In The Briarpatch Gospel, Shayne Wheeler exposed the challenges
and trials of travelling in the thick briarpatch. Living in a complicated world
is anything but an easy task. The briarpatch is consisted of people out of our typical
circle of Christian friends. Some people try to avoid the gays, lesbians, and
bi sexual orientation, the drunks, the loners, people with tattoos, piercings,
ex-criminals, people who practice other religions, or anyone who doesn’t fit in
our group of friends. As Christians, we’re called to love one another as Christ
would. It’s important to remember that we’re not called to judge others. Who
are we to say who Christ loves more and accepts, because we have all have sinned
and fallen short at some time or another. Christ is the ultimate judge and he
died on the cross for all of humanity sins.
Shayne Wheeler’s story started when he and his wife
decided to move to Decatur, Georgia. He had a vision and a calling from God to
reach out to a community and build a church. He decided that they needed to be a
church that accepted everyone for who they are. Shayne pointed out that the
world views Christians as being judgment and condemning rather than accepting and
loving like Christ. Non-believers are watching how some professing Christians picket
military funerals and loudly and boldly say, “God hates fags”. Reading
scripture and we know that nowhere is that saying in the Bible. Shayne Wheeler
shared on page 189, “In Romans 1, homosexuality is mentioned alongside such issues
as envy, strife, gossip and slander, lack of love and mercy, even disobedience
to parents (Romans 1:29-31). It’s important to love them and not say they are
going to hell or that God hates them. Shayne Wheeler continued with, “I don’t
think the Bible supports same-sex relationships, but that does not mean I think
you love Jesus less than I do in my own struggles with things the Bible clearly
speaks against-greed, unforgiveness, or even lust. It just means we are all
sinners in need of the grace God provides for us in the cross of Jesus. Brokenness
is in all of us. We are all in this together. We are family” (Page 195).
One of the chapters covered the topic of the hidden
icebergs in our lives. Everyone knows that the dangerous part of the iceberg is
beneath the surface. It’s the part that
we hide from others that damage our lives. Shayne Wheeler discovered that the
two most problem areas people pursue is greed and sex. He stated that, “Yet
Americans-whether Christian or no-give away less than 2 percent of their income
to charitable organizations or to the poor” (Page 68). Many times we let our
sole identity become how much stuff we have and how much is in the bank
account. Sex is more of an intimacy longing and we want to be close to someone
else but isn’t just about sex. It’s a sense of wanting to be connected and we
want to be able to be ourselves with someone else. Many people turn to
pornography for a temporary relief and they believe it will make you feel
complete. But it never satisfies us for very long. Walking with Jesus through this life and
beyond means being honest with yourself and others about your weaknesses, no
matter how problematic and uncomfortable you may be.
I would recommend this magnificent book to anyone who is
looking to be shaken up and wants to be pulled out of your comfort zone. This
book is for people who are seeking a resource on dealing with the critical needs
in the world we’re living in today. If you’re aren’t willing to overcome your own
judgment and pride and befriend gays, bi, and lesbians, the drunks, people struggling with addictions, drugs,
ex-criminals, and anyone who doesn’t seem like you, then this book might not be
for you. It’s written for the radical people who are desperately trying to
become like Christ. Christians, it’s time to reach out and show the love of
Christ to all people especially people who we wouldn’t choose to be our friend.
Shayne Wheeler had excellence points presented in the book that I know will
offend most people. But loving others is a risk that we must take in order to
become like Christ! This book will transform your life if you let it!
Tyndale House Publishers/Tyndale Momentum has provided me
with a complimentary copy of this book.
If
you would like to purchase a copy of The Briarpatch Gospel check it out on
Amazon.com:
Check
out the book trailer:
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