Jesus Brand Spirituality: He Wants His Religion Back

by Ken Wilson

"Jesus wants his religion back.so it can be for the world again" So begins this expertly written book by Ken Wilson, a pastor, practitioner and pilgrim to engage those drawn to the fascinating figure buried in the messy field of religion. Jesus Brand Spirituality is for those disillusioned by the current swirl of cultural conflict, moralism, and religious meanness that amounts to a form of trademark infringement on the movement that bears his name. Combining candor, curiosity and rare insight, the author explores four dimensions of the spirituality Jesus left in his wake--active, contemplative, biblical, and communal. Practical, engaging and compelling, this fresh illumination of an ancient path is both moving and thought provoking. Phyllis Tickle, founding editor of the Religion Department at Publisher's weekly calls Wilson "one of America's most gifted evangelicals, a thoughtful, unflinching pastor for thinking Christians; but he has outdone even his own reputation here. Candid, confessional, and full of stories, these conversational chapters from a man enthralled with Jesus are shot through with the passion and the realism of an eternally-vital romance."

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Theology

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2007

Reviews

[Tinomutenda Mpunganyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read on putting Christ back into Christianity. Ken's delivery of each concept was clear and very practical. I loved the analogy of the Five Acts of the Bible and how it's just a love story of God's love for His creation. This book prompted me to think about God outside of the dimensions we can perceive as humans and got me questioning what Christian spirituality is and how it applies to my everyday life.

~

Ken splits Christ's spirituality into 4 dimensions and I believe these must apply to our lives as well since we always ask, "What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD)":

Active Dimension

Jesus was an activist. The way He cared about social justice and stood up for the rights of His people shows how much His love was very active and He made actual moves towards making the lives of people around Him better. Even the way He healed was active - think about the blind man who He sent to go wash his eyes in the Pool of Siloam.

Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? (John 9: 6b-8, NIV)

Jesus not only did an action to heal the man Himself but He also commanded the man to actively be part of his own healing.

Jesus' spirituality was active. Not passive.

Contemplative Dimension

Jesus was in the habit of sleeping in places He should have probably been awake. He also prayed in quiet places a lot - in meditation and contemplation. His mysticism, though we don't think about it using that word, was a key part of how He intentionally connected with His Father and Himself by looking inside Himself. New Age religions have kinda put off Christians when it comes to the topic of meditation – I grew up believing yoga was 'dangerous' to my spirituality as a Christian because I could tap into the 'wrong' spiritual dimension and well, that's possible but, when it comes to meditative practices for both your mental health and connecting with God through looking inside yourself, His creation, I think it's a necessity. Jesus does too.

Biblical Dimension

Joshua 1:8 tells us to,

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God in human form, was no exception to this rule. He studied the scriptures diligently and whenever He spoke, He spoke the Word and in His words, we find a new understanding of the Book of the Law, His favourite. Jesus came to fulfil the Law and He made sure we learn to appreciate the meaning between the lines and practice a fair spirituality that is guided by the Spirit of God.

Communal Dimension

Humans are social beings and Jesus believed in community and built one around Him. If we exclude our church communities from our faith, we will not be able to tap into that collective understanding and experience of God that only comes through gathering with others in His name.

[Wally Segieda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful look into Christianity

Ken Wilson is a brilliant thinker and speaker. His insight into following Jesus will raise as many questions as it answers. I wish he would write more frequently.

[Mark Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK book...the title may be the best part of the book. It is a sincere effort but lacks new ideas or concepts. If you haven't considered the Christian faith in the context of modern culture, this book would be a good starting point.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took forever to read. I wish I knew why. Littered with liberal theology that I struggled to relate to, it did have nuggets of wisdom. If you want a small book to carry in your purse to read as you wait for whatnot, this may be one.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved his ideas. writing was okay and occasionally distracting. wish i could have heard him speak instead of read it. i will definitely revisit this book... extremely helpful in content.

[Lana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author talks way to much about his own experiences. It's quite frustrating and irritating.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!