I've just about finished reading Sweet and Viola's book, and I'm not sure what to say about it. Sometimes I find Viola's attitude towards the church a little irritating if I'm honest. It was the same in Reimaging the Church.
But, Jesus Manifesto is a really good, challenging and inspiring book. There is much to commend it's central message. As the jacket notes says:
Christians have made the gospel about so many things-things other than Christ. Religious concepts, ideas, doctrines, strategies, methods, techniques, and formulas have all eclipsed the beauty, the glory and the reality of the Lord Jesus Himself... We know a lot about trying to be like Jesus, but very little about living by His indwelling life.
Perhaps the book is unnerving because it goes to the heart of what it means to be the church, to be an authentic follower of Christ in whom and through whom Jesus lives and ministers. In doing so the authors challenge much that has been taught and continues to be taught. Perhaps too it's uncomfortable to think that all the sermons you've every preached may be rejected as inaccurate and un-gospel!
If you're evangelical and keep telling everyone that "it's all about Jesus", this book might just make you stop and think about what you really mean when you say that.
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