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Different Eyes: The Art of Living Beautifully
We have a need today to free up the Church in its ability think through and debate its ethical responses to contemporary issues. How do we think about and respond to the issues of crime, punishment and rehabilitation, consumerism - money, banks, economics and bonuses, war and peace making, euthanasia and assisted dying, same sex relationships. etc.‘We can only act within the world we can envision…. We do not come to see merely by looking, but must develop disciplined skills through initiation into that community that attempts to live faithfully to the story of God…by learning to be faithful disciples, we are more able to see the world as it is.’ Stanley Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom. Ethics provide the cultural and moral framework in which we live our whole lives. Our ethics are like the air we breathe, and though for the most part they go unnoticed, our lives and communities depend on them. But Christian ethics are distinctive. They are not just anyone’s ethics. Indeed, if the Christian vision is not distinct from other moral frameworks, then what is so special about Christ and our story? For many, Jesus has simply become nothing more than a ‘personal’ and ‘private’ motivator to the same common ideals, which are shared by all. So, how do we live distinctively in a time of uncertainty? How do we see the world through the eyes of Christ? What tools do we need for the complex choices that confront us, in order to live well; to live Christ centred lives in the 21st century? This book provides this kind of help in a clearly, written accessible style with discussion questions making this useful for small-group use.
- GenresNonfiction
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2010
About the author
Steve Chalke
73 books21 followersSteve Chalke is a British Baptist minister, social entrepreneur, author, and speaker widely recognized for his work in promoting social inclusion and justice. He is the founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, an organization he launched in 1985 with the vision of building inclusive communities where everyone is valued and empowered. Under his leadership, Oasis has become one of the UK's largest charities, operating across a wide spectrum of services including housing, healthcare, education, and youth and community development—both in the UK and internationally.
Chalke's commitment to education is reflected in his founding of Oasis Community Learning, a multi-academy trust responsible for over 40 schools throughout England. The trust seeks to support not just academic achievement, but whole-community transformation through education. He also serves as the founding minister of Oasis Church Waterloo in central London, a place of welcome and inclusion for people of all backgrounds.
In 2006, Chalke launched Stop the Traffik, a global coalition working to end human trafficking through awareness, education, and systemic change. The organization has mobilized tens of thousands of activists in nearly 100 countries. His work in this field led to his appointment as a United Nations Special Adviser on Human Trafficking.
As an author, Chalke has written extensively on theology, faith, and social justice. His notable books include The Lost Message of Jesus, Apprentice: Walking the Way of Christ, and The Lost Message of Paul, among others. He has also written numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on topics related to spirituality, ethics, and public life.
In recognition of his tireless efforts, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to social inclusion and has received multiple honorary degrees and fellowships. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most sponsorship money raised by an individual marathon runner, having raised over £2.3 million during the London Marathon.
Throughout his career, Steve Chalke has consistently challenged societal norms and church traditions in pursuit of compassion, equality, and justice, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary British Christianity.
Chalke's commitment to education is reflected in his founding of Oasis Community Learning, a multi-academy trust responsible for over 40 schools throughout England. The trust seeks to support not just academic achievement, but whole-community transformation through education. He also serves as the founding minister of Oasis Church Waterloo in central London, a place of welcome and inclusion for people of all backgrounds.
In 2006, Chalke launched Stop the Traffik, a global coalition working to end human trafficking through awareness, education, and systemic change. The organization has mobilized tens of thousands of activists in nearly 100 countries. His work in this field led to his appointment as a United Nations Special Adviser on Human Trafficking.
As an author, Chalke has written extensively on theology, faith, and social justice. His notable books include The Lost Message of Jesus, Apprentice: Walking the Way of Christ, and The Lost Message of Paul, among others. He has also written numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on topics related to spirituality, ethics, and public life.
In recognition of his tireless efforts, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to social inclusion and has received multiple honorary degrees and fellowships. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most sponsorship money raised by an individual marathon runner, having raised over £2.3 million during the London Marathon.
Throughout his career, Steve Chalke has consistently challenged societal norms and church traditions in pursuit of compassion, equality, and justice, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary British Christianity.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2015
About a year and a half ago I read all of Shane Claiborn books which led me on an extraordinary journey of my heart. When I read, I listen to the response of my heart to the words.
This book is a continuation of that journey and one I'm thankful to have come across. I have lost a lot of confidence in the modern church's ability to convey a Christian message of hope, love and faith. It seems to preach mega-churches (bigger and bigger is better) with coffee bars and entertainment where no-one knows anyone.
Steve Chalke has put his faith into action and actually loves people to Christ in a very non-invasive way. I find myself responding to this kind of Christianity.
There are some area's left to the reader to think about and come to their own conclusions but in all... I believe Steve is on the right track here.
This book is a continuation of that journey and one I'm thankful to have come across. I have lost a lot of confidence in the modern church's ability to convey a Christian message of hope, love and faith. It seems to preach mega-churches (bigger and bigger is better) with coffee bars and entertainment where no-one knows anyone.
Steve Chalke has put his faith into action and actually loves people to Christ in a very non-invasive way. I find myself responding to this kind of Christianity.
There are some area's left to the reader to think about and come to their own conclusions but in all... I believe Steve is on the right track here.
September 25, 2019
Really thought provoking book about living life in following Christ but not in a rule book way.
On the actual ethical issues specifically mentioned like war, I would have valued more written on these. That said, the two letter approach for each issue and discussion questions that follow are well worth engaging with.
It is a book I will return to
On the actual ethical issues specifically mentioned like war, I would have valued more written on these. That said, the two letter approach for each issue and discussion questions that follow are well worth engaging with.
It is a book I will return to
July 15, 2018
Very detailed study of the Bible that deals with modern day issues.
April 17, 2010
This book review may also be found on www.thispilgrimland.com
As I finished the Zondervan publication discussed in this post, I was left with a feeling of confusion. I felt like I knew what Steve Chalke and Alan Mann were trying to say in their new book Different Eyes: The Art of Living Beautifully, but I can’t say that I ever read in the book what I felt they were pushing toward. I still could not tell you if this was a book about moralism, social justice/gospel, or a call to Christianity. This book literally rides a fence and I am not sure which side it fell on.
I believe the point that the authors are trying to make is laid out in a sentence about midway through the book. The authors tell the reader that indeed, the world points towards Christians and says that we are only one way of many. Still though, for the Christian to live a beautiful life, he or she must understand this as fact but at the same time know in their heart that they are part of the only true way. As a Christian, that is what we have to believe and by doing so, by looking at Christ as our example of living righteously, the Christian is led to respond correctly to any situation they are asked to handle. I agree with the authors in this thinking as well as their approach that the law given by God is not what many legalistic and authoritative teachers make it out to be.
Still though, the authors flirt heavily with Emergent thinking in regard to validating not only other religions and their errors, but also in providing support that there does exist moral relativity. That, I suppose is what confused this reader the most. The authors firmly establish that the Christian code of ethics (I don’t agree with that term necessarily but that is how the book addresses Christian works) is the only way for the world to return to God, but simultaneously tear down this belief in not so clear terms. Granted, I may have missed the point in the earlier chapters of the book, which in and of itself seems to be a problem. The final criticism of this book will be this: there is little scripture provided to support their ideas. While writing about the problems related with the Enlightenment and the faith that man now puts in himself, the author writes the book from an enlightened perspective, citing more man then Bible. Again, this is a personal preference and I do feel that if and when I take the time to discern this book with my Bible in hand, I will find that many of the points made are supported in scripture.
As this book dwindled down, I was losing hope. Then I get to the section in which the author discussed the role of community in the church. While I would not recommend buying this book, I would suggest that if the opportunity arises for you to finger through this book, you read pages 112-116A. The writing here about the church and our slip into allowing one another to slip into non beautiful ways of living as long as you show up for church on Sunday is completely correct and needs to be read by many Christians, especially Christian men, that I know. Accountability is important.
As I said before, I couldn’t recommend this book for purchase to anyone because I can not put my finger on exactly what the point of this book is. The authors drift in and out from strong believers in scriptures authority in the life of the believer. I believe though that the heart of their message is a very good one, just not one that was particularly edifying to me.
As I finished the Zondervan publication discussed in this post, I was left with a feeling of confusion. I felt like I knew what Steve Chalke and Alan Mann were trying to say in their new book Different Eyes: The Art of Living Beautifully, but I can’t say that I ever read in the book what I felt they were pushing toward. I still could not tell you if this was a book about moralism, social justice/gospel, or a call to Christianity. This book literally rides a fence and I am not sure which side it fell on.
I believe the point that the authors are trying to make is laid out in a sentence about midway through the book. The authors tell the reader that indeed, the world points towards Christians and says that we are only one way of many. Still though, for the Christian to live a beautiful life, he or she must understand this as fact but at the same time know in their heart that they are part of the only true way. As a Christian, that is what we have to believe and by doing so, by looking at Christ as our example of living righteously, the Christian is led to respond correctly to any situation they are asked to handle. I agree with the authors in this thinking as well as their approach that the law given by God is not what many legalistic and authoritative teachers make it out to be.
Still though, the authors flirt heavily with Emergent thinking in regard to validating not only other religions and their errors, but also in providing support that there does exist moral relativity. That, I suppose is what confused this reader the most. The authors firmly establish that the Christian code of ethics (I don’t agree with that term necessarily but that is how the book addresses Christian works) is the only way for the world to return to God, but simultaneously tear down this belief in not so clear terms. Granted, I may have missed the point in the earlier chapters of the book, which in and of itself seems to be a problem. The final criticism of this book will be this: there is little scripture provided to support their ideas. While writing about the problems related with the Enlightenment and the faith that man now puts in himself, the author writes the book from an enlightened perspective, citing more man then Bible. Again, this is a personal preference and I do feel that if and when I take the time to discern this book with my Bible in hand, I will find that many of the points made are supported in scripture.
As this book dwindled down, I was losing hope. Then I get to the section in which the author discussed the role of community in the church. While I would not recommend buying this book, I would suggest that if the opportunity arises for you to finger through this book, you read pages 112-116A. The writing here about the church and our slip into allowing one another to slip into non beautiful ways of living as long as you show up for church on Sunday is completely correct and needs to be read by many Christians, especially Christian men, that I know. Accountability is important.
As I said before, I couldn’t recommend this book for purchase to anyone because I can not put my finger on exactly what the point of this book is. The authors drift in and out from strong believers in scriptures authority in the life of the believer. I believe though that the heart of their message is a very good one, just not one that was particularly edifying to me.
April 16, 2010
Full review at http://bookwi.se/different-eyes-the-a...
Short review: This is a great introduction to the idea of Christian ethics. It is similar in theme to NT Wright's After You Believe. It is not as dense as NT Wright and is much more of an introduction to the topic (instead of a "how to develop virtue" book) it is quite good at that goal.
The main part I did not like was the attempt at showing different sides of thorny issues (homosexuality, just war, capitalism, euthanasia.) I did not think that the issues were really given enough weight. They were 1 to 2 page letters, and did not really address the strongest arguments of their own side or the real issues of the other side.
Short review: This is a great introduction to the idea of Christian ethics. It is similar in theme to NT Wright's After You Believe. It is not as dense as NT Wright and is much more of an introduction to the topic (instead of a "how to develop virtue" book) it is quite good at that goal.
The main part I did not like was the attempt at showing different sides of thorny issues (homosexuality, just war, capitalism, euthanasia.) I did not think that the issues were really given enough weight. They were 1 to 2 page letters, and did not really address the strongest arguments of their own side or the real issues of the other side.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews