The Jesus Paradigm

by David Alan Black

The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying? Writer, scholar, teacher, and missionary Dr. David Alan Black thinks that the answer does not lie in the politics of the left or the right. In fact, he doesn't think that Jesus tells us what our politics should be. He doesn't see answers in Christian nationalism. But even further, he sees serious flaws in the very structure of our churches and denominations that prevent us from truly being obedient to the gospel. The solution lies, not in renewal, revival, or even in reformation, but rather in restoration a restoration of the church organized as Jesus intended it and according to the example provided by the earliest church sources in the New Testament. To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm to The Jesus Paradigm.

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2009

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Read this for my NT class at SEBTS and found it super challenging and so good. My favorite chapter was about Jesus and politics.

[Seandots On · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lays out an excellent argument on instead of us “going to church” we should be the church. Dr. Black tries to show us that the Anabaptist tradition has some clues to how we are to live in the world today. Will we take Jesus seriously?

[Parker McGoldrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The call to follow Jesus is simple, and yet we’ve complicated it so much. Thank you Dr. Black for reminding us of the selfless and the upside-down way of Jesus.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is its thesis: Biblical Christianity is fundamentally about serving others, and Black describes what that is supposed to entail. He is, admirably, a man who practices what he preaches. The book's greatest shortcoming is, in my opinion, that he applies this theme too simplistically in his discussion of American politics.

[T.J. Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be one of the better books I’ve ever read. It contains a clear reminder of our calling to follow Jesus and commentary on how we have managed to convolute a clear and simple invitation to follow Christ. A must read in my opinion.