Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49123 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 332 pages

Synopsis
"Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture" presents a biblical, Christian worldview for the emergent church - people who are not at home in the traditional church or in the secular world. As exiles of both, they must create their own worldview that integrates their Christian beliefs with the contemporary world. "Exiles" seeks to integrate all aspects of life and decision-making and to develop the characteristics of a Christian life lived intentionally within emerging (postmodern) culture. It presents a plea for a dynamic, life-affirming, robust Christian faith that can be lived successfully in the post-Christian world of twenty-first century Western society. This book will present a Christian lifestyle that can be lived in non-religious categories and be attractive to not-yet Christians. Such a worldview takes ecology and politics seriously. It offers a positive response to the workplace, the arts, feminism, mystery and worship. "Exiles" seeks to develop a framework that will allow Christians to live boldly and courageously in a world that no longer values the culture of the church, but does greatly value many of the things the Bible speaks positively about.

This book suggests that there us more to being a Christian than meets the eye. It explores the secret, unseen nooks and crannies in the life of a Christian and suggests that faith is about more than church attendance and belief in God. Written in a conversational, easy-to-read style, "Exiles" is aimed at church leaders, pastors and laypersons and seeks to address complex issues in a simple manner. It includes helpful photographs and diagrams.

Customer Reviews

a compelling vision for the spiritually marginalised
I really enjoyed Frost's earlier book, The Shaping of Things to Come, so I picked this one up without hesitation. It's a book written for those who find themselves on the outside of church, or somewhere between the church and culture, and it seeks to explore a vision for Christian living in this 'wilderness'.

In the first part of the book Frost explores the idea of the exile through God's people, and through Jesus himself as an exile. He then delivers something of a manifesto for non-institutional christian living, based around community, generosity, authenticity, service, and whole-life discipleship. Finally, he shows how Christians outside the mainstream church have the opportunity to model good attitudes back to society and the church, particularly where we have failed in the past on issues such as justice and the environment.

I should warn you that one or two friends who have borrowed my copy felt that Frost was overly dismissive of the institutional church, so if you're part of one it's best to be prepared for a bit of a critique - but critique is important, and we must value those that can offer it gently and intelligently. Personally I found it an inspiring and refreshing read, with a good balance between Bible content and contemporary examples, and I'd recommend it.

looking for a home
Exiles is an excellent and challenging look at the current state of the church. Specifically it addresses the alienation many believers feel when confronted with the mega brand churches that now represent success. Forst's critque of modern worship songs is equally as provoking. But this is not just a book to rubbish things and moan - the challenge is to engage both Jesus and modern society creatively and scope a Christian lifestyle for the 21st Century, rather than create an psuedo-society where one can hide from the realities and temptations of post-Christendom.