Book Review: Jesus Has Left The Building
Jesus Has Left The Building
By Paul Vieira (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)
Paul Vieira, a post-modern, Gen Xer, shares his experience within the traditional (institutional) church and his call to “leave the building” so that he could encounter a more “organic” church experience.
What he seeks is something that is more in line with the church that Jesus started and as shown in the gospel accounts.
Just as Jesus “left the building,” both then and, in many respects, now, he is calling his church to follow suit, leaving the comfortable confines of a building and going out into society, just as he did. Vieira shares seven secrets or lessons that can be gleaned from the church that Jesus started.
Drawing parallels between today and the message of Jeremiah and the example of Daniel, Vieira encourages Jesus’ followers to do the same.
They are to act counter-cultural (as Jeremiah called the Israelites to do) within their society so that they can be God’s voice when called upon.
Today’s institutional church has been marginalized and discredited; society no longer looks there for answers.
However, a Jesus follower, truly engaged with his or her culture, can be a source that people turn to for real answers (as was the case with Daniel).
[Jesus Has Left The Building, by Paul Vieira. Published by Karis Publishing, Inc., 2006, ISBN: 978-0971804081, 276 pages.]
Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.