Subversive
Jesus by Craig Greenfield
Have you ever considered what life would look like
on the wrong side of the tracks? In this
new book, Subversive Jesus by Craig Greenfield, Craig calls his readers to peer
into a life devoted to helping the messiest of people, from drug dealers to the
impoverished, from homeless to the abusers.
What is most amazing in his journey is that he takes Jesus’ call to love
the poor and to love his neighbor so seriously that he puts his family right
into the middle of these situations.
From Cambodia to Vancouver, this book is filled with eye opening
adventures, subversive ways of helping the hurting and seeking to release them
from the bondage of addictions. Yet, the
book is really a wake-up call to those living comfortably to think how God is
calling them to reach out to those all around them who they’ve never even met.
Coming back from a trip to Cambodia for over six
month, Craig realizes something quite striking, he writes, “As I searched the
Scriptures, it dawned on me that the Jesus I had embraced in my privileged
upbringing might not represent the good news for the poor and the oppressed
(18).” The domesticated and tame Jesus
of western culture doesn’t quite rock the boat or reach through the sectors of
middle class America into the heart of the broken. Not only this, but Craig came to grips with
the truth that his own faith didn’t make a mark against the injustice around
him too (19). After finding a partner in
the faith and a wife in Nay, who herself had seen the face of oppression in
Cambodia, Craig decided to go back after school to minister in the Cambodian
slums. This is not generally a thought
that is entertained by graduating seminarians, but Craig and Nay knew that this
was the path for them.
One of the great things about the book was the Craig
and those whom he ministered with called those who were ministered to to help
out in the house. Mike, “the Smokes Guy,”
who found Craig’s apartment came over for dinner many times. He knew that he could help by cooking, so he
came by, never clean by Craig’s standards, but made a meal with much
commotion. Mike told others that Craig’s
place was a house where you didn’t stand in line and wait but they treat you
like a human being. This kind of dignity
that Craig showed those who came by offered a lot to people who were used to
abuse and demeaning undignified responses to their appearances and person.
Overall, this book is a real good look into helping
the poor, having heart for those in hard times, and learning to live out of our
faith rather than our comfort.
Thanks to Zondervan and BookLookBloggers for the
copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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