Over the weekend, I finished Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck's new book, Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion. For those of you who have not read it yet, let me offer a few thoughts.- It reads quickly and easily, much like Why We're Not Emergent.
- And like Why We're Not Emergent, DeYoung's chapters are more didactic and Kluck's are more narrative.
- Both men write with wit and humor, which makes for enjoyable reading.
- The book provides a realistic and honest discussion of actual problems with the church (problems often posed by critics), but it does so without discrediting the value and necessity of the church.
- They respond to the church's critics head on but with charity and humility.
- It is a clear and sound call for believers to love that institution which Christ shed his precious blood for, namely the church.
- It is a great book to give to all the twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings you know who have become disillusioned with the church.
- Along those same lines, I would think it would be a very helpful book to give to college students (especially those at Christian colleges who sometimes see little need for the local church).
- Chapter 6 ("Brief Interviews: Snapshots of Churched People") seemed unnecessary and out of place.
- There were several typos throughout the book. I'm not sure if Moody Publishers are to blame or the authors themselves, but it needed better editing.
- On the whole though, I found it to be helpful and would certainly recommend it.
- And I think it accomplished its stated purpose:
My aim is to present to the body of Christ, and for anyone else who cares to listen, a picture of why we should be in the church. Indeed, being a part of a church - and learning to love it - is good for your soul, biblically responsible, and pleasing to God.
And I don't mean the "church" that consists of three guys drinking pumpkin spiced lattes at Starbucks talking about the spirituality of the Violent Femmes and why Sex in the City is really profound. I mean the local church that meets - wherever you want it to meet - but exults in the cross of Christ; sings songs to a holy and loving God; has church officers, good preaching, celebrates the sacraments, exercises discpline; and takes an offering. This is the church that combines freedom and form in corporate worship, has old people and young, artsy types and NASCAR junkies, seekers and stalwarts, and probably has bulletins and by-laws.
The church we love is as flawed and messed up as we are, but she's Christ's bride nonetheless. And I might as well have a basement without a house or a head without a body as despise the wife my Savior loves.
--Taken from the Introduction (written by Kevin DeYoung)
