Elton Trueblood's classic blueprint to rekindle the original flames of fervor that so characterized Christianity's first years. Inspirational, yet completely in touch with the practical concerns of Christians, The Incendiary Fellowship argues that the church cannot be located in buildings but in people bold in commitment to their faith. Only Christianity can meet humanity's basic needs and spiritual hunger, but it must be a faith that is strong and assured of its value. This is the book that shows how the average Christian can join in this vital task. The Incendiary Fellowship can cast both God's light and the heat of his love across a world shivering in cold and lonely darkness.
One of the greatest interpreters of the Christian faith, Elton Trueblood has written over thirty books, including The Company of the Committed and The Humor of Christ. Dr. Trueblood lectures widely and is Professor-at-Large at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.
At the core of this book there is an extraordinary thesis that the Church is the society of ministers for every arena of human life. There are some beautiful passages, and brilliant quotes in this book. It is however, very dated at this point and somewhat cliche (or it seems so now). There are large sections of this book where modern readers will find very little benefit. Overall, its worth a skim, but not much more.
I think the title of this book set me up with inaccurate expectations. In the work, Trueblood discusses a very wide variety of topics connected to what he sees as the keys to renewal in the Church. I heartily agree with his assertions, but he covered so broad a spectrum of topics, and often did so in a way that addressed the very particular context of the culture at the moment (probably the reason the book is out of print), that it was difficult to stay engaged as he hopped to another topic as soon as you felt connected to the current one.
Any of the topics covered in this book would make a great book in themselves, but reading about all of them at once was simultaneously a bit overwhelming and underwhelming
Great book about how to build community that makes a difference...a good guide for how to live as aliens and strangers...people contrary to the culture in a Godly way living lives that would make this world better...