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The Jesus Heist: Recovering the Gospel from the Church
• Provocative readings of biblical stories, with thoughts on what they are saying to
the church
• Listens for critique rather than support, encouraging us to hear Jesus fresh
Inside the Church, we are constantly and consistently reading the gospels through the lens of supporting our own institution and structure. This prevents us from hearing the critique Jesus offered in his own day and his emphatic and persistent call to be and do differently now (Matthew 23:1–12). Stories that will be covered
include Widow’s Mite, Rich Young Ruler, Destruction of the Temple, Searching for the Lost Coin, Sower of the Seeds, Transfiguration, and the Great Commission.
This book will flip the script of many Bible stories, allowing us to hear Jesus’ call to change as one that is directed at us rather than as one we should direct toward others.
the church
• Listens for critique rather than support, encouraging us to hear Jesus fresh
Inside the Church, we are constantly and consistently reading the gospels through the lens of supporting our own institution and structure. This prevents us from hearing the critique Jesus offered in his own day and his emphatic and persistent call to be and do differently now (Matthew 23:1–12). Stories that will be covered
include Widow’s Mite, Rich Young Ruler, Destruction of the Temple, Searching for the Lost Coin, Sower of the Seeds, Transfiguration, and the Great Commission.
This book will flip the script of many Bible stories, allowing us to hear Jesus’ call to change as one that is directed at us rather than as one we should direct toward others.
- GenresFaith
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
C. Andrew Doyle
14 books17 followersCharles Andrew Doyle (Andy) was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Texas on May 24, 2008 and was consecrated on November 22, 2008 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston. He was seated as the ninth Bishop of Texas on June 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, following the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly.
Born in 1966 in Carbondale, Illinois, and raised in Houston, Bishop Doyle served five years as Canon to the Ordinary prior to his election. Bishop Doyle holds a bachelor of fine arts from the University of North Texas and served at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin before receiving an M Div from Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon in 1995 and priest the following year. He served at Christ Church,Temple and St. Francis, College Station, Texas, prior to his appointment to the diocesan staff as Canon to the Ordinary in 2003.
Bishop Doyle is a gifted and experienced teacher and preacher, and has a particular interest in reaching younger generations in order to partner with older and experienced church members to share wisdom across generations, invigorating growth and membership. He has training and expertise in mediation as well as multicultural ministry. Bishop Doyle is bilingual and actively seeks to respond to an increasingly diverse population in the Diocese of Texas.
He believes reaching more and different audiences through electronic means will help build the body of Christ and regularly uses Twitter and FaceBook to have conversations with church members and those looking for a church home. He encourages innovative and grass roots efforts to plant new Episcopal communities.
A published author and accomplished painter, Doyle and his wife JoAnne have two daughters, Zoë, and Caisa.
Born in 1966 in Carbondale, Illinois, and raised in Houston, Bishop Doyle served five years as Canon to the Ordinary prior to his election. Bishop Doyle holds a bachelor of fine arts from the University of North Texas and served at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin before receiving an M Div from Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon in 1995 and priest the following year. He served at Christ Church,Temple and St. Francis, College Station, Texas, prior to his appointment to the diocesan staff as Canon to the Ordinary in 2003.
Bishop Doyle is a gifted and experienced teacher and preacher, and has a particular interest in reaching younger generations in order to partner with older and experienced church members to share wisdom across generations, invigorating growth and membership. He has training and expertise in mediation as well as multicultural ministry. Bishop Doyle is bilingual and actively seeks to respond to an increasingly diverse population in the Diocese of Texas.
He believes reaching more and different audiences through electronic means will help build the body of Christ and regularly uses Twitter and FaceBook to have conversations with church members and those looking for a church home. He encourages innovative and grass roots efforts to plant new Episcopal communities.
A published author and accomplished painter, Doyle and his wife JoAnne have two daughters, Zoë, and Caisa.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 17, 2025
A Vitally Needed Call for Church Reformation
Bishop Doyle’s book, THE JESUS HEIST, illustrates the powerful purpose of God’s Word (of Agape Love) when courageously spoken as a prophet/sheepdog. It is the Sword of the Spirit, sharper than a two edged sword, piercing to the depths of our souls and that of the “Church”, exposing the thoughts, motives, and habituated traditions that can cloud over and choke out the profoundly simple, beautifully effective Gospel of Love revealed by God in Christ.
Bishop Doyle’s book, THE JESUS HEIST, illustrates the powerful purpose of God’s Word (of Agape Love) when courageously spoken as a prophet/sheepdog. It is the Sword of the Spirit, sharper than a two edged sword, piercing to the depths of our souls and that of the “Church”, exposing the thoughts, motives, and habituated traditions that can cloud over and choke out the profoundly simple, beautifully effective Gospel of Love revealed by God in Christ.
December 24, 2017
Bishop Doyle does get quite theological but it leads the reader to the truth that the church isn’t what it was intended to be. He bravely call to us to come outside the building and be a force for Jesus in the world. He manages to uphold his Bishop vows as he challenges the status quo of how we live our being God’s people. He’s very much a modern day prophet. Hope he doesn’t meet the usual fate of a prophet.
May 31, 2018
I totally agree with his conclusion, but not always with how he got there. Not that everyone has to agree with every point a person makes to respect the spirit of what they're saying. It was a good reminder to look at Jesus in the Gospels with an open heart to truly see Jesus, not just perpetuate half truths I've been told by others.
December 3, 2018
I found it interesting but a slow read, I had to really think about what I was reading. Also, because I am not a biblical scholar I had to periodically look up words.
In summary, Bishop Doyle is saying that over the centuries the church has become like the temple in Jesus' time. Jesus' ministry was not spent in the temple, it was spent out among the people.
In summary, Bishop Doyle is saying that over the centuries the church has become like the temple in Jesus' time. Jesus' ministry was not spent in the temple, it was spent out among the people.
March 21, 2019
Thought-provoking. Rethinking what my kingdom work needs to be.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews