Invisible Jesus by Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips Book Review

About the Book: 

In recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of Christians who are "deconstructing" their faith, critically analyzing Christianity and finding that it falls short. Many end up leaving behind the beliefs and commitments they formerly held. While many have written on how to reverse this trend, Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips believe that rather than dismissing these concerns we need to listen more carefully.

Deconstructors are uncovering serious weaknesses in today's church--a renewed fundamentalism, toxic leadership, and legalistic thinking among them. Utilizing the results of recent studies by Pew, Gallup, and others, McKnight and Phillips take a careful look at what deconstructors are really saying, seeking to better understand why many are shedding elements of the faith and church of their youth but also engaging in a reconstruction process, finding Jesus afresh. They are losing their religion, but not losing Jesus.

Filled with stories of those who have walked the path of deconstruction without losing their faith, Invisible Jesus is a prophetic call to examine ourselves and discern if the faith we practice and the church we belong to is really representative of the Jesus we follow. Each chapter looks at a different topic and offers biblical reflections that call for us to not only better listen, but to change how we live out our faith as followers of Jesus today.

My Review:

This is certainly a thought provoking book, whether one agrees with all the theology of McKnight and Phillips or not. Rather than criticizing and discounting those leaving the church, let us learn from them, find out what is in their hearts and minds. Could what we are experiencing really be a prophetic movement?

I think these authors are on to something very important for today's church. Church leaders would do well to read and discuss this book. Is the church's focus Jesus or a flashy worship service and singing catchy songs? Has the desire for earthly power crept in to the leadership? Are people being encouraged to be like Jesus.

As with nearly every book on Christian theology, this one too needs to be weighed against Scripture. (Or perhaps is it my interpretation of Scripture?) McKnight and Phillips have brought up issues Christians need to contemplate and discuss. I recommend this book for those willing to deeply think about their church's focus, worship and ministry in general.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Authors:

Scot McKnight (PhD, Nottingham) has been a Professor of New Testament for more than four decades. He is the author of more than ninety books, including the award-winning The Jesus Creed as well as The King Jesus Gospel, A Fellowship of Differents, One.Life, The Blue Parakeet, Revelation for the Rest of Us, and Kingdom Conspiracy.

Tommy Preson Phillips is pastor at Watermark Church in Tampa, Florida. He is also a songwriter and a recording artist with his band Preson Phillips. He holds an MA in New Testament from Northern Seminary. His writing can be found at tommypresonphillips.substack.com.

Zondervan, 240 pages.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)