Subversive Kingdom: Living as Agents of Gospel Transformation

by Ed Stetzer

The world is broken-- more so than we know. But for those who know that Christ is coming to establish a new and perfect order, ours is not just a world to endure but a world to invade. Believers have not been stationed here on earth merely to subsist but to actively subvert the enemy's attempts at blinding people in unbelief and burying them under heartbreaking loads of human need.

The kingdom of God changes all that.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Faith

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Ed Stetzer, PhD, holds the Billy Graham Distinguished Chair for Church, Mission, and Evangelism at Wheaton College and is the dean of the School of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership at Wheaton College. He also serves as the executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton. Stetzer is a prolific author and a well-known conference speaker. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; holds two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and has written or cowritten more than a dozen books and hundreds of articles.

Stetzer is a contributing editor for Christianity Today and a columnist for Outreach magazine. He is frequently interviewed for or cited in news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. He is also the executive editor of The Gospel Project, a bible study curriculum used by more than one million people each week.

Stetzer cohosts BreakPoint This Week, a radio broadcast that airs on more than four hundred media outlets. He serves as the interim teaching pastor at The Moody Church in Chicago. Stetzer lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with his wife, Donna, and their three daughters.



You can also connect with Ed on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Ruth Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so appreciative of Christian books that really make you stop and think, and this is definitely one of them. The author continues to bring you back to the Bible, and he reminds you of our purpose in this world. It has nothing to do with getting everyone to like us and feel good. Our mission is to shake things up a bit. The enemy actively controls this world, and we are in a war against his powers. We are called to live a life like Christ and glorify Him in this world.

This is a heavy book, and it is meant to be digested slowly. This first reading was so overwhelming that I plan to keep this around and digest it in small pieces. And it shouldn't surprise us that this is a deep book. After all, this is from the guy who read the World Book encyclopedia for fun as a child! (Not kidding--check it out!) I would recommend this book to believers who truly want to go deeper in their relationship with God.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

[John Ready Reader One · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. That being said it is pretty standard evangelistic content just with a newish name of being subversive. Nothing ground breaking but for someome new to the info will appreciate it.

[Tom Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world is in crisis. On the one hand, religious fanatics (some calling themselves Christian) are increasingly focusing on exterminating those who differ. On the other hand, socially liberal elements are becoming increasingly more belligerent in imposing their lifestyle and beliefs on others. In the midst, a growing secular humanism that strives for conformity whatever the cost and cultural “police” making sure that “politically correct” is the language of the day, transforming our progeny into “cultural robots” and conformist. All of these elements and more are tearing at the very fabric of human existence. What is the church to do? How can individuals who claim Christ as Lord respond? This is a clarion call to live life as if Jesus has made a difference in who we are. Not as the dominant elements that force all those around us to conform to our understanding of “Christian mores and values”, but as subversive elements that work counter culturally amazing people by our difference so that they, too, will begin to see the difference that Jesus can make in their lives. Living like transformed elements in a world that is in crisis is tough, but it is what Jesus calls us to do. Modeling his difference as we go about our 9 to 5 job whatever that might be. That’s being subversive, and the world will not know what to do about it or how to respond. It is how Jesus and the early church drew those around them to the Gospel. As Stetzer points out, it is how he expects us to do it too.

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest: I’m always a little nervous when I start reading books with words like “radical” or “manifesto” or “secret” in the title. Or, while we’re at it, words like “subversive.” I don’t get nervous because I’m particularly afraid I’ll find the book too challenging; I get nervous because I’m afraid the book can’t live up to the hype.

I recently threw caution to the wind and decided to read Ed Stetzer’s latest, Subversive Kingdom: Living as Agents of Gospel Transformation (B&H). I follow Ed on Twitter, generally enjoying what he has to say, and having not read any of his previous works, I decided it was about time...

- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/2012/0...

[Casey Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good challenging book for Christians to read. About being on mission for God and not just living comfortable consumer driven church lives.

We are called to be apart of God's mission. His mission is to redeem a people for Himself. We are the instruments He uses to do that redeeming. The problem is that we often do not see ourselves in that capacity. Stetzer takes time in this book to correct that thinking, so that we see ourselves as agents of gospel change. He calls us to live in rebellion against the rebellion. To subvert the rule of Satan with the gospel.

I would recommend all pastors, lay leaders, and congregants read this book.

[Christi mancha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Others stated this book was "pretty standard stuff" for a book of this type. while that may be true to a point, a large part of that is the fact that the Bible is the same yesterday, today and forever. when we read and re-read it, or write about it, it's the same book and same principles. I felt this book took an interesting idea about Christians subverting the larger world culture and then challenged us this live what the Bible has always said to. It did so in an interesting and engaging way. I've felt the challenge and conviction of it. I'd recommend this book if you want to feel challenged to live kingdom minded.

[mike choate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...

Ed Stetzer is a talented writer, but I found it difficult to read what seemed like, to me, another"how to trick people into loving Christ by giving them stuff or presenting another gimmick for sorta kinda presenting the Gospel. Some floodlights find the ideas presented, novel, but for me, they seemed a contrived and I would not use this approach or mindset for witnessing.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty standard stuff for a book of this type. It had a few good quotes in it--but unfortunately I had the audiobook version so I couldn't highlight them. Also had some really great stuff on some of Jesus's parables.

[John Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subversion...

Good read on the subversive nature of God's Kingdom. With a culture becoming increasingly adverse to the gospel, the church needs to start thinking in subversive ways.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, probably to give to Christians who need to become aware of the mission around them, spends its time in Jesus' parables and the Sermon on the Mount.

[Jill Lejcar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great primer if you're not in a culture of gospel fluency; reinforcement if you are.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far...very good book.

[Jeanie]

Kindle price reduction to 4.99