What do you think?
Rate this book
Mud and the Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself and Others through the Eyes of Jesus
Why were sinners so attracted to Jesus yet repelled by the religious? It had everything to do with the heart of Jesus. They sensed that Jesus was for them--not against them. When broken, sinful people feel repelled by Christians, we must assess whether our hearts reveal the heart of God or reflect the heart of the Pharisees. Through this engaging study of Jesus's encounters with imperfect people, combined with real-life stories of ordinary people having Christlike impact, readers will learn how to show unshockable love toward those around them.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2013
15 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 28, 2014
This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café (jacobscafe.blogspot.com).
One of the biggest complaints non-Christians have about Christians is feeling like they're being condemned. Many Christians feel the need to call out sin and remind people of how fallen they are prior to telling them about the love of Christ. I've discussed my perspective before, strongly disagreeing with this viewpoint, instead advocating for the importance of encouraging people and helping them feel valued.
John Burke's newest book, Mud and the Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself and Others Through the Eyes of Jesus argues a similar perspective. Burke's basic thesis is that there is mud covering the masterpiece that is humanity, created in the image of God. We often put too much focus on the mud, sometimes discarding the masterpiece that has been covered. Instead, we need to recognize the masterpiece, focusing on restoring the beauty of God's work of art rather than on how ugly the mud looks.
Burke does a wonderful job of providing support of this approach through biblical references and powerful anecdotes. Since he narrates the audiobook version, you can hear the authenticity of his words. His approach to building community and moving people toward Christ is right on in my mind.
What may surprise some people who may think this grace-filled approach is only for liberals is that Burke has pretty traditionally conservative evangelical values. They come out through his anecdotes, but unlike some of his more notorious colleagues, he's not heavy-handed. He doesn't shove these values down anyone's throat from what I heard. Also absent was any form of guilt, shame, or condemnation. If more people who shared his worldview approached others in his way, there would be far more growth in Christian churches.
But that's where my criticism of the books lies: It's primarily focused on reaching the non-Christians and bringing them into relationship with Christ. And it is an excellent book for that. But the basic principle of the text is so important for Christians lifelong. This is also where many churches fall short--they do a wonderful job of getting people in the door, but continuing to support their development is a major challenge and shortfall, as I've previously discussed.
At one point, Burke bemoans the stagnant immaturity of many Christians in churches, but then doesn't connect his incredibly important arguments to this problem. Even a chapter or two could have been applied to noting how calling out the masterpiece of people can continue to help people's spiritual formation. Perhaps Burke hasn't consciously applied this theme to that area yet.
All in all, this is a meaningful book with a very strong message. Indeed, recognizing the masterpiece of God's work is central to the Gospel, and Burke aptly demonstrates the power of this message on people's lives.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
One of the biggest complaints non-Christians have about Christians is feeling like they're being condemned. Many Christians feel the need to call out sin and remind people of how fallen they are prior to telling them about the love of Christ. I've discussed my perspective before, strongly disagreeing with this viewpoint, instead advocating for the importance of encouraging people and helping them feel valued.
John Burke's newest book, Mud and the Masterpiece: Seeing Yourself and Others Through the Eyes of Jesus argues a similar perspective. Burke's basic thesis is that there is mud covering the masterpiece that is humanity, created in the image of God. We often put too much focus on the mud, sometimes discarding the masterpiece that has been covered. Instead, we need to recognize the masterpiece, focusing on restoring the beauty of God's work of art rather than on how ugly the mud looks.
Burke does a wonderful job of providing support of this approach through biblical references and powerful anecdotes. Since he narrates the audiobook version, you can hear the authenticity of his words. His approach to building community and moving people toward Christ is right on in my mind.
What may surprise some people who may think this grace-filled approach is only for liberals is that Burke has pretty traditionally conservative evangelical values. They come out through his anecdotes, but unlike some of his more notorious colleagues, he's not heavy-handed. He doesn't shove these values down anyone's throat from what I heard. Also absent was any form of guilt, shame, or condemnation. If more people who shared his worldview approached others in his way, there would be far more growth in Christian churches.
But that's where my criticism of the books lies: It's primarily focused on reaching the non-Christians and bringing them into relationship with Christ. And it is an excellent book for that. But the basic principle of the text is so important for Christians lifelong. This is also where many churches fall short--they do a wonderful job of getting people in the door, but continuing to support their development is a major challenge and shortfall, as I've previously discussed.
At one point, Burke bemoans the stagnant immaturity of many Christians in churches, but then doesn't connect his incredibly important arguments to this problem. Even a chapter or two could have been applied to noting how calling out the masterpiece of people can continue to help people's spiritual formation. Perhaps Burke hasn't consciously applied this theme to that area yet.
All in all, this is a meaningful book with a very strong message. Indeed, recognizing the masterpiece of God's work is central to the Gospel, and Burke aptly demonstrates the power of this message on people's lives.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 27, 2023
suosittelen🙌 ihanasti korostaa rakkauden tärkeyttä ja tapaa kohdata muita❤️
October 20, 2014
This book has changed how I view church and what my role is in it, as well as how I approach trying to grow a church. Lord help us, give me the strength to change. I would recommend this book to you only with this caveat; be prepared to stretch your thinking and your disciple making ideas. READ THIS BOOK!
September 2, 2020
I loved the approach to living life together. Creating connections, living out faith in small groups and community. I was turned off by the tone of anti-LGBTQ underneath some of the stories (talking about how people were rescued from an LGBTQ lifestyle), that made me want to quit reading. I persisted because while I am fully supportive of the inclusion of LTBTQ persons in our community of faith, the methods of community and faith network building presented seem effective no matter your perspective.
November 20, 2017
Fantastisk. Tror det är är den enda jag bedömt med 5 stjärnor. Läs den, förundras, begrunda, förvandlas och hjälp andra förvandlas.
February 28, 2015
As a staunch atheist for most of my life, my willful exposure to anything Christian has been limited. A spiritual awakening - which caught me by surprise! - sparked a desire to know more about Christianity. A friend sent me The Mud and the Masterpiece. This book was my first introduction to Jesus Christ as he is viewed, loved, and worshipped by his followers, It dispelled a lot of (mostly negative) misapprehensions I had about Christianity. In The Mud and the Masterpiece I found a view of Jesus that inspires hope, not dread. I also encountered the idea that I can start where I am; I don't have to be perfect already to approach God through Jesus. My only reservation with the book is the implication that homosexuality is a kind of sickness that religion can cure; I don't agree with that stance. That said, I recommend The Mud and the Masterpiece to anyone who is new to Christianity and looking to learn more about Jesus.
April 10, 2014
Excellent!! A great reminder to look at each other through the eyes of Jesus..seeing beyond the flaws, brokenness, and seeing a glimpse of the Masterpiece that is hidden within all of us. I believe that each day and our rubbing shoulders with one another would be more wholesome, if we looked at one another more with this approach!
May 14, 2013
Had really challenging perspectives. Got lost with all of his categories for Christian growth within a church.
September 19, 2013
this book changed my life.
December 25, 2013
I think this book has an important message about being an authentic Christian and Church. I read it in small pieces - to have time to reflect on questions raised in the book.
July 6, 2014
Wow - this book will change the way you look at people. Seeing myself and others through the eyes of Jesus. Highly recommend!
Read
October 2, 2014A bit repetitive, but the message is a good one, reminding us just how we should think of ourselves and other people in the light of the work of Christ.
April 18, 2015
We were all created by the same maker who considers us all masterpieces. We need to see others as Christ sees us. Treat everyone like they have value, no matter their appearance or lifestyle. :)
June 17, 2015
well written
September 1, 2014
What a well written and enlightening reminder to how we should see the world to whom we minister
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews