Reenacting the Way (of Jesus): How can you follow Jesus when you don't know what he was doing?

by Paul T. Penley

How can you follow Jesus when you don't know what he was doing? Jesus' actions were making culturally relevant statements to his contemporaries. We can do the same today. Grab the book, some friends, and reenact the way (of Jesus).

Endless books have been written about the teachings of Jesus. Fewer books have set out to explain his actions. That is what Reenacting the Way (of Jesus) does. We figure out the meaning of Jesus' most mysterious actions in the Gospels. Then we take action ourselves.

We all know the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words." However, not many of us understand what Jesus' more mysterious actions were trying to say. For example, why did Jesus cast demons into pigs that ran down a hill and drowned themselves in the Sea of Galilee? Why did Jesus miraculously turn water into wine to keep the wedding party going in Cana? Why did Jesus walk out on the water with the intent to "pass by" as his disciples struggled? Reenacting the Way answers each one of these questions and more. The book goes beyond his sayings and answers tough questions about his doings. In the end, the reader finds that Jesus' nearly inexplicable actions were making culturally relevant statements to his contemporaries. That gives us a pattern for reenacting the purposes behind Jesus' way in culturally profound ways for our world.

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2012

About the author

I have had a fast-paced life from day one. I've lived all over the U.S. and travelled around the world. I've been a professor, ghost writer, scholar, varsity soccer coach, philanthropic advisor, speaker, author, auto mechanic, and janitor (that was my character-building job in high school!). I studied Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic as I explored the art and science of interpreting Scripture in undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Then, I picked up German and French and travelled to Israel, Egypt, Turkey and Greece as I completed a Ph.D. from Trinity's Divinity School. I've presented my biblical and historical research in college courses and national scholars' meetings, at Sunday school classes and church retreats, at Bible conference centers and small groups. I've worked philanthropically in Uganda, Kenya, Kosovo, Mexico, Bolivia, and beyond. I've presented strategies for effective giving for the Philanthropy Roundtable, Alliance magazine, the Association of Small Foundations blog and Outcomes magazine. I have spent years analyzing best practices among nonprofits and designing systems for measuring outcomes. I thrive on figuring things out and making informed decisions. Both my academic and popular writing should reflect that analytical and practical combination of values. I hope my learning and life benefit you as you read the words I've written.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical guide to orthopraxy (right actions) rather than orthodoxy (right thinking).

[Dave Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing and unexpected depth of research and insight. I get so tired of hearing cream-puff Christianity. This book handles Jesus' actions with determined vigor and leaves no stones unturned. Whether you agree or disagree with Paul's conclusions will not deter you from absorbing all that he has to present. It may take you a little while to digest it all, but the effort will expand your thinking and probably bring you into a much better relationship with the Lord.

Paul is a skilled writer and communicator. He lays out his ideas in an interesting and sometimes even playful fashion, drawing students into his interesting lecture methodology. I would recommend this work to any pastor, lay person or student who desires more than a watered down social gospel.


- by Dave Paul Campbell: Pro Writer at a 30 million dollar international corporation; Freelance writer; published author and self published author.

[Jerri L]

i enjoyed the book because it gave me practical ways to do what jesus was calling us to do. plus the historical and cultural background of when and what jesus was saying to the people of his day was made much clearer. i have not had the opportunity to travel and study the cultural background of jesus days and i am glad someone will share their knowledge and experience.

[Chris Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to learn how to be a better follower of Jesus? Read Paul Penley's fresh and engaging new book. Not only will you learn a lot about how to follow Jesus better, you'll have lots of laughs in the learning process.