One-Sided Christianity?: Uniting the Church to Heal a Lost and Broken World

by Ronald J. Sider

This book will challenge every Christian to follow completely the example of Christ who invited people to believe in him(evangelism)and go forth to serve him(social ministry).

Genres: Church, Christian, Theology, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

About the author

Ronald J. Sider (PhD, Yale University) is the founder and president emeritus of Evangelicals for Social Action and distinguished professor of theology, holistic ministry, and public policy at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous books, including The Early Church on Killing, the bestselling Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, and The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience.

Reviews

[Simon Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr schönes Buch! Ron Sider beleuchtet als Insider der evangelikalen Bewegung in den 90ern, wie wenig „die Frommen“ eigentlich für soziale Anliegen einsetzen. Dieses Buch kann allerdings nach wie vor eine prophetische Stimme werden, wo wir einseitig das Evangelium mit Worten und Taten weitergeben. Da das Buch 1995 ins Deutsche übersetzt wurde, wird aber deutlich, dass sich inhaltlich schon einiges anders entwickelt hat. Das sollte man beim Lesen auf dem Schirm haben.

[M.Jeffrey Tomaneng · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book by Ronald J. Sider, a 252-page book tackles a practice by most evangelicals (if not all): the exercise of being “partial”. The title of his book, One-sided Christianity (“involving only one part” and that which is all about being poorly balanced in quantity or quality) is a reality that needs to be discussed and corrected, and that is what the author is trying to accomplish.

The book starts with a personal testimony, which is very important as a jumpstart for the over-all theme, that Christians being involved (in community life and society) but only a part, and not being holistic. The practice of evangelicals as a religious organization or movement which is deaf (and sometimes totally numb) to the social injustices in their very own community is quickly given emphasis in his short testimony entitled “My Pilgrimage.” It is heralding the lowly position of most churches, which can also be a major stumbling block for non-Christians and believers alike, the lack of balance not only in perspective but also in action. As one Jewish university student noted,

“I don’t want to be like these white Christians here. They sing about the love of Jesus. But they don’t care about injustice in South Africa.”

Thus, the author also presented the result of his observation, which classifies believers and followers of Christ (the so called Christians) into four different divisions or models namely: Individualistic Evangelical, Radical Anabaptist, Dominant Ecumenical, and Secular Christian.

Ron Sider clearly identifies the practice of every particular division so that one can identify him/herself in the vast majority of Christians in relation to its own paradigm. Now, we can say as the author is suggesting that a group is really busy in saving souls, while another focuses on reforming structures (i.e. political, corporate, social etc.), therefore the big idea of being truly one-sided.

The book is very clear in defining the concept of “The Gospel of the Kingdom”, which the author says that it can truly be a disturbing community of faith made up of diverse people. It is also a very different kingdom here on earth established by a loving and just God as practiced by the very people of God, through faith in his Son. We need to understand now that the “Gospel is the Good News” about this godly kingdom founded by the one true radical Christ Jesus, a different life story (inclusive of politics) far by any human concept, but all is fair (without prejudice) in words and deeds. It is a life which is truly transforming in every facet, whether communal or social.

The last discussions in the book (chapters III, IV & V) are important. For these parts give or suggest the perspectives and response, actions (including social actions) necessary for changing the dominant concept of one-sided views about salvation and mission. The author defined evangelism and mission, differentiating them from social action. Nevertheless, the book sheds light concerning the inseparable partnership between Christian mission and social action. Surely, worldly dichotomy can be broken, and incarnational followers of Christ can be a reality in a godly and peaceful community, even in a broken society.

In God nothing is impossible, even holistic transformation, through the Gospel of the Lord’s Kingdom.

This book is a truly wonderful source for a good paradigm shift regarding our misled perspectives and unjust deeds towards society, including our own community, even our faith community. This book can transform one’s worldview, thus I hope and pray that it will, especially to those who are practicing “one-sided” Christianity.

[Sophia Cheung]

Just want to know how to unit the church to heal a lost and broken world.