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Our devotion to the Christian life is often reflected in the frequency and voracity of the questions we are willing to ask regarding our faith. Becoming God’s people as embodied by Jacob, who wrestled with God through the night, is the quintessential metaphor for a vibrant life of genuine discipleship. At this point in my faith journey, I am drawn to those who encourage me to ask the tough questions about what following Jesus means in my world. Tripp York inspires me accordingly. The idea that our faith has been co-opted, in some measure, by our profound sense of loyalty to our nation (and our economics) is something that needs to be examined and re-examined. We must be reminded that the values of our politics are often at odds with the values of God’s kingdom. The gospel is bigger than our nationalism; it transcends languages, borders, and political philosophies. Yet the expression of our faith does not always reflect a genuine allegiance to the gospel of the crucified Christ. As followers of Jesus, Tripp York asks us to question our true allegiance, to examine our discipleship, and to rediscover what it means to be indentured to Jesus’ kingdom vision—to be people who hunger and thirst for justice. York’s book reads like Letters to the American Church. In Third Way Allegiance, he examines three aspects of Western Christianity through essays that focus on the practice, politics, and worship expressions of our faith. He challenges his readers: Is the church narrating what it means to be an American or is America narrating what it means to be the church? He calls American Christians back to the “subversion” of grace and nonviolence and assures us that “obedience is never without effect.” He argues that our lifestyles (more than our words) should put the scandal back in discourse about God, reminds us that Christianity is not philosophically defensible, and points us back to the ideas of third-century Christians who claimed, “I believe because it is absurd.” Readers will be particularly moved by York’s references to modern-day saints: the people who, in his words, “help us understand the truths of Scripture with their lives.” People like Clarence Jordan, whose passion for racial equality and communal life in Georgia eventually birthed Habitat for Humanity; Dorothy Day, who began the Catholic Worker Movement as an advocate for the poor; and my favorite, Steve Irwin (yes, the Crocodile Hunter), who York believes embodies passion for creation and whose appetite for work has much to teach us about God’s redemptive movement. York writes with pop-culture savvy, a strong command of theology and Scripture, and a respect for church history which readers will find poignant and accessible. York’s engaging message is anything but tame. Even when I don’t agree with him, I am always challenged by his ideas. His thoughtful (and sometimes controversial) views will draw you into meaningful reflection about how your faith can be expressed in a truer, more radical way. This is certainly a book that every professor, layperson, pastor, and student should read. I believe Tripp York’s call to a different type of allegiance is something that can transform your faith in a powerful way; it certainly has mine. I invite you to turn the page with me, begin the wrestling match, and embark on your journey of allegiance to the gospel of Jesus. —Matt Litton, Author, The Mockingbird Parables: |
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