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The Jesus Community
A sequel to The Jesus Proposal. We now live in a world tired of debate, wearied of Christianity and church as a system of beliefs to be argued rather than a shared life to be lived. Following up on their popular book The Jesus Proposal, the authors propose a form of church life that releases Christians from institutional intimidation and emboldens us for body life under our one head. They How does a church live out 'the Jesus Proposal'? What will it look like? How can we close the distance between our idealized vision of God s universal church and our often-disappointing particular experiences of church?
230 pages
First published January 1, 2004
3 people want to read
About the author
Rubel Shelly
58 books7 followersDr. Rubel Shelly is an author, minister, and professor Lipscomb University. He is the former president of Rochester College.
Shelly began as an instructor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Freed-Hardeman University in 1975. In 1978, Shelly began preaching as Senior Minister for the Family of God at Woodmont Hills, formerly known as the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, in Nashville, Tennessee where he continued until 2005. While preaching at Woodmont Hills, he also taught at Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. From 1979 to 1980 while he worked to complete his graduate work at Vanderbilt University, he served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Philosophy. From 1981 to 1983, he was an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Lipscomb University. In 1986, while continuing his education at Vanderbilt University, he taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Medical Ethics) until 1988. From 2000 to 2004, he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tennessee State University.
When he stepped down from the pulpit in 2005, he began teaching again as a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Rochester College, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He was named the President of Rochester College in May 2009. He also currently serves as a co-minister for the Bristol Road Church of Christ in Flint, Michigan. In late 2012, Shelly announced that he would be stepping from his role as President at Rochester College by September 2013.
He is known primarily as a preacher. Shelly has been involved in debates and academic lectures on Christian apologetics, ethics, and medical ethics. Shelly has also served with such groups as the AIDS Education Committee of the American Red Cross.
He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.
Shelly began as an instructor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Freed-Hardeman University in 1975. In 1978, Shelly began preaching as Senior Minister for the Family of God at Woodmont Hills, formerly known as the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, in Nashville, Tennessee where he continued until 2005. While preaching at Woodmont Hills, he also taught at Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. From 1979 to 1980 while he worked to complete his graduate work at Vanderbilt University, he served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Philosophy. From 1981 to 1983, he was an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Lipscomb University. In 1986, while continuing his education at Vanderbilt University, he taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine (Medical Ethics) until 1988. From 2000 to 2004, he was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tennessee State University.
When he stepped down from the pulpit in 2005, he began teaching again as a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Rochester College, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He was named the President of Rochester College in May 2009. He also currently serves as a co-minister for the Bristol Road Church of Christ in Flint, Michigan. In late 2012, Shelly announced that he would be stepping from his role as President at Rochester College by September 2013.
He is known primarily as a preacher. Shelly has been involved in debates and academic lectures on Christian apologetics, ethics, and medical ethics. Shelly has also served with such groups as the AIDS Education Committee of the American Red Cross.
He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 25, 2019
In this 'theology of relational faith' Shelly & York build upon their earlier book, 'The Jesus Proposal.' This book speaks to what church is supposed to look like, and the authors focus on the avenues of worship, love, encouragement, and outreach, with the gospel of Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the guides for what this looks like.
It's not a perfect book. It could have been edited down by probably 20%, and at times it appeals to an audience of people who already agree with their conclusions and perhaps (gently) belittles those who aren't as clear-minded as they think themselves to be. Straw men abound in this book. But in general it is a solid book that still holds up almost 20 years after it was published as it speaks to how things really oughta be and how the church can get there.
It's not a perfect book. It could have been edited down by probably 20%, and at times it appeals to an audience of people who already agree with their conclusions and perhaps (gently) belittles those who aren't as clear-minded as they think themselves to be. Straw men abound in this book. But in general it is a solid book that still holds up almost 20 years after it was published as it speaks to how things really oughta be and how the church can get there.
July 16, 2008
God has not forsaken his church and people like Shelly and York are thoughtfully reminding us that we must not forsake the church.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews