Dave Andrews (1)
Auteur de Christi-Anarchy
Pour les autres auteurs qui s'appellent Dave Andrews, voyez la page de désambigüisation.
A propos de l'auteur
Dave Andrews has lived and worked in intentional communities with marginalized groups of people in Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India for forty years. He is a founder of the Waiters Union; an educator for TEAR Australia; a trainer for Praxis Community Co-operative; a teacher at Christian afficher plus Heritage College; an elder emeritus for Servants to Asia's Urban Poor; and a member of AMARAH (Australian Muslim Advocates for the Rights of All Humanity). www.daveandrews.com.au afficher moins
Crédit image: Photo courtesy of Dave Andrews
Œuvres de Dave Andrews
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Membres
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In a post 9-11 world, jihad is a scary concept for many of us in the West. We look at ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas and violence done in Allah's name and we are. . .nervous. Each of these organizations represent militant, extreme versions of Islam, but isn't jihad a central tenant of Islam? Certainly we can point to some pretty terrible moments of Muslim history; however we have some terrible moments of our own: the crusades, inquisition, the holocaust (the Nazis weren't Christian, but Christians are still implicated) and more. Muslims are as perturbed by Christian violence as we are by theirs. In The Jihad of Jesus: The Sacred Nonviolent Struggle for Justice, Dave Andrews examines the mutual history of Holy War in Christianity and Islam, naming evil where he finds it and illuminating the Christian and Muslim jihad for peace
Andrews is a Christian, Anarchist, Australian committed to following Jesus consistently in the way of peace and is active in Christian community development among Aboriginals and refugees in Brisbane. He wrote The Jihad of Jesus in conversation with Muslims. While so much jihad talk moves towards fear-mongering ("they are out to get us") or damage control ("jihad doesn't mean 'holy war' it means something like 'sacred struggle'"), Andrews's dialog with Islam is characterized by both humility and truth. He isn't afraid to call certain acts evil, but he has the grace to turn the same critical eye on his own tradition, identifying where Christians have also gotten it wrong.
Andrews begins with a section entitled "The Jihad of Dajjall."(Dajjall means 'deceiver' and is kind of like a Muslim Antichrist). Chapter one explores Christian's use of 'holy war' and violence against others through out history and in our current context. Chapter two does the same for Islam. The third chapter critically engages these 'so-called holy wars' showing how in both Christianity and Islam have a history of doing evil things in the name of God. He closes this section critiquing 'closed set' religion and arguing for 'open-set' religion. Andrews contends that most of the conflicts between Christians and Muslims has happened on the boundaries:
A 'open set' approach, by contrast, focuses on the center: Isa (Jesus) and the Bismallah (the Arabic equivalent to the Shema) Rather than defining and defending religion:
So openness doesn't apply a 'looseness' in the concept of God, but an intense focus and openness to the God that sits at the center of our own tradition. Here Andrews is making a nod towards E. Stanley Jones approach to interfaith evangelism, "“Get the center right, and the circumference takes care of itself.”(76).
In part two, "The Jihad of Jesus" reframes jihad as non-violent struggle, shows how Jesus' life and teaching is our model, and recollects non-violent struggles from the history of Christianity and Islam. Chapter four begins with a look of how terrorist organizations train otherwise good people to commit heinous acts before looking at how to retool the nature of jihad. Chapter five focuses on Jesus' as our supreme example. Chapter six has other exemplars (both Christian and Muslim) and what we can learn from their non-violent jihads.
This book recovers the term Jihad and reloads it with peace, justice and spiritual vitality. Andrews exemplifies not only how Christians may behave better to our Muslim neighbors, but suggests ways that we can also be sharpened and learn from them. As a Christian reader, I appreciated how a life centered on Christ, responding in openness to Jesus, pushes me towards the struggle for non-violence. I think this is absolutely correct. It is Christendom with its empire building that makes war and violence a viable option.
I like where Andrews takes the open/closed set distinction, but I suppose I may still be somewhat closed-set. Jesus (and the early church) make some pretty exclusive claims about salvation being through Him alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). There is common ground but there will be tension at the boundaries, though the focus should remain at the center of our faith traditions. I certainly don't want to 'build a wall' at the border to 'keep Muslims out.' Dialogue is mutually edifying.
So don't let the provocative title scare you. This is a book that will encourage Christians to be more like Christ in our work for Justice. Muslim readers shouldn't be afraid either. Andrews isn't secretly trying to convert you, and he doesn't malign Islam (which is rare for Christian authors!). I give this four stars.
Note: I received this book from the publisher via, SpeakEasy in exchange or my honest review.… (plus d'informations)
Andrews is a Christian, Anarchist, Australian committed to following Jesus consistently in the way of peace and is active in Christian community development among Aboriginals and refugees in Brisbane. He wrote The Jihad of Jesus in conversation with Muslims. While so much jihad talk moves towards fear-mongering ("they are out to get us") or damage control ("jihad doesn't mean 'holy war' it means something like 'sacred struggle'"), Andrews's dialog with Islam is characterized by both humility and truth. He isn't afraid to call certain acts evil, but he has the grace to turn the same critical eye on his own tradition, identifying where Christians have also gotten it wrong.
Andrews begins with a section entitled "The Jihad of Dajjall."(Dajjall means 'deceiver' and is kind of like a Muslim Antichrist). Chapter one explores Christian's use of 'holy war' and violence against others through out history and in our current context. Chapter two does the same for Islam. The third chapter critically engages these 'so-called holy wars' showing how in both Christianity and Islam have a history of doing evil things in the name of God. He closes this section critiquing 'closed set' religion and arguing for 'open-set' religion. Andrews contends that most of the conflicts between Christians and Muslims has happened on the boundaries:
It is through defending these boundaries of belief and behavior that religious people define their religious identity. Hence Christians and Muslims have tended to fight to not only to define but also defend these boundaries of belief and behavior to the death, because not only their religious identity, but also their eternal destiny, depends on it. . . .Is [defending the boundaries] violent? Not necessarily. But normally. For three reasons. One: Christians and Muslims tend to defend their boundaries to the death. Two: the best form of defense has always been attack. And, three: there are plenty of competing groups fighting for the right to define and defend their boundaries of belief and behavior for themselves. (72)
A 'open set' approach, by contrast, focuses on the center: Isa (Jesus) and the Bismallah (the Arabic equivalent to the Shema) Rather than defining and defending religion:
The essence of open set religion is all about becoming more open to God and encouraging everyone to become more open to God. Conversion for Christians and Muslims within a closed set perspective may mean confessing the creed or the kalimah. Conversion for Christians and Muslims seen from an open set perspective means constantly turning and moving towards the compassionate spirit of God, exemplified in Isa and the Bismillah, whether we use that language or not, judging our lives, for ourselves, in the light of God’s love, and beginning to trust His love, to sustain us, on the journey of the greater jihad of personal growth and the lesser jihad of social change that He is calling us to be involved with. (75)
So openness doesn't apply a 'looseness' in the concept of God, but an intense focus and openness to the God that sits at the center of our own tradition. Here Andrews is making a nod towards E. Stanley Jones approach to interfaith evangelism, "“Get the center right, and the circumference takes care of itself.”(76).
In part two, "The Jihad of Jesus" reframes jihad as non-violent struggle, shows how Jesus' life and teaching is our model, and recollects non-violent struggles from the history of Christianity and Islam. Chapter four begins with a look of how terrorist organizations train otherwise good people to commit heinous acts before looking at how to retool the nature of jihad. Chapter five focuses on Jesus' as our supreme example. Chapter six has other exemplars (both Christian and Muslim) and what we can learn from their non-violent jihads.
This book recovers the term Jihad and reloads it with peace, justice and spiritual vitality. Andrews exemplifies not only how Christians may behave better to our Muslim neighbors, but suggests ways that we can also be sharpened and learn from them. As a Christian reader, I appreciated how a life centered on Christ, responding in openness to Jesus, pushes me towards the struggle for non-violence. I think this is absolutely correct. It is Christendom with its empire building that makes war and violence a viable option.
I like where Andrews takes the open/closed set distinction, but I suppose I may still be somewhat closed-set. Jesus (and the early church) make some pretty exclusive claims about salvation being through Him alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). There is common ground but there will be tension at the boundaries, though the focus should remain at the center of our faith traditions. I certainly don't want to 'build a wall' at the border to 'keep Muslims out.' Dialogue is mutually edifying.
So don't let the provocative title scare you. This is a book that will encourage Christians to be more like Christ in our work for Justice. Muslim readers shouldn't be afraid either. Andrews isn't secretly trying to convert you, and he doesn't malign Islam (which is rare for Christian authors!). I give this four stars.
Note: I received this book from the publisher via, SpeakEasy in exchange or my honest review.… (plus d'informations)
This is a book of praxis. It is not a theological work, nor is it a nuts and bolts handbook. It inspires and points the reader towards following Jesus' example of activism in the community. You don't walk away from this book without giving serious thought to how your own sprituality can transcend glib piety or self-centred salvationism. Dave doesn't leave you much alternative but to become engaged in the lives of others - especially those who are on society's margins - in ways which are directly modelled by the Human One (Son of Man).
Dave peppers his engaged and passionate prose with stories from his own community as well as lively and contemporary adaptations of gospel stories. Dave can be critical of the institutional churches, but that is no bad thing. I imagine Jesus would be too.
Note that this work is a revision and rewrite of an earlier book, Can You Hear the Heartbeat?… (plus d'informations)
Dave peppers his engaged and passionate prose with stories from his own community as well as lively and contemporary adaptations of gospel stories. Dave can be critical of the institutional churches, but that is no bad thing. I imagine Jesus would be too.
Note that this work is a revision and rewrite of an earlier book, Can You Hear the Heartbeat?… (plus d'informations)
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Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 21
- Membres
- 238
- Popularité
- #95,270
- Évaluation
- 4.1
- Critiques
- 3
- ISBN
- 51
- Langues
- 2
9781610978514Not Religion But Love: Practicing a Radical Spirituality of Compassion was originally published in 1999, a follow up to Andrews infamous/influential Christi-Anarchy. A 2006 edition accompanied a 2006 class Compassionate Community Work (published by Piquant Press). Wipf and Stock has republished the book (2012) with a new introduction from Brian McLaren and a forward by Charles Ringma.
The book picks up on the radical vision for personal and communal renewal that Andrews described in Christi-Anarchy (the first chapter is a summary of some of the ideas from the earlier book). This book describes how to work out Jesus' vision of love and justice in our lives and neighborhoods. Each of the nineteen chapters ends with 'ideas for meditation, discussion and action, which call us to recall, reflect and relate how we can embody Christ's relational and communal vision for justice.
The book divides into five parts. Part one, The Heart of Christ, describes Jesus' vision for compassion, justice, and gentleness as an alternative to the dominant mode of operating in society. Part two, A Heart for Breaking Barriers, describes how living into Christ's vision breaks down the barriers of futility, selfishness, fear and spitefulness that runs through our hearts. Part three, A Heart for Building Bridges, explores the work of building bridges between people through relationships and groups and through cooperation. Part four, A Heart for Bringing Growth and Change, describes how walking in Jesus' way of love brings hope, political empowerment, problem resolution and prophetic transformation. The final section, From Half Hearted to Wholehearted Humanity provides ways to press into Christ's spirituality of compassion through exploring his sayings, stories about his life, through resources, and through courses that Andrews offered (I haven't checked to see if the courses are still on offer).
This is radical spirituality in the sense that Andrews is calling us away from Christendom back to the source: Jesus Christ. He aims at helping us recover Jesus vision for spirituality and justice and his challenge to the status quo. Andrews peppers his chapters with stories of how he has tried to live out the way of Jesus in living simply, sacrificially and missionally.
I am tired of statusquo spirituality which tells people to come to Jesus but leaves them fundamentally unchanged in their to injustice, culture and everyday life. Andrews offers a vision of the life Jesus calls us to where we take up our cross and follow in his footsteps. Andrews is inspiring (with a little bit of hippy counter culture thrown in for good measure). I recommend this book for anyone else tired of status quo spirituality who wants to explore what it can look like to live out Jesus' vision of compassion. This book is challenging and makes you hunger for something more prophetic, transformative, and life-giving than some of the ways the gospel is packaged. Religion doesn't transform, the radical, relational and sacrifical love of Jesus does. This is a book about how to live Christ's lvoe out. I give it four stars.
Note: I received this book from Wipf and Stock in exchange for my honest review.… (plus d'informations)