted to read
\nthe book together. <\/p>\n

Disturb us, Lord\u2026 disturb us from
\nour idols and disturb us from being idle. Disturb us, O Lord, indeed. <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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