A creative, entertaining approach to resurrecting the undead church.
There is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: life. Real faith--and a real relationship with Jesus--is not about playing by the rules, attending services, and praying before meals. Real faith is more than religion.
Believing there is a way to breathe life back into the church, Tyler Edwards adopts a contemporary and entertaining metaphor--zombies--to highlight and challenge the problematic attitude of today’s believers.
Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus.
While other books have addressed legalism in the church, this is the only book that effectively capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre in order to diagnose and correct the problem. Realizing that even his own church is part of that problem, Edwards has written an accessible and often humorous book that will help believers change the Spirit-draining (or life-draining) habits that stop them from achieving a full, fulfilling life in Christ. Order a copy here.
About Tyler Edwards:
Tyler Edwards is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in Joplin, Missouri, where he works to help people learn how to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and look like Jesus—so they carry out the mission of Jesus to the world. He graduated from Ozark Christian College with bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Literature and Christian Ministry. He has written articles for Lookout Magazine, spoken at various campus ministry events in Missouri, and served overseas in Mbale, Uganda.
Tyler loves cheesy horror films. He is particularly fond of movies like Dawn of the Dead, The Signal, and 28 Days Later, where zombies run wild and threaten to infect an entire town. Connect with Tyler on Facebook.
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What did I think of this book?
At first it intrigued me because of the title. Everything is coming up zombies (and vampires and dragons) lately! I started into the book, hopeful.
In the end, it doesn’t really change the way I see or think of the church today. On page 22, he has a little shout-out box that reads: “When a church stops behaving like Jesus, it stops offering the life it advertises.” I agree with this. A few pages later we read: “Life will not be found in a denomination, in a practice, in a custom, in a rule, or in a building.” True again. Much later (dealing with the “Rotten Mind”) he says: “Trying to know God without knowing His word is like trying to make a friend without actually listening to what the person says.” But here is a statement that I completely disagree with: “It can be scary and overwhelming to try to get to know God on your own, so don’t.” Hmmm… scary possibly and overwhelming very plausible but not worthy even of trying to do on one’s own?
I know the purpose for the last statement is to advocate the church (he does say in the book that going to church isn’t necessary to be a Christian but that’s like saying that a fish doesn’t have to be in water to be a fish).
The book was a 3 out of 5 stars because although the title is fairly unique (as is the inclusion of zombies in reference to the church), the subject matter (the lukewarm, dead, loveless church) isn’t unique. And I do think it is a subject that needs to be looked at but from God…His word, not a book that presents a humans views. One that ‘capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre’.
The book was a 3 out of 5 stars because Edwards has a lot of relevant points and he uses examples and scripture to back up what he is saying. The inclusion of everyday life examples is helpful to see that this is taking place around the world, in churches we may attend, a church on the corner down the road. It isn’t something that is exclusive to where he lives; it is every where.
“We” cannot change the church. God can change the church, if that is His will. We are to follow God (as individuals who make up the church) and He will make us new creatures. Alive not “undead”.
You can see the list of those on the blog tour here. Read their reviews 
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TWEET THIS: Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards - a fair-minded & tenderhearted critique of the church http://ow.ly/6Nv05 @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon
FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss Edwards - a fair-minded and tenderhearted critique of the church. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13424384 Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus. Share this for a chance at $50 to Amazon.com
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Disclaimer: I received this book from LitFuse free in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for your review of the book, it is nice to know that it is not addressing a localized issue but a wide spread and relevant one. While for some the material covered in Zombie Church may not be much new other than the metaphor the people I hope to reach with the book are those who are struggling with the church and who have given up on the idea of being a part of its community. It is great to spend private time with God and to get to know Him on a personal level, but cutting out the community where the fullness of the Spirit of God dwells limits our access and understanding of God as He reveals Himself in different ways to different people and it is only together that we can see the fullest expression and revelation of who God is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the read and review I hope the book can bless those who are in need of hope in the church.
Here's my Tweet Proof!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/erinxduh/status/122230831015145472
panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com