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Untamed: Reactivating A Missional Form Of Discipleship
In this provocative and compelling book, internationally known missiologists Alan and Debra Hirsch overthrow culturized understandings of theology and culture, and cast a vision for a distinctly mission-shaped way of living the Christian life. Written for any Christian serious about issue of discipleship, Untamed covers such topics as church, humans as bearers of the image of God, family life, culture, and sexuality. Through it all they seek to answer the question, how are we to think and live day to day as followers of Jesus?Each chapter ends with suggested practices to help readers begin to live out the book's principles as well as questions for group discussion.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Alan Hirsch
98 books82 followersAlan Hirsch is the founding director of Forge Mission Training Network. Currently he co-leads Future Travelers, an innovative learning program helping megachurches become missional movements. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is considered to be a thought-leader and key mission strategist for churches across the Western world. Hirsch is the author of The Forgotten Ways; co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus, and The Faith of Leap (with Michael Frost); Untamed (with Debra Hirsch); Right Here, Right Now (with Lance Ford), and On the Verge (with Dave Ferguson).
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
Alan is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for Baker Books' Shapevine series , IVP's Forge line, and an associate editor of Leadership Journal.
His experience in leadership includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized as well as heading up the Mission and Revitalization work of his denomination. He has been on leadership team with Christian Associates, a mission agency planting churches throughout Europe. Alan is adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 10, 2011
Untamed http://amzn.to/glcTwK is a shot across the bow to anyone who has let “mission drift” take over their heart and hands. Alan and Deb have written this book to remind us “the cost [of following Jesus] includes living a life that sometimes runs contrary to the culture around us.” This book is written, “to help disciples of Jesus become better and deeper disciples.”
As you open the pages of this book, you are mugged by two questions that, if you are like me, will keep you wrestled to the ground for some time after they pass by. The first question is this:
What is it about the holiness of Jesus that caused “sinners” to flock to him like a magnet and yet managed to seriously antagonize the religious people?
And while that one put me on the ground, the second came like a right, left combination punch from the latest heavyweight champion of the world:
Why does our more churchy form of holiness seem to get it the other way around – to comfort the religious and antagonize sinners?
By the time you get this far in the book, page 45 for the curious, you are hooked. As I read and reread some of the chapters or sections, I realized I wasn’t reading anything new – as it pertains to the Gospels. What I found in these pages were the words of Jesus fleshed out into faith – life in action. While I don’t agree with every page or paragraph – as is true with any book – this book was fundamentally disturbing to my everyday lifestyle enough that it has a special place on my bookshelf now – the “reread again and again” section. Let me share with you why.
• Section One: The Untamed God – We are reminded afresh that the whole purpose of Jesus’ mission was to save sinners (Luke 19:10) which Jesus did by practicing proximity – he simply enjoyed being around and with them. We are told he was more of a prophetic nonconformist than a tame ethics teacher. To emphasize their point, the authors turn us to that fact that Jesus called people to throw away everything to follow him (Matthew 13:44). He called people to a cross (Matthew 10:38; 16:24) and to a love for God that will make all other loves seem like hatred (Matthew 10:35-37). Anticipating some pushback, the authors ask a penetrating question: “If God is not the defining center of our faith, life, and identity, then who or what is?” In centering us on this path, we are reminded that we often miss the fact that discipleship has more to do with becoming like Jesus, living the Shema (Mark 12:29-31), and not forgetting that the “more important matters of the law,” namely love, mercy, forgiveness, justice (Matthew 23:23-24), are nonnegotiables in the equation.
• Section Two: The Untamed Culture – Making their case for becoming agents (missionaries) of the wild Messiah to our culture, Alan and Deb pivot on a key point: we need to interpret and redeem the world/s in which we live, which they say, “goes directly to the issue of discipleship formation and to the reality that the church has largely been unsuccessful at prioritizing displemaking as the primary mission of the church (Matt. 28:16-10).” “Only disciples formed in the ways of the radical missionary Jesus,” they say, “can make an impact on such a potent cultural system as the one we live and move in.” Before you have a moment to object, they take you to Willow Creek’s Revel study as proof of their point. Demonstrating how our current church “spiritual growth” systems actually foster co-dependency, the stage is set for their premise that “conversion is commission,” which they explain in detail.
• Section Three: The Untamed Self – Looking into the mirror of our faith ministries, the authors argue for a reexamination of the product we are creating – what do our disciples look and sound like? What are they, really? They state clearly and bluntly: “Our authenticity, as well as our power, is unleashed when we live out our true identity and calling in Christ. Any attempt to live as a disciple that is not properly founded on a true identity in Jesus will result in deviant religion.” They then return us to the two foundational principles of the Shema – to love God and love others as ourselves – no small task in itself, for it requires sacrifice, service and commitment – real heart. If we simply live out the Shema, the authors contend, “we are well on our way to becoming more mature in our identity – which is reactivating the missional form of Jesus’ discipleship.
• Section Four: The Untamed Mission – In this last chapter (section), we are told, “If missional defines our being sent out into the world, then incarnational must define the way in which we engage the world. Alan and Deb provide a great set of discipleship practices that center around “the six P’s” to help embed incarnational mission into the life of the intern: presence, proximity, powerlessness, prevenience, proclamation, and passion. Calling us to deeply invest in a people group and live among them, this missional approach reflects the approach of the first century Christ-followers who conquered an Empire through the love and leadership of Jesus Christ.
While Untamed http://amzn.to/glcTwK is not a “safe” read, it is a good read for those who long to penetrate, influence and transform their community at the soul level.
As you open the pages of this book, you are mugged by two questions that, if you are like me, will keep you wrestled to the ground for some time after they pass by. The first question is this:
What is it about the holiness of Jesus that caused “sinners” to flock to him like a magnet and yet managed to seriously antagonize the religious people?
And while that one put me on the ground, the second came like a right, left combination punch from the latest heavyweight champion of the world:
Why does our more churchy form of holiness seem to get it the other way around – to comfort the religious and antagonize sinners?
By the time you get this far in the book, page 45 for the curious, you are hooked. As I read and reread some of the chapters or sections, I realized I wasn’t reading anything new – as it pertains to the Gospels. What I found in these pages were the words of Jesus fleshed out into faith – life in action. While I don’t agree with every page or paragraph – as is true with any book – this book was fundamentally disturbing to my everyday lifestyle enough that it has a special place on my bookshelf now – the “reread again and again” section. Let me share with you why.
• Section One: The Untamed God – We are reminded afresh that the whole purpose of Jesus’ mission was to save sinners (Luke 19:10) which Jesus did by practicing proximity – he simply enjoyed being around and with them. We are told he was more of a prophetic nonconformist than a tame ethics teacher. To emphasize their point, the authors turn us to that fact that Jesus called people to throw away everything to follow him (Matthew 13:44). He called people to a cross (Matthew 10:38; 16:24) and to a love for God that will make all other loves seem like hatred (Matthew 10:35-37). Anticipating some pushback, the authors ask a penetrating question: “If God is not the defining center of our faith, life, and identity, then who or what is?” In centering us on this path, we are reminded that we often miss the fact that discipleship has more to do with becoming like Jesus, living the Shema (Mark 12:29-31), and not forgetting that the “more important matters of the law,” namely love, mercy, forgiveness, justice (Matthew 23:23-24), are nonnegotiables in the equation.
• Section Two: The Untamed Culture – Making their case for becoming agents (missionaries) of the wild Messiah to our culture, Alan and Deb pivot on a key point: we need to interpret and redeem the world/s in which we live, which they say, “goes directly to the issue of discipleship formation and to the reality that the church has largely been unsuccessful at prioritizing displemaking as the primary mission of the church (Matt. 28:16-10).” “Only disciples formed in the ways of the radical missionary Jesus,” they say, “can make an impact on such a potent cultural system as the one we live and move in.” Before you have a moment to object, they take you to Willow Creek’s Revel study as proof of their point. Demonstrating how our current church “spiritual growth” systems actually foster co-dependency, the stage is set for their premise that “conversion is commission,” which they explain in detail.
• Section Three: The Untamed Self – Looking into the mirror of our faith ministries, the authors argue for a reexamination of the product we are creating – what do our disciples look and sound like? What are they, really? They state clearly and bluntly: “Our authenticity, as well as our power, is unleashed when we live out our true identity and calling in Christ. Any attempt to live as a disciple that is not properly founded on a true identity in Jesus will result in deviant religion.” They then return us to the two foundational principles of the Shema – to love God and love others as ourselves – no small task in itself, for it requires sacrifice, service and commitment – real heart. If we simply live out the Shema, the authors contend, “we are well on our way to becoming more mature in our identity – which is reactivating the missional form of Jesus’ discipleship.
• Section Four: The Untamed Mission – In this last chapter (section), we are told, “If missional defines our being sent out into the world, then incarnational must define the way in which we engage the world. Alan and Deb provide a great set of discipleship practices that center around “the six P’s” to help embed incarnational mission into the life of the intern: presence, proximity, powerlessness, prevenience, proclamation, and passion. Calling us to deeply invest in a people group and live among them, this missional approach reflects the approach of the first century Christ-followers who conquered an Empire through the love and leadership of Jesus Christ.
While Untamed http://amzn.to/glcTwK is not a “safe” read, it is a good read for those who long to penetrate, influence and transform their community at the soul level.
July 24, 2017
There is much for which to be grateful in the writings and witness of the Hirsches
November 21, 2013
When I first started reading this book I was a little unsure of what to expect. The discipleship in the title kinda made me think it was another book on how to disciple believers. This wasn't really the case I found out. The book is more about our discipleship in relation to being Jesus' disciples. I haven't actually met Alan and Deb personally but I've been to a conference and attended Alan's breakout session. The thing you need to know about Alan is he's very smart. Almost to the point of being too smart. I found some of the language in the book a little hard to understand as well as some of the correlations between the quotes and the context (which there are a ton of - he really loves CS Lewis). This is more of a personal preference though. Deb is smart too but I think she has a smoother way of explaining things that really helped level this book out. I was initially excited to read this because both of these people are amazing, amazing people with genuine hearts for the mission of Jesus. They are "untamed" and constantly looking for ways to be even wilder.
For me personally this book was perfect. I've been on a mission to purge myself of churchy things and get back to the true mission of Jesus. Before I even read this book I was struggling with what I knew about church and what Jesus said was the most important commandment: love the Lord with your entire being and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the concept explored throughout this book. When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus didn't say to be holy. He didn't say to try to be like God nor did he want us to set the world straight with His truth. He said to love the Lord and people. It's so simple it feels too simple.
If you're like me, trapped in a world of meaningless religious crap, and needing a shot of hope, this is the book for you. If you're not willing to challenge your previous held religious beliefs in an effort to become more like Jesus, you're not going to understand or like this book.
For me personally this book was perfect. I've been on a mission to purge myself of churchy things and get back to the true mission of Jesus. Before I even read this book I was struggling with what I knew about church and what Jesus said was the most important commandment: love the Lord with your entire being and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the concept explored throughout this book. When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus didn't say to be holy. He didn't say to try to be like God nor did he want us to set the world straight with His truth. He said to love the Lord and people. It's so simple it feels too simple.
If you're like me, trapped in a world of meaningless religious crap, and needing a shot of hope, this is the book for you. If you're not willing to challenge your previous held religious beliefs in an effort to become more like Jesus, you're not going to understand or like this book.
March 20, 2012
Great book that looks at how we view discipleship and the church in the west. We went through it with a few other couples, reading the Gospel of Mark through every time we read a chapter. An encouraging season. I'd encourage anyone to read it through, especially with someone else to discuss it with!
February 11, 2012
really loved this very insightful and biblical book on how discipleship is to be...where we have flawed views...and a hungry to correct them...
November 8, 2023
It's interesting how extraordinarily different Christian books are across the spectrum. In many ways this book is traditionally sound, while on the other end it is edgy, woke, and seems like it may be perspectively woke. While I completely think that the author's means completely sincere – it does come in complete contrast to many others in ways that can't nessisarily even be rebuked.
I believe that the authors have a heart for GOD and for people. I'm also very glad that they're reaching communities that are more difficult to reach. There are things that are easily applauded and things that are uneasy in this book alike. I found it interesting.
I believe that the authors have a heart for GOD and for people. I'm also very glad that they're reaching communities that are more difficult to reach. There are things that are easily applauded and things that are uneasy in this book alike. I found it interesting.
August 12, 2019
It was meh. I got one thing out of it. It could've been a blog post. Book was boring and now it seemed a little dated with certain topics.
November 27, 2019
A strong challenge to the way you live out the Gospel
March 6, 2020
Untamed
It’s time we leave our tame existence and enter the real world and connect with real people. Scary, maybe, rewarding, assuredly.
It’s time we leave our tame existence and enter the real world and connect with real people. Scary, maybe, rewarding, assuredly.
December 1, 2025
This is good. Read it if you want to move the Gospel out of the white middle-class and into the rest of the world, even if it's in your neighborhood.
October 17, 2016
This was my first Alan Hirsch book. I was attracted to his emphasis on discipleship and evangelism through his talk on the Verge network.
Hirsch begins by observing many issues in Christianity in the west. He calls Christians domesticated, and not disciplined. We can't make a difference until we are different. He talks about omission, orthopraxy, and the need for everyone discipling. He says if the church is a body, it is only using one limb. Some great, very true stuff in here. I am, however, in total disagreement of his method of discipling before conversion. How could you follow a teacher (to the point of death) and not even know his name?! Discipleship is a real commitment, not a sneaky way of influencing others.
Next, Alan emphasizes the need to know and show the real Jesus. He argues if you views of God are wrong, you may as well be an atheist. I had never thought about how important this really is. We are living and breathing ambassadors of Christ. We had better look and act like Him! Many of us tend to portray our own favorite version of Jesus, instead of the Biblical and historical Jesus.
Seeing God in others, not sin...
Alan argues that Jesus was very 'untamed' in his ways. He calls Jesus 'wild' among other things. I will agree Jesus constantly pushed the status quo, but he was a righteous type of wild. A perfect type of wild. Edgy, but completely upright and loving. I find Mr Hirsch doing the very same thing he warns against. Since Alan has had a background going through homosexuality, he tends to focus most of the book on the sexually outcast. Alan has made his Jesus one who focuses on homosexuality and transgender issues. He mentions if Jesus were around today, he would most likely be found in a gay bar...
While Jesus loves every type of sinner, he calls them to repent. And he does this as soon as he meets them. And those who interacted with Jesus in the Bible either turned from these offensive claims or worshiped him as God and left their sin. Jesus does not favor a type of sin, as Hirsch is appearing to favor. And the Bible in fact, does emphasize some sins as greater. Sexual sin is one of those greater sins you will find throughout the old and new testament.
Alan makes his point that Jesus was not a dull teacher (and sometimes we are), but for the topic of discipleship, there are much more sound books I'd recommend to a friend.
Hirsch begins by observing many issues in Christianity in the west. He calls Christians domesticated, and not disciplined. We can't make a difference until we are different. He talks about omission, orthopraxy, and the need for everyone discipling. He says if the church is a body, it is only using one limb. Some great, very true stuff in here. I am, however, in total disagreement of his method of discipling before conversion. How could you follow a teacher (to the point of death) and not even know his name?! Discipleship is a real commitment, not a sneaky way of influencing others.
Next, Alan emphasizes the need to know and show the real Jesus. He argues if you views of God are wrong, you may as well be an atheist. I had never thought about how important this really is. We are living and breathing ambassadors of Christ. We had better look and act like Him! Many of us tend to portray our own favorite version of Jesus, instead of the Biblical and historical Jesus.
Seeing God in others, not sin...
Alan argues that Jesus was very 'untamed' in his ways. He calls Jesus 'wild' among other things. I will agree Jesus constantly pushed the status quo, but he was a righteous type of wild. A perfect type of wild. Edgy, but completely upright and loving. I find Mr Hirsch doing the very same thing he warns against. Since Alan has had a background going through homosexuality, he tends to focus most of the book on the sexually outcast. Alan has made his Jesus one who focuses on homosexuality and transgender issues. He mentions if Jesus were around today, he would most likely be found in a gay bar...
While Jesus loves every type of sinner, he calls them to repent. And he does this as soon as he meets them. And those who interacted with Jesus in the Bible either turned from these offensive claims or worshiped him as God and left their sin. Jesus does not favor a type of sin, as Hirsch is appearing to favor. And the Bible in fact, does emphasize some sins as greater. Sexual sin is one of those greater sins you will find throughout the old and new testament.
Alan makes his point that Jesus was not a dull teacher (and sometimes we are), but for the topic of discipleship, there are much more sound books I'd recommend to a friend.
April 18, 2012
This book was written by Alan Hirsch and his wife, Debra based on their experiences starting a church and living out their ideas of what "missional Christianity" should look like. While "missional" has become a bit of a buzz word in what looks like a "hipster Christian" fad, Alan actually provides a deep and meaningful reasoning behind the words he uses. Untamed is one of several books written by Alan, that outline and flesh out his ideas about the change that he believes are absolutely necessary in order for the Christian church to survive.
I will be reading all of them.
The following is my review from Audible.com based on their provided questions
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would absolutely recommend this book. I would recommend the audiobook to those who want to read but have too much travel time in their lives.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Untamed?
The most memorable moments were the discussions on God and orgasms.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
The narration was a bit deliberately 'deep and thoughtful' and occasionally dragged down the heart of the book into a monotonous plod. Someone who walked in while I was listening commented that it sounded like a brainwashing session.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I did not listen to this in one sitting, as the book is over 8 hours long, but I turned it on during commute times, and laundry-folding and distribution times.
Any additional comments?
The narrator consistently and distressingly mispronounced 'nuclear'.
I will be reading all of them.
The following is my review from Audible.com based on their provided questions
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would absolutely recommend this book. I would recommend the audiobook to those who want to read but have too much travel time in their lives.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Untamed?
The most memorable moments were the discussions on God and orgasms.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
The narration was a bit deliberately 'deep and thoughtful' and occasionally dragged down the heart of the book into a monotonous plod. Someone who walked in while I was listening commented that it sounded like a brainwashing session.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I did not listen to this in one sitting, as the book is over 8 hours long, but I turned it on during commute times, and laundry-folding and distribution times.
Any additional comments?
The narrator consistently and distressingly mispronounced 'nuclear'.
September 30, 2012
Markus Wolf
Paul Pierquet
Book Report
29 October 2012
Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship
Alan and Debra Hirsch have a message for the Western Church. The church has lost its way by re-making Jesus into her own image, by embracing consumerism, and by isolating themselves in Christian community. I found agreement and conviction in the early chapters. Some of the examples seemed unfortunate, and he quoted enough other writers to be distracting. But I appreciated the fresh perspective, and the work that he does with those outside church.
“In much of our image-making, we have sought to domesticate Jesus and make him a much more manageable lowercase –“l” lord that comfortably legitimates our lifestyle.”
However as I progressed through the book, I picked up a sort of sensationalism that was off-putting at best and unbiblical at worst. They reveled in an openly (they used the word naughty) gay man participating in communion. They named a discipleship group “Stitch-and-B*tch.” The author announced “God invented orgasms” during a wedding and was surprised (?) that some believers were offended. I wondered if those believers had brought their children. It began to feel like I was drinking from tainted water.
By the end of the book, the controversy was more memorable than the truths they were conveying. In doing so, I think that the Hirschs did a disservice to their readers. The book definitely promotes an “untamed” Christianity, but the flippancy will ostracize many sincere believers who really just wanted their ministry to be more like Jesus.
Paul Pierquet
Book Report
29 October 2012
Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship
Alan and Debra Hirsch have a message for the Western Church. The church has lost its way by re-making Jesus into her own image, by embracing consumerism, and by isolating themselves in Christian community. I found agreement and conviction in the early chapters. Some of the examples seemed unfortunate, and he quoted enough other writers to be distracting. But I appreciated the fresh perspective, and the work that he does with those outside church.
“In much of our image-making, we have sought to domesticate Jesus and make him a much more manageable lowercase –“l” lord that comfortably legitimates our lifestyle.”
However as I progressed through the book, I picked up a sort of sensationalism that was off-putting at best and unbiblical at worst. They reveled in an openly (they used the word naughty) gay man participating in communion. They named a discipleship group “Stitch-and-B*tch.” The author announced “God invented orgasms” during a wedding and was surprised (?) that some believers were offended. I wondered if those believers had brought their children. It began to feel like I was drinking from tainted water.
By the end of the book, the controversy was more memorable than the truths they were conveying. In doing so, I think that the Hirschs did a disservice to their readers. The book definitely promotes an “untamed” Christianity, but the flippancy will ostracize many sincere believers who really just wanted their ministry to be more like Jesus.
May 15, 2013
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
This book is written by a husband and wife team from their experiences in church planting.
This is not a theological book, the main thrust of this book is the comparison of Christian life between the Biblical account and the watered-down, comfortable, domesticated "tame" version of Christianity that we see so often in first world churches today.
I could see this book having a lot of impact for the Kingdom of God as a small group (or even whole church) study. There is a lot of information in this book and a lot that challenges our ingrained notions of what it means to be a Christian (or a "Christ follower" as if there was a difference), so it will take time to digest the concepts that are presented, and may even take re-reading some chapters, but the biggest challenge is applying this to our lives - without which knowledge is useless.
It may take a lot of work to "untame" our lives for the sake of Christ, but it is well worth the effort!!
Get a copy and start reading today:
Untamed - MP3 Audio download
Untamed - e-book
This book is written by a husband and wife team from their experiences in church planting.
This is not a theological book, the main thrust of this book is the comparison of Christian life between the Biblical account and the watered-down, comfortable, domesticated "tame" version of Christianity that we see so often in first world churches today.
I could see this book having a lot of impact for the Kingdom of God as a small group (or even whole church) study. There is a lot of information in this book and a lot that challenges our ingrained notions of what it means to be a Christian (or a "Christ follower" as if there was a difference), so it will take time to digest the concepts that are presented, and may even take re-reading some chapters, but the biggest challenge is applying this to our lives - without which knowledge is useless.
It may take a lot of work to "untame" our lives for the sake of Christ, but it is well worth the effort!!
Get a copy and start reading today:
Untamed - MP3 Audio download
Untamed - e-book
May 25, 2011
"Untamed" has a lot of really great content. I particularly liked the Hirsch's breakdown of love and what Christian community looks like. They had some really great personal stories that drew out their ideas of what God's love looks like. The book pulls together a lot of really great quotes from other sources to help illustrate points.
However, as a book, the writing was pretty poor. It wasn't particularly engaging. They made a lot of awkward, unfunny jokes. I feel like the Hirsch's were making an attempt to keep the book edgy and relatable and ended up detracting from the craft of writing.
There were also short cartoons throughout the book that were really distracting. They were intended to illustrate the points that the book were making, but they ended up making me wonder "how did that cartoon relate to what was going on?" rather than thinking "that really helped me understand that point".
I feel like if "Untamed" were simply made up of stories from the ministry of Alan and Debra rather than stories + jokes + cartoons + "accessible" theology that the book would have been much better.
I feel like the Hirsch's could have used a co-author to help them take their great ideas and points and make them more palatable in book form.
However, as a book, the writing was pretty poor. It wasn't particularly engaging. They made a lot of awkward, unfunny jokes. I feel like the Hirsch's were making an attempt to keep the book edgy and relatable and ended up detracting from the craft of writing.
There were also short cartoons throughout the book that were really distracting. They were intended to illustrate the points that the book were making, but they ended up making me wonder "how did that cartoon relate to what was going on?" rather than thinking "that really helped me understand that point".
I feel like if "Untamed" were simply made up of stories from the ministry of Alan and Debra rather than stories + jokes + cartoons + "accessible" theology that the book would have been much better.
I feel like the Hirsch's could have used a co-author to help them take their great ideas and points and make them more palatable in book form.
December 2, 2011
This is such a refreshing take on discipleship. The authors have taken very tricky subjects and dealt with them brilliantly. Its not airy fairy ideas, but issues they have been through themselves. That’s what I like about this book, they are talking from personal experiences and not just a load of head knowledge.
I found the theology in the first part a bit boring, but I understand it was necessary to lay a good foundation for the rest of the book. What I did like was the personal anecdotes along with the biblical excerpts of Jesus interacting with the non-religious people. I also liked the discussion topics and activities to take the issues further in your personal life.
Adam Verner does an excellent job of narrating, making it very easy to listen to.
If taken to heart, I think this book could spark something really exciting in Christians worldwide. I am sure there are a lot of us who have forgotten that we once wanted to be ‘Untamed’ and this book will really help to get us back on the right track.
Thanks to christianaudio.com’s Reviewers Program for this copy.
I found the theology in the first part a bit boring, but I understand it was necessary to lay a good foundation for the rest of the book. What I did like was the personal anecdotes along with the biblical excerpts of Jesus interacting with the non-religious people. I also liked the discussion topics and activities to take the issues further in your personal life.
Adam Verner does an excellent job of narrating, making it very easy to listen to.
If taken to heart, I think this book could spark something really exciting in Christians worldwide. I am sure there are a lot of us who have forgotten that we once wanted to be ‘Untamed’ and this book will really help to get us back on the right track.
Thanks to christianaudio.com’s Reviewers Program for this copy.
May 8, 2011
Parts of this book are really good. I think this book is weakest on cultural analysis (where they pretty much assume that the culture is middle class). The emphasis on the the Shema-shaped spirituality and the Triune God are good and helpful.
This isn't really a book about missional discipleship even though it says that. This is a book that is advocating for missional discipleship. I suppose 'a book' on missional discipleship would be a suspect endeavor because the type of lifestyle that the Hirsches are advocating for is a risky trust in the trinity and seeking to allow that to touch all of life.
This isn't really a book about missional discipleship even though it says that. This is a book that is advocating for missional discipleship. I suppose 'a book' on missional discipleship would be a suspect endeavor because the type of lifestyle that the Hirsches are advocating for is a risky trust in the trinity and seeking to allow that to touch all of life.
December 20, 2015
Hirsch is a better preacher than author. His bit on Shema spirituality is edifying, if borrowed.
Quotes:
"our most fundamental problems in discipleship have their roots in faulty views of God." (24)
(quoting Albert Nolan): "To chose [Christ] as our God is to make Him the source of our information about divinity and to refuse to superimpose upon him our own ideas of Divinity...Jesus reveals God to us; God does not reveal Jesus to us." (35)
"Zeal without proper understanding of God can actually result in sincerely opposing what God represents, and all in the name of God."(59)
"Real evil is deceptive because it looks more upright and attractive than what we might initially suspect" (61)
Quotes:
"our most fundamental problems in discipleship have their roots in faulty views of God." (24)
(quoting Albert Nolan): "To chose [Christ] as our God is to make Him the source of our information about divinity and to refuse to superimpose upon him our own ideas of Divinity...Jesus reveals God to us; God does not reveal Jesus to us." (35)
"Zeal without proper understanding of God can actually result in sincerely opposing what God represents, and all in the name of God."(59)
"Real evil is deceptive because it looks more upright and attractive than what we might initially suspect" (61)
June 21, 2010
This is a challenging book, one I hope our church will do as a small group study. It is profound, thought-provoking and never dull. Alan and Debra have numerous great stories and the book has a great variety to it. They are deep thinkers, with the primary theme of reaching broken humanity. They have lived among the most marginalized of society--prostitutes, the poor, drug addicts, transvestites--and have attempted to bring Jesus into their lives. Not by the conventional means that most Christians would do (telling them why they are wrong), but by showing how Jesus offers a better way.
August 6, 2010
Just as we often re-create Jesus in our own image (making Jesus reflect our culture, race, values, etc.), it is far too easy to put aside the biblical picture of discipleship in favor of one that mirrors our own cultural preferences and comforts. Alan and Debra Hirsch call the reader to follow “shema spirituality” (Mark 12:29-31) – a way of learning from Jesus that demands our entire selves (heart, mind, soul, and strength; e.g. family, money, sex, time) and prepares us for a mission marked by presence, proximity, powerlessness, provenience, proclamation, and passion. B
March 6, 2011
So many things about which to think. Two things that really had an impact on me is the definition of discipleship and the Image of God concept presented in this book. It has rejuvenated my life and how I see people.
May 29, 2012
This was a really challenging read. And by that I mean it challenged my lifestyle and what it means to be a Christian. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dissatisfied with their present spiritual walk and wondering what's wrong.
September 5, 2012
Untamed is a great book on discipleship. Alan and Deb Hirsch write from as missiologists and practitioners. You can tell that they are living what is being written in this book. Worth the read for sure!
March 17, 2015
Dangerous & uncomfortable, this book leans more to the theological side of understanding incarnational discipleship. While I don't agree with all of it, it is eye-opening, inspiring, & truth we have sadly strayed too far from (myself included) in Western Christianity.
Read
November 16, 2016Great book. Alan and Deb give a great argument for why the church needs to re-embrace the untamed missional persona. Definitely not going to be accepted by every church, though it should, or every follower of Jesus, but much needed for the church today.
Want to Read
March 13, 2010read some. I love it. It is a vary radical way of thinking of Jesus: a "untamed Jesus" is a great way to think it HIm. I like this point he makes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2010
Good principles for the church but nothing a boat load of other folks aren't saying. Read Total Church instead.
October 13, 2010
"Holiness is not gained by withdrawal from the world but by active, redemptive engagement in the world."
February 9, 2012
Well written.
June 4, 2012
The second Hirsch book that I have read. A very good and helpful read. Thankful to my brother and sister in law in the Czech Republic who recommended I begin reading Hirsch!
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