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Radicals: Why Tomorrow Belongs to Post-Denominational Christians Infused With Supernatural Power
Throughout time, when it seemed mankind was slipping irrevocably into ungodly decay from which the world might never recover, God did something unexpected and released a fresh wind of His presence that awoke a remnant of believers. These revivalists and prophets in turn often departed ecclesiastical and cultural norms to preach the everlasting Gospel with innovative flare. While in their days they were thought to be radicals, they nevertheless pushed back darkness with the Sword of the Spirit and liberated minds to comprehend their estate and need of Jesus (2 Cor. 10:5). The book you now hold argues effectively that we have entered such a time again and the evidence is reflected in familiar anti-establishment sentiments todayboth religious and political. We are rapidly ripening for a spiritual awakening within the Church of Christ, and this book leaves no illusions about how that could suddenly unfold, unexpectedly giving rise to a new breed of post-denominational radicals infused with the supernatural power of God. Radicals examines a refreshing analysis of the Epistle of James, written by Christs half-brother who exposed the sins of the Early Church while illustrating the timeless liberating power of the Word. It addresses modern trials facing the Body, the eerie similarities they hold to the trials of the Early Church, and why we are commanded to count them all as joy. It discusses the tests of the faith, and why we must get serious about overcoming them individually and corporately, and exposes how the Church still participates in favoritism of todays privileged class, and the role that plays in stunting the Great Commission. Radicals brings to light the Rahabs of today, why they may quickly be replacing our traditions, and why thats a
275 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2017
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March 29, 2024
A CALL TO PREPARE TO BE THE ‘NEW CHURCH,' 'RADICAL’
Donna Howell wrote in the Introduction to this 2017 book, “we are no longer one nation, under God, indivisible. We haven’t been that for a LONG time. Today, we are one nation, under many principalities of darkness, and we are not indivisible but we are DIVIDED by every single social and political nuance every single day… So I ask: Do you want to change the world we’re living in? Do you REALLY want to make a difference in a deep and lasting way… when [Jesus] died, and ascended, a great confusion spread throughout … that remained during the Apostolic Age… The Church of Christ was a social club… What Christendom needed in those days was a radical redirection of focus from halfhearted ‘religion’ and social bickering to a deep relationship with the Risen Messiah… a true change of HEART by the believers would result in a change of social issues… We need leaders to rise up for social reformation of the Christian Church… Remember as you read ahead that every chapter poses the question of whether you want to be a part of the next Great Awakening.” (Pg. 3-5)
She states, “If this nation---if this globe---is about the experience another Great Awakening, and I believe it is, then it’s time to stop playing church while, daily, thousands around us are passing from this life into eternity… Understand that although they are difficult, tests are mandatory. They serve to separate the boys from the men… They… needle us into deciding to be true ambassadors of Christ or to become irresponsible and lackluster followers of a lifestyle code we claim to belong to---but the values of which we ignore.” (Pg. 47)
She argues, “Judging a woman’s character based on what she is wearing is often quite unfair, because two women can wear the EXACT same outfit with very different results… The quick judgment of females is raging in our current Church. If women dress too casually, they aren’t being respectful of the house of God. If they dress in pretty clothing, they are often seen as flirtatious or brazen. If their clothing is out of date, they are the subject of gossip… women are naturally subject to continuously suffer greater judgment regarding outward appearance as men is they aren’t committed to shopping for the latest modest clothing in a world that doesn’t believe in modesty in the first place.” (Pg. 81, 83)
She comments on the controversial case of two bakers who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple: “Both couples acted out of line… While the Christian bakers had---and have---the right to decline service based on religious preferences, I believe they mishandled an opportunity to be a gentle light in a dark world. And while the homosexual couple had---and have---the right to be treated with decency and respect, I believe they mishandled an opportunity to give the same respect and freedom they were demanding… It should never be assumed that, because I have a gay friend whom I love, appreciate, and get along peacefully with, I am in support of this person’s lifestyle. It’s quite the contrary…” (Pg. 114, 117)
She explains, “Some call me, Donna Howell, a radical… if being antiestablishment makes someone a radical, then I must be one, because the Church has become an organized, institutionalized establishment, and I am against much of what it represents today… People all around us… are hurting and dying---emotionally, spiritually, physically… They eventually come to doubt the value of human life as God designed it and adopt the idea of God is a dictatorial and maniacal tyrant bent on designing a world that only ever causes pain to its inhabitants. They face this dejection every day of their lives, wondering what in the world it’s all form. And at the center of all of this… is the answer to all of this: Christ.” (Pg. 140-141)
She recounts, “churches began to open their doors again, embracing all those treasured souls it had failed to embrace before… Tommy Hilfiger and Gap were now just as appropriate as a suit and tie to lead worship in… Worship started to allow for almost any sound, including rock, provided it was ultimately done with reverence. I was thrilled!... But then something happened. The Church… became TOO relaxed…. The anything-goes acceptance model ushered in a faint lack of respect for what church should be… We are now in an emergent phase of over-tolerance. Some of the things I see now are extremely disturbing.” (Pg. 179-180)
She notes, “Prosperity preachers have caused a LOT of harm to our understanding of the Gospel… generations of people were affected by this misleading gospel that says all existence will be easier and glossier if we say the right word… People still believe in the idea that if we aren’t blessed, if we aren’t getting what we want, we’re just not being spiritual enough…” (Pg. 196)
She concludes, “The worse things get in the world around us with dissention between members of the Body and quarrels between social groups and kingdoms unable to stand as they fight against themselves, the closer we get to the day Jesus Christ comes to take us all home... believe that God knew you have what it takes to be here, and God has a mission for you. Yes, the world is filled with sinners. Yes, you are one of them. And YES, it is the very experiences you’ve had in your life---including your mistakes---that make you the likeliest to reach the lost in your arena of expertise… So when the time comes, we can be the New Church. Reformed. Awakened, Radical.” (Pg. 227)
This book is an interesting perspective by a young, theologically conservative Christian.
Donna Howell wrote in the Introduction to this 2017 book, “we are no longer one nation, under God, indivisible. We haven’t been that for a LONG time. Today, we are one nation, under many principalities of darkness, and we are not indivisible but we are DIVIDED by every single social and political nuance every single day… So I ask: Do you want to change the world we’re living in? Do you REALLY want to make a difference in a deep and lasting way… when [Jesus] died, and ascended, a great confusion spread throughout … that remained during the Apostolic Age… The Church of Christ was a social club… What Christendom needed in those days was a radical redirection of focus from halfhearted ‘religion’ and social bickering to a deep relationship with the Risen Messiah… a true change of HEART by the believers would result in a change of social issues… We need leaders to rise up for social reformation of the Christian Church… Remember as you read ahead that every chapter poses the question of whether you want to be a part of the next Great Awakening.” (Pg. 3-5)
She states, “If this nation---if this globe---is about the experience another Great Awakening, and I believe it is, then it’s time to stop playing church while, daily, thousands around us are passing from this life into eternity… Understand that although they are difficult, tests are mandatory. They serve to separate the boys from the men… They… needle us into deciding to be true ambassadors of Christ or to become irresponsible and lackluster followers of a lifestyle code we claim to belong to---but the values of which we ignore.” (Pg. 47)
She argues, “Judging a woman’s character based on what she is wearing is often quite unfair, because two women can wear the EXACT same outfit with very different results… The quick judgment of females is raging in our current Church. If women dress too casually, they aren’t being respectful of the house of God. If they dress in pretty clothing, they are often seen as flirtatious or brazen. If their clothing is out of date, they are the subject of gossip… women are naturally subject to continuously suffer greater judgment regarding outward appearance as men is they aren’t committed to shopping for the latest modest clothing in a world that doesn’t believe in modesty in the first place.” (Pg. 81, 83)
She comments on the controversial case of two bakers who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple: “Both couples acted out of line… While the Christian bakers had---and have---the right to decline service based on religious preferences, I believe they mishandled an opportunity to be a gentle light in a dark world. And while the homosexual couple had---and have---the right to be treated with decency and respect, I believe they mishandled an opportunity to give the same respect and freedom they were demanding… It should never be assumed that, because I have a gay friend whom I love, appreciate, and get along peacefully with, I am in support of this person’s lifestyle. It’s quite the contrary…” (Pg. 114, 117)
She explains, “Some call me, Donna Howell, a radical… if being antiestablishment makes someone a radical, then I must be one, because the Church has become an organized, institutionalized establishment, and I am against much of what it represents today… People all around us… are hurting and dying---emotionally, spiritually, physically… They eventually come to doubt the value of human life as God designed it and adopt the idea of God is a dictatorial and maniacal tyrant bent on designing a world that only ever causes pain to its inhabitants. They face this dejection every day of their lives, wondering what in the world it’s all form. And at the center of all of this… is the answer to all of this: Christ.” (Pg. 140-141)
She recounts, “churches began to open their doors again, embracing all those treasured souls it had failed to embrace before… Tommy Hilfiger and Gap were now just as appropriate as a suit and tie to lead worship in… Worship started to allow for almost any sound, including rock, provided it was ultimately done with reverence. I was thrilled!... But then something happened. The Church… became TOO relaxed…. The anything-goes acceptance model ushered in a faint lack of respect for what church should be… We are now in an emergent phase of over-tolerance. Some of the things I see now are extremely disturbing.” (Pg. 179-180)
She notes, “Prosperity preachers have caused a LOT of harm to our understanding of the Gospel… generations of people were affected by this misleading gospel that says all existence will be easier and glossier if we say the right word… People still believe in the idea that if we aren’t blessed, if we aren’t getting what we want, we’re just not being spiritual enough…” (Pg. 196)
She concludes, “The worse things get in the world around us with dissention between members of the Body and quarrels between social groups and kingdoms unable to stand as they fight against themselves, the closer we get to the day Jesus Christ comes to take us all home... believe that God knew you have what it takes to be here, and God has a mission for you. Yes, the world is filled with sinners. Yes, you are one of them. And YES, it is the very experiences you’ve had in your life---including your mistakes---that make you the likeliest to reach the lost in your arena of expertise… So when the time comes, we can be the New Church. Reformed. Awakened, Radical.” (Pg. 227)
This book is an interesting perspective by a young, theologically conservative Christian.
March 26, 2024
This book is an in-depth study of the book of James, but at the same time, it is a wake-up call for today's churches. Donna Howell classes James, the half-brother of Jesus, as a radical in his time, as he stuck his neck out and did not always go along with the practices and beliefs of the Pharisees and priests of the day. She exhorts today's churches to also stick their necks out and get back to true worship and Biblical teaching. She explains what true worship is, and is very scathing of many practices in the churches today. A good read, and food for thought, plus action.
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