Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals, by Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw and Friends is embarking on a virtual Blog Tour this spring! This summer we'll be embarking on a real tour of 22 cities, which you can learn more about below. In the meantime, we don't want to wait until the summer to spread the message of Jesus for President. So, we'd like to invite you to participate in our Blog Tour this spring.
What's a Blog Tour you ask? It's quite simple. Along with your own comments on your blog, you are invited to share portions of Jesus for President's message, videos, audio, visuals, widget, tours dates, and websites on your blog. We'll outline each of these below, and then give you more details on how your blog can participate in the Jesus for President Blog Tour at the bottom of this post. We will be watching all of the blogs participating in the Blog Tour. Shane, Chris and friends will occasionally pop in and visit blogs and leave a comment in the comments section of participating blogs.
Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals
by Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw And Friends
A different kind of campaign.
A different kind of party.
A different kind of Commander in Chief.
Amid all the buzz of politics and elections, Jesus for President is a refreshing reminder that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in the Jesus who gave his life for us. Politics for ordinary radicals who want to love the world into the kingdom of God.
Jesus for President is a radical manifesto to awaken the Christian political imagination, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in Jesus and the incarnation of the peculiar politic of the church as a people “set apart” from this world. In what can be termed lyrical theology, Jesus for President poetically weaves together words and images to sing (rather than dictate) its message. It is a collaboration of Shane Claiborne’s writing and stories, Chris Haw’s reflections and research, and art and design.
Drawing upon the work of biblical theologians, the lessons of church history, and the examples of modern-day saints and ordinary radicals, Jesus for President stirs the imagination of what the Church could look like if it placed its faith in Jesus instead of Caesar.
A fresh look at Christianity and empire, Jesus for President transcends questions of “Should I vote or not?” and “Which candidate?” by thinking creatively about the fundamental issues of faith and allegiance. It’s written for those who seek to follow Jesus, rediscover the spirit of the early church, and incarnate the kingdom of God.
Three Degrees of Separation from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.
Khakis, blue jeans, and dungarees graced the stage at this public event in San Diego. The generational differences between these three Evangelical leaders seemed obvious. But this lively conversation revealed a shared theology that guides these three men — Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne — as they interpret and live out their values in varying ways.
Here, as part of a Speaking of Faith production, Krista Tippett moderates this panel seminar at the 2008 National Pastors Convention.
Produced and edited by Trent Gilliss, Mitch Hanley, and Colleen Scheck.
What is your reaction to the discussion Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne have in this video? Please post up in the "Comments" section below.
Coming soon to cities across the empire…
JUNE 23 - GRAND RAPIDS
JUNE 24 - INDIANAPOLIS
JUNE 25 - CINCINNATI
JUNE 26 - PITTSBURGH
JUNE 27 - WASHINGTON DC
JUNE 28 - NEW YORK CITY
JUNE 29 - HARTFORD
JUNE 30 - TORONTO, CANADA
JULY 4 - CORNERSTONE FESTIVAL
JULY 7 - DENVER
JULY 11 - SAN FRANCISCO
JULY 12 - FRESNO
JULY 13 - LOS ANGELES
JULY 15 - ALBUQUERQUE
JULY 16 - LUBBOCK
JULY 17 - DALLAS
JULY 19 - ATLANTA
JULY 20 - ORLANDO
JULY 22 - RALEIGH/DURHAM
JULY 23 - RICHMOND
JULY 26 - PHILADELPHIA
All events begin at 7pm. Venues are posted here.
To participate in the Jesus for President Blog Tour, here are the steps:
1. Post up the subject "Jesus for President Blog Tour" and type away your comments about Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals. If you've read the book or are reading it, please post up your review of the book.
2. In your blog posting you're encouraged to share the message, the videos, the audio, the visuals, the widget, the tours dates, and the websites on your blog - all of these can be found above. Need the embed code for the videos? You can get the codes here, here, and here.
3. In your blog posting, please do send link people to this blog posting, so that others can participate in the blog tour as well. Our permalink URL to send folks back to is: http://zondervan.typepad.com/zondervan/2008/03/jesus-for-pre-1.html
4. Come back to this page and leave the permalink URL to your Jesus for President Blog Tour posting in our Comments. This is how Shane, Chris, and friends will be able to visit your blog.
5. We can't promise this for every blog, but on occasion Shane, Chris, or friends will leave a comment in the comments section of your blog posting on the Jesus for President Blog Tour.
6. Any questions on this blog tour? Please post them up in the comments section below, and we'll answer them there. We figure others may have the same question you do, so we'll answer it for everyone.
7. Thank you for participating in the Jesus for President Blog Tour! Let the tour begin!
Matthew 7:15 - "Beware of False Prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Matthew 24:24 - "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible even the elect."
Your book astounds, and apalls me. It is nothing but liberal political propaganda using Christianity as a cloak, which angers me beyond words. The Lord says to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's. To say that there is nothing in this world worth fighting for, is unbelievable. The Bible says in the end times, there will be many false prophets. Your book is a stain on Christianity, and a shameless propaganda tool. It spits in the face of those who throughout history have fought, and died for freedom, and the greater good of humanity. I am not defending the government, nor the war we are currently involved in; that is another subject. However, I am defending those, like my grandfather, who were willing to give it all to make this place we call a temporary home a better place to live. George Washington, an outspoken follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, led a revolution for freedom. He spoke of the love of the Lord and his disdain for war, but did what was necessary. I do not love war, I do not love killing, but we must do what we must, even if it involves warfare. The authors of this book owe an apology to those throughout history who have served in the defense of the defenseless. Your book focuses on the love of God, which is the key to Christianity, but leaves out the end result. He will come again to judge the earth, and rid it of evil.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
Revelations 19:14-15 - "And the armies in Heaven, clothed in fine linen white, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself trends the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Posted by: A true follower of Jesus Christ | May 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Jesus is running for President? Wow! Interesting to hear that he's moved off of that "My Kingdom is not of this world" claptrap--that was sooooooooo 1st Century.
Posted by: Buford McSwain | May 20, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Wow, the book concisely put into words what I have struggled with for about 5 years. I left my 'Mennonite church' when it took up patriotic arms and forgot about being a peace church and I am now drifting attempting to find a fellowship home. As I struggle with this I am quit frankly overwhelmed. I have guilt in the destruction and sinfulness that our economic and political way of life has on the world but pragmatically how does one change in the overwhelming Babylon? Even the authors admit to compromising at some degree. Thankfully there is grace as we struggle through this. I look forward to a pragmatic follow up. Thanks for an awesome book.
Posted by: catherine | May 27, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Really tough (in a good, thought provoking way) book. Hope to see you on the "real" tour, but here is my blog tour post.
http://milkmanreturns.blogspot.com/2008/05/jesus-for-president-blog-tour.html
Posted by: Chris | May 28, 2008 at 01:47 PM
God Bless.
Posted by: Les Stevens | June 04, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Just read it - have mixed feelings, but as usual with Claiborne, I'm challenged in a way that can only be good. What caught me off-guard about this book is that though there is talk of faith, miracles, and the prophetic, I see the solutions to the world's problems presented as humanism dressed up in Christianity. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh. I could definitely be wrong and hope I am about that, but maybe I'm just interpreting the authors' attempts to provide practical solutions to Christian counter-cultural living.
Any way, here's my review: http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=jesus-for-president-review
Feel free to visit and give your own feedback, letting me know how wrong I am.
Posted by: Jeff Goins | June 04, 2008 at 12:00 PM
rather... MIS-interpreting... that's what I meant to say...
Posted by: Jeff Goins | June 04, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I have previously posted part 1 above but neglected to include the link I see.
In Part 1 I Share how my 17 year old son swiped my copy, the effects on him, and my initial thoughts on the book. It can be read at http://notesalongtheway.blogspot.com/2008/04/jesus-for-president-blog-tour.html
Having completed the book, I have posted my reflections at Jesus For President Blog Tour Part 2. http://notesalongtheway.blogspot.com/2008/06/jesus-for-president-blog-tour-part-2.html
Posted by: Keith Adams | June 06, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Just posted a review on our online magazine. Check it out here: http://www.wreckedfortheordinary.com/category.asp?category=adventure&filename=jesus-for-president-long-live-the-slaughtered-lamb
Posted by: Wrecked for the Ordinary | June 10, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I've been reading "The Irresistable Revolution" and now I understand why I feel closest to God, not in our stuffy congregation, but having spent 6 months living in a Hostel for the Homeless, and now in a Flat in what is understood to be "the most deprived area in Scotland"! God is so good!
Posted by: Mark MacLeod | June 11, 2008 at 07:21 AM
On the first night of the tour, I just want to say God give you O.R. conspirators energy and peace and love every step of the way.
Posted by: Jeff Boyd | June 23, 2008 at 09:31 PM
i went with a couple friends from church to the indianapolis stop. before this i had never heard of shane. i had a great time its awesome to hear someone who has the same ideals me and my friends have. in spite of how great it was i feel bad for chris, his dog ran off before they went on stage and during intermission they found out she was hit by a car. my prayers are with them.
Posted by: dave silcox | June 25, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I attended the session in Indianapolis. It is wonderful to imagine the influence these activities may have on our society. It has been 40 years(...of wandering in the desert?) since a 'movement' by young radicals with different ideas resulted in a downward spiral of our society, which continues. I pray for your success in arrival to the promise land.
http://listen.family.org/miscdaily/A000001306.cfm
Five Bad Ideas from the 1960s
A brief summary of points from our radio program "Baby Boomers Look Back."
Print this page Forward to a friend On Focus on the Family's radio program titled "Baby Boomers Look Back," Dr. James Dobson identifies five major cultural shifts which gained popular acceptance in the late 1960s. These cultural shifts can be expressed in the following ways:
"Drug usage makes for great recreational sport, especially when you're young."
"God is dead. May He rest in peace."
"Premarital, extramarital and perverted sex are moral and healthy if done 'properly' and with mutual consent."
"Radical feminism offers the only justice and equality for women."
"Divorce is an easy way out for the frustrated, disappointed or adventuresome."
Posted by: Dan | June 25, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I attended the part of Jesus for President event here in Pittsburgh (I only stayed for the first half -- left after a four person all white male band got up for intermission). I went because I was curious to hear Shane Claiborne, as I hear is being talked about as the next Jim Wallis.
I felt a bit like an anthropologist looking in...in many ways it had the same energy as Sojourners worship in 1980, same emphasis, same age group, and a very white crowd in a mixed neighborhood. But what puzzled me was how male those up front were -- which leads me to wonder, does this new "reimaging" have no role for women but to sell T-shirts in the back?....at least women were up front at Sojourners 30 years ago.
Posted by: Paola from Pittsburgh | June 26, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I echo many of the comments already made. I, too, have been seriously challenged and influenced by Shane Claiborne's books, but I, too, wonder how it differs from the best liberal thought. Of course, maybe Jesus was a liberal radical.
Anyways, I've been blogging on and off about the effects this book has had on me and where it has led my thinking, since April 15th, at my blog: www.spirituality-psychology.blogspot.com. I welcome visitors!
Posted by: Andy Tix | June 28, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I think it is great that you are spreading new of social activism...but Jesus wasn't always a peacemaker. Wasn't it Jesus who violently threw the tables over in the temple? Peace at times comes through overthrowing of evil, just as Jesus overthrew the tax collectors in the temple. Also revelation dives much deeper into wars for faith. I encourage you to not take "samples" from the Bible to push your agenda, but rather look at Jesus in EVERYTHING he did. Yes I am for peace, as was Jesus, but peace will never be reached as long as evil is allowed to go unchecked. Jesus became angry, Jesus even became violent at times, but he did it not in sin, but to punish those who were doing evil things. I think the book conveniently leaves that part out.
Posted by: Sally | June 30, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Great, another nut. The last thing we need is more talk about jesus. We need to end the ridiculous war waged between religions to attain peace, not talk more about zealous preaching of outdated philosophy.
Posted by: Steven | June 30, 2008 at 06:11 PM
If Jesus was elected, he would officially be the first Jewish President!
Posted by: Louis Himmelstein | June 30, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Would love to see chapter and verse on how Jesus "stood up to the romans"
Posted by: charlie | June 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Outdated philosophy?? I am not attaching any commentary or philosophy to my wording. It comes straight from the Bible. Yes the Bible is dated, it is incredibly old in terms of years, but don't take it and twist it and call it outdated. Christianity is not a religion, being a christ follower is about a relationship with our lord and savior and wanting to be more like him. But being more like him involves looking at everything he did- not just the things he did that fit nice and neat with the lifestyle i want to live. As far as calling me a nut- good job there, you are just like Christ.
Posted by: Sally | July 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM