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Intrusive God, Disruptive Gospel: Encountering the Divine in the Book of Acts
This engaging book guides readers through one of the most colorful books of the Bible, illuminating passages from Acts that show the Christian gospel expressing itself through the lives, speech, struggles, and adventures of Jesus’s followers. The book emphasizes the disruptive character of the Christian gospel and shows how Acts repeatedly describes God as upsetting the status quo by changing people’s lives, society’s conventions, and our basic expectations of what’s possible. Suited for individual and group study, this book by a New Testament scholar with a gift for popular communication asks serious questions and eschews pat answers, bringing Acts alive for contemporary reflection on the character of God, the challenges of faith, and the church.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
29 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Matthew L. Skinner
19 books5 followersMatthew L. Skinner (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He frequently contributes to popular Christian magazines and blogs and is a featured writer for ON Scripture (a weekly column carried by Odyssey Networks), the Huffington Post, and other online outlets.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2016
I went to a Christian school so anything that dives into the bible, Christianity, and religions dogma I just eat it up. I think the best part is that you don't need to constantly reference the bible and Skinner makes it pretty easy to read and relate to.
June 29, 2017
Matt Skinner's book on Acts is an excellent book on the subject. He is able to weave the theological and historical facts into an engaging narrative. Anyone interested in early Christian history would enjoy this book.
December 17, 2019
Very thought provoking entertaining commentary.
I liked the way Dr. Skinner shows how disruptive Christianity can be to the rest of the world. He weaves that theme throughout the book. I also appreciated his sense of humor in making this a very easy readable understandable book.
I liked the way Dr. Skinner shows how disruptive Christianity can be to the rest of the world. He weaves that theme throughout the book. I also appreciated his sense of humor in making this a very easy readable understandable book.
February 16, 2018
I will return to this book again and again for it shows not only how the early Christians spread the Gospel, but it both affirms and challenges 21st Christians to re-examine their presence in our world.
August 14, 2018
2018 is the year of Acts for my personal Bible devotions. This was a good book tp read alongside Scripture each morning. In a world that values comfort above most things, it was good to be reminded that the gospel distrupts that agenda...sometimes difficult but always intentional.
October 4, 2017
A scholarly book that demands focus.
April 29, 2018
would read again.
February 27, 2024
Helpful to my study on the book of Acts. But its not a deep study on the book of Acts.
April 14, 2025
For Greece. Re-read Acts alongside. Never realized how much of Acts is intraoffice memos and legal memoranda.
August 1, 2025
Very insightful short chapters on selected scenes from Acts.
March 20, 2023
A very readable commentary about the Biblical book of Acts which we discussed as part of a small weekday Bible study group in the church that we all attended. Shortly after starting the study, it was determined that this church, about to celebrate its 150th anniversary, would only be able to remain financially solvent for another six months and would close down. At first it was difficult to study the miraculous expansions in Acts without wondering why God would not bless our church in the same way. However, as we examined deeper we found how this study could speak to our situation also.
One way the author did this was to refuse to give pat answers. In fact, he frequently points out that Acts does not give us methods but that each story is different and focuses on the individual’s relationship with God. Since he focused on God’s role, we were able to also.
The author has a unique interpretation of most of the passages he chooses. He often examined stories by looking at a conflict presented, noting that often these conflicts are not resolved. An example of this is in Acts 21. Paul and the Tyrians clearly hear two opposite things from the Holy Spirit. The scripture does not explain or resolve the difference. The author also did not feel compelled to resolve it though he did point out that it opens complexity to the question of how a church knows that it is hearing the Holy Spirit in its decision making.
Another strength was the historic, economic and cultural backgrounds given of the cities and areas mentioned as the disciples traveled around in Acts. It was interesting to see how the gospel was presented differently depending on the individuality of the particular location. The author gives the encouraging news “…the message about Jesus—the word of God—will always find an audience, no matter how noble or inaccessible a segment of the population seems to be. Furthermore, the gospel will speak that audience’s language; it will find common ground with some of the audience’s basic assumptions, even if it might yet reveal their shortsightedness in the process.”
One of the author’s weaknesses was that he tends to hyperbole about the motives and thoughts of individuals involved. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
He also has a tendency to make his own definitions of words that don’t seem to align with any standard or Biblical dictionary, for example “prophecy” in Chapter 2 and “hero” in Chapter 23. However, even with this tendency he never really attempted to define “the Gospel,” in his own terms.
This book also may not be helpful for someone without a foundational knowledge of the book Acts because it does not systematically go through Acts but focuses on selected passages.
The author states his goal in writing the book in his Preface: “My primary hope is that I’ve written a book that helps you see more in Acts and that, as a result, Acts kindles for you deeper reflections and ongoing conversations with other people about who God is and how we know God.”
It certainly did this for our Bible study group and myself. It helped us to see that God too had purpose for each of us as our church family traveled through this most difficult time.
One way the author did this was to refuse to give pat answers. In fact, he frequently points out that Acts does not give us methods but that each story is different and focuses on the individual’s relationship with God. Since he focused on God’s role, we were able to also.
The author has a unique interpretation of most of the passages he chooses. He often examined stories by looking at a conflict presented, noting that often these conflicts are not resolved. An example of this is in Acts 21. Paul and the Tyrians clearly hear two opposite things from the Holy Spirit. The scripture does not explain or resolve the difference. The author also did not feel compelled to resolve it though he did point out that it opens complexity to the question of how a church knows that it is hearing the Holy Spirit in its decision making.
Another strength was the historic, economic and cultural backgrounds given of the cities and areas mentioned as the disciples traveled around in Acts. It was interesting to see how the gospel was presented differently depending on the individuality of the particular location. The author gives the encouraging news “…the message about Jesus—the word of God—will always find an audience, no matter how noble or inaccessible a segment of the population seems to be. Furthermore, the gospel will speak that audience’s language; it will find common ground with some of the audience’s basic assumptions, even if it might yet reveal their shortsightedness in the process.”
One of the author’s weaknesses was that he tends to hyperbole about the motives and thoughts of individuals involved. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
He also has a tendency to make his own definitions of words that don’t seem to align with any standard or Biblical dictionary, for example “prophecy” in Chapter 2 and “hero” in Chapter 23. However, even with this tendency he never really attempted to define “the Gospel,” in his own terms.
This book also may not be helpful for someone without a foundational knowledge of the book Acts because it does not systematically go through Acts but focuses on selected passages.
The author states his goal in writing the book in his Preface: “My primary hope is that I’ve written a book that helps you see more in Acts and that, as a result, Acts kindles for you deeper reflections and ongoing conversations with other people about who God is and how we know God.”
It certainly did this for our Bible study group and myself. It helped us to see that God too had purpose for each of us as our church family traveled through this most difficult time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2015
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway.
I wasn't really fired up about it at first--haven't taken Theology since I was 17.
Skinner actually does a really solid job here-- the reading is fluid, clear, and engaging. Things I wouldn't care about suddenly had a good deal of significance. The chapters flow, the story is good, and Skinner's insights and "road maps" are useful.
I particularly liked how relatable and smooth the writing is-- the author's quite funny at points. My only suggestion/recommendation/whatever is to disregard "BYOB"--- you don't need a Bible to read this, and I suspect it would've felt more laborious had I had one.
Overall, pretty good
I wasn't really fired up about it at first--haven't taken Theology since I was 17.
Skinner actually does a really solid job here-- the reading is fluid, clear, and engaging. Things I wouldn't care about suddenly had a good deal of significance. The chapters flow, the story is good, and Skinner's insights and "road maps" are useful.
I particularly liked how relatable and smooth the writing is-- the author's quite funny at points. My only suggestion/recommendation/whatever is to disregard "BYOB"--- you don't need a Bible to read this, and I suspect it would've felt more laborious had I had one.
Overall, pretty good
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews