The GOD of Intimacy and Action – Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism and Justice – by Campolo, Tony and Darling, Mary Albert
Campolo, Tony and Darling, Mary Albert – The GOD of Intimacy and Action – Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism and Justice – Jossey-Bass – A Wiley Imprint, San Francisco, CA Copyright © 2007 by Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling.
This is a sorely needed book that is very difficult to write. Mary Albert Darling is a very gifted writer and spiritual sojourner. The care and practical approach to this subject conveyed by Darling’s writing make this book worthy of consumption and ongoing reference. (The editorial hand of Sheryl Fullerton is quite evident in the book as well). Tony Campolo’s contribution to the work appears to be more of a book end approach, tying in the main contribution of Mary Albert Darling, and providing context for the message of the book — a noteworthy contribution.
The first 100 pages of this book were slow for me. However, Darling’s main contribution (beginning at page 92) was well worth wading through those pages waiting for a second wind. This is not a book you can read and put on the shelf. This book is meant to be a companion. It is intended to be portable to allow one to possess a guide for learning to incorporate The Prayer of Examen, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer into one’s daily life. Furthermore, these practices produce consequences: greater intimacy with Christ accompanied by a heightened sensitivity to live the Gospel and serve ‘the other’ in this, His Kingdom.
I recommend this book. Mary Albert Darling is clearly a voice that probably would not be widely heard unless packaged with a name like Campolo. I look forward to future contributions from Mary. Until then, I have work to do embracing the myriad blessings she shares in this book, by learning and incorporating the practices she illustrates so profoundly in this book, in my life.
I enjoyed some of the following quotes that might get your attention:
“There is something more to the Christian life than right beliefs and right behavior.” P. xiv.
“Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said that in a society where everyone is Christian, no one is Christian. In such societies, biblical imperatives get watered down to the lowest common denominator. The radical nature of Jesus’ life and nature becomes something of a curiosity at best, or a threat at worst, to those who are seduced in to believing that following Jesus is nothing more than being a nice, honest and decent citizen. It is much more than that.” P. 17.
“Being converted to Christ requires that my eyes be opened to how society is structured, particularly in ways that that favor certain groups to the detriment of others. This conversion implies that I am to work at a systemic level top build societies that are intrinsically just, with just infrastructures.” P. 18.
“True Christianity works to liberate oppressed people and heal oppressed creation, not to legitimate their oppression.” P. 42.
“Prophets do not preach a message that the religious establishment, which usually calls for passive submission to those in the ruling socio-economic order, would prefer. Instead, prophets pronounce alternatives to tyrannies of the status quo.” P. 44.
“But very few who are called prophets of God are, according to the scriptures, especially gifted for their calling, which may make them difficult to recognize.” P. 45.
“Intimacy with Christ begins with learning new ways to live, which means we need to unlearn some old ways of living, since the lessons of the past can block us in understanding the lessons of the future.” P. 70.
“It is essential that I regularly hide God’s word in my heart, not just in my mind.” P. 115
“If we know that Christianity is a relationship much more than a religion, why do we often live as if the opposite were true? Many of us continue to live with our system of beliefs about Jesus instead of living with Jesus.” P. 119
“We all need help in discovering, and committing to, the radical life Jesus wants us to live.” P. 147
“We have been saved not by good works, but to do good works.” P. 210
Buy the book. This is one of those books that should be shaped like an oval with a strap or clip on it so you can’t even consider putting it on a bookshelf after you have read it. Take it with you every day for 6 months. Contact Mary Albert Darling at the end of the six month period and share with her how Jesus has revealed new dimensions of His life in you through the practices so exquisitely shared in this book.
