Pursuing the Third Option: Following Jesus in a Polarized World

by Mark A Vincenti

Do you ever tire of the relentless rhetoric trying to convince you that one extreme and problem-laden approach to an issue is superior to all others?
Are you weary of voices which demonize views which are different than theirs?
Do you ever wonder if the choices typically presented to you are the only real options?
Do you long to follow Jesus authentically, but struggle to connect with the choices presented to you?
You are not alone.
There is a better way.
A more faithful way.
A truer way.
In Pursuing the Third Option, Vincenti invites us to consider the possibility that there is another way to approach issues, one which Jesus, himself, often exemplified. It requires a rejection of polarized thinking and the embrace of nuance. It opens up new possibilities for following Jesus in this polarized world.
In this book, Vincenti explores topics such as politics, the church, leadership, the body, sex, and other subjects and points out the polarized thinking surrounding these matters. He then proposes a biblical third option approach for each one.
More than ever, we need a fresh paradigm to help us engage in a world full of complex issues.
The time for Pursuing the Third Option is here.

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2018

Reviews

[Zak Schmoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes you think. The author is very Aristotelian in that he suggests that we are always tempted by excesses, and often times the way of Jesus is found between the extremes. I wouldn't say that he is wishy-washy by doing this, but he is attempted to be circumspect and I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I do think that sometimes his third ways are not really third ways, and the opposites are not necessarily opposites. For example, in his chapter on spiritual disciplines, I don't know that legalism and laziness are necessarily the pair of opposites he ought to be looking for. Even if you disagree, I think that thinking this way about various Christian virtues (and vices at times) is a helpful exercise.

[Bruce Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read this book because the title promised to address the issue of polarization in our culture as related to the church today. I was not disappointed. The book goes beyond that though, and discusses other topics where Christians face a seemingly narrow range of choices. For me, the book started a little slow, but drew me in more and more as the author went beyond the obvious topic of politics. I especially enjoyed the chapter about the relationship of the physical with the spiritual. There is an extensive bibliography for further research.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped clarify and answer questions I had been struggling with being a Christian and living in a world that tells me how I much view certain topics because I am a Christian. I felt the author really stuck to Biblical Principles when addressing the big topics of today’s society. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

[Sam Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pursuing the Third Option gives believers a chance to break of the binary world we are forced into. On a variety of issues, he challenges us to consider a third way. Read this book. It will help you take the road of faith that is less traveled.