I just finished reading Erwin Raphael McManus's new book The Barbarian Way. In it he calls us to leave behind a civilized, safe religion and join with Christ in a spiritual revolution. There are many thoughts worth quoting, here's one:
The barbarian revolt is an insurrection that defies the treaty between civilization and the powers of the dark world. We will not stand by and watch humanity sell its soul to gain the world. We will not be seduced by the comforts offered us if only we would compromise. We cannot pretend that all there is, is what we can see. Barbarians know the world of spirit. We know there is a darkness that subversively corrupts the hearts of men, and to do nothing is to be complicit.
I long to follow the barbarian way, to throw off the fashionable attire of respectability and let loose a great battle cry. However, I don't think I would keep my job for very long if I did. I like most mainline pastors that I know serve a civilized congregation. We have been seduced by comfort and sold our souls to gain worldly admiration. We've become "nice" people and have become complicit in the corruption of the world.
The church needs leaders like J.R.R. Tolkien's Strider. There was an aura of mystery and danger that surrounded Strider when the hobbits first encountered him in Bree. Civilized people were suspicious of this ranger from the north. When he lead Frodo and his friends out of Bree, he took them into the wilderness. The going was hard and uncomfortable for the unadventurous hobbits. Strider had no time for a second breakfast or the other self-indulgences the hobbits were accustomed to. He was undeterred when they complained and when they questioned where he was taking them. Strider knew what needed to be done and was supremely confident that he could get them where they needed to go.
A barbarian leader in the church who desires to take the people to a new place will face complaints and questions. Congregations that have been domesticated and civilized aren't comfortable in the wildness of mission and ministry. The question I find myself asking is "Do I believe enough in the barbarian way to lay aside my fears and follow Christ wherever he may lead?"
What a great book. Gets me all fired up. I'm trying to get my daughter to read it because I'm afraid I've spent too much of my life being civilized and have raised her in the same way.
You know, John, and the rest of you guys who describe yourselves as mainliners, we're all in the same boat. Evangelicals churches have the same settled people. I think it is important that we all live barbarian before God and let the chips fall where they may. Is the life of faith worth living (no matter your position in the church) if it is lived safely?
Posted by: Joe Pritchett | January 20, 2006 at 10:02 AM
This book sounds reminiscent of Robert E. Howard's writings about barbarianism. Among other things,he said that barbarian societies were polite, because the price of being rude was getting your skull cleaved in two. In barbarian societies, there is a closer connection between your actions and the consequences which follow.
Posted by: John | January 23, 2006 at 09:12 AM
What a wonderful book, I work in a Christain bookstore and read this book about 8 months ago. There is something about the barbarian way that appeals to me, which causes some internal conflict as I am a candidate for minisrty in the UMC. I'm going to push forward as a "barbarian" as Edwin calls it and see where I land. I have rasied some eyebrows and ruffeled some feathers, but have not been dismissed (yet). We (UMC) need people to challenge the status quo, perhaps the barbarian way is one "doctrine" that the UMC needs.
(I know, a barbarian in a bookstore...strange)
Good luck to all those barbarians in sheep's clothing - Frank
Posted by: Frank | January 23, 2006 at 12:51 PM