How to Inherit the Earth: Submitting Ourselves to a Servant Savior

by Scott A. Bessenecker

Ambition isn't bad; it just does bad things. In a culture that too often prizes leadership uncritically and unreflectively, a faith that calls us to take up crosses, lay down lives and otherwise submit ourselves to something outside ourselves simply sounds like a bad idea. Nevertheless, this is the faith that we find Jesus talking about. Scott Bessenecker has learned from new friar communities, from the history of Christianity and from the mouth of Jesus that there's something wonderfully subversive about saying no to ourselves every now and then, something that could even change the world.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living

159 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2009

Reviews

[Jason Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read book after book about leadership, leadership in business, in church or in any other part of life. Many of these have been helpful in their own ways but left me with feelings of disappointment or despair or both. So, this little book by Scott Bessenecker came as a breath of fresh air at a time when I really needed it.

While meekness is the focus of the book, I thought the sections on the spiritual discipline was especially meaningful for me. In many ways, this is an anti-leadership book that serves as a healthy reminder that Christ has modeled for us a different way of living in this world.

I also resonated with Bessenecker's writing style and have since become a regular reader of his blog.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Bessenecker's other book and I liked this one even more. Over the past few years, God has really pressed me on issues of humility and this book was a good reflection on things that God's been working on and a kick in the butt to consider them further and with greater depth. The chapters on submission and obedience were particularly convicting once again given my experience in the work place. I also appreciated the closing chapter's discussion on how to faithfully apply these principles as a leader. Overall, a great book.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has anyone else ever written a book on Christian meekness? I haven't heard of one. (Though Henri Nouwen's “In the Name of Jesus” does cover some of the same ground without necessarily using the word.) Scott Bessenecker discusses the difficult questions raised by Jesus's calls to humility and his pronounced blessings on the meek, in a suitably vulnerable style. Much of the book was on my heart already, though the chapter on submission was quite challenging to one so keen on independence. Maybe only deserves 3 stars, but I'm giving it 4 for being willing to tackle the subject matter.

[Clayton Tune · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes to people challenging the idea of accumulating wealth, I think David Platt's argument in Radical is my favorite. However, Bessenecker presents a great argument for the same issue and how to think about being a servant leader.

[Jt]

good read