Alternative to Futility

by D. Elton Trueblood

Elton Trueblood was the professor of philosophy at Earlham who writes about the thoughs that he and his students discussed about the alternative of war. Is peace possibe, and if it is, how so?

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

Published January 1, 1948

Reviews

[Matthew Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might just be my new favorite book outside of the Bible. Think “Letters to the Church” by Francis Chan, but Trueblood writes about the “futile” state of the Church in the 1950’s. He calls disciplined believers to lead it into a better “alternative”: strong, lively, radically Christian fellowship.

It’s scary to think how little has changed since then in the Church, but this book also presents many hopes for us. Trueblood develops his argument well and gives us practical ideas if we will just ACT on them. Highly recommend.

[Tanner Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in the aftermath of World War Two as a proposition for what might save a ruined world. He described the kind of redemptive society committed to a certain kind of discipline under God that can actually make a difference in society-the Fellowship of the Concerned. This is one of the best old books I’ve read recently and should be read by anyone planting a church or wanting to start a serious small group

[Mark Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the final part of a trilogy that Trueblood wrote called the "Trilogy for Our Times". It studies the "new world" as it was shortly after World War II. In this book he outlines what he feels is necessary for our world to awake from the futility of war into " a society of loving souls, set free from the self-seeking struggle for personal prestige and from all unreality".

In a way that makes a Christian in 2014 feel sad, Trueblood talks of the changing of society within the context of the Church. Living in a Post-modern America, where the Church has clearly lost its voice as a cultural leader, this book is a reminder of what Christianity has brought about and what it was intentioned to be. Trueblood offers that there needs to be a spirit of adventure, quoting Alfred North Whitehead that "without adventure civilization is in full decay". He observes that "our world must have in it millions of glorious possibilities which we have not realized".

The solution lies among people who are part of "the true Church" . These would be identified by this: "very well, not whether they love each other; note whether their hearts are quickened by the love of the living God; note whether they show they have the mind of Christ in them. No other credentials are needed." These "redemptive societies" are called on to follow the model of the early Christians in Acts and the guide of the 17th century Quaker communities that sought be be "salt of the earth" seasoning their culture with the living presence of the Good News of the Gospel.

It is absolutely fascinating to see Trueblood lay out a form of community in 1948 that many "contemporary" Christian groups are just discovering and trying to implement in 2014. His thought is well reasoned and extremely well presented. This book speaks a call that is still necessary and gives guidance for how to live in a community that would be an encouraging fellowship of hope.

[Keith Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short work is a quick and insightful read. It was written in the 50's, but addresses problems with the Church and spirituality of today.

[Chunyang Ding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this small book of wisdom appeared on my shelves, but I certainly am very glad to have stumbled upon it. Written in the shadow of WWII, Trueblood sounds a bit like Lewis in the first chapter, reflecting on what drives the human desire for seeking purpose. His comparison of positive versus negative purpose seemed well-reasoned, and his warning bell - that without a strong, moral lighthouse, it would become easier for humanity to fall towards greed - seemed especially prescient.

In the subsequent chapters, his writing would sound current even in today's modern church. He argues that a return to radical Christianity is necessary for the continued viability of the church as a whole. His claim is that it's not sufficient for the church to become a bland, one-size-fits-all endeavor that people feel loosely culturally connected to, but rather a radical embrace of Jesus's teachings and a push for people to live in a stronger community. In order to do so, he embraces increased spiritual disciplines, or more orthodox traditions that tie the community together in a distinctive way, as such habits tended to keep the community stronger especially during times of fear and uncertainty.

Overall, this was a intriguing book that made me think more deeply about the role - and the goal - of the church in the modern age. Certainly, Christian America today is not the same as Christian America of the 1940s, and indeed, many of the divisions and splits between the church that Trueblood warns against have come to pass, many with terrible consequences.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has quickly risen to the top of my list for favorite book ever. The author articulated very well about the formation of a fellowship of believers, a community of the concerned and disciplined, and how to be salt and light in our post-modern world. With applications for church planting, church membership, and small groups that still apply today (70+ years later!), this book is a gem and delightfully stirring to read.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do Christians answer the problems modernism has affected in our fellowships? Trueblood, writing just after the second World War, seeks to answer them with carefully reasoned argument.