Irresistible Revolution

Living as an Ordinary Radical

By: Shane Claiborne

Narrated by: Shane Claiborne

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Many of us find ourselves caught somewhere between unbelieving activists and inactive believers. We can write a check to feed starving children or hold signs in the streets and feel like we've made a difference without ever encountering the faces of the suffering masses. In this book, Shane Claiborne describes an authentic faith rooted in belief, action, and love, inviting us into a movement of the Spirit that begins inside each of us and extends into a broken world.

Shane's faith led him to dress the wounds of lepers with Mother Teresa, visit families in Iraq amidst bombings, and dump $10,000 in coins and bills on Wall Street to redistribute wealth. Shane lives out this revolution each day in his local neighborhood, an impoverished community in North Philadelphia, by living among the homeless, helping local kids with homework, and "practicing resurrection" in the forgotten places of our world.

Shane's message will comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable...but will also invite us into an irresistible revolution. His is a vision for ordinary radicals ready to change the world with little acts of love.

©2006 Shane Claiborne (P)2006 Zondervan

Critic reviews

"A moving, often humorous account of a life of faith lived to the fullest." (Booklist)

Hope and challenge

I'm a listener/reader of Jim Wallis, Rob Bell and Brain McLaren -- so I thought this audiobook would be repetitive. While much of Claiborne's message is similar to the above, his voice is unique. The book is not as well articulated as McLaren or Wallis, but it is a brave call to action in an engaging, young, enthusiastic voice, illustrating the power of narrative in communicating ideas. His style might annoy some, but I liked his perky enthusiasm. If you want a preview of the book, try the American Public Radio "Speaking of Faith" podcast with Claiborne (from Audible or free at APR) . The present book fleshes out the story told there.

So I am glad I downloaded this: To an older person like me, it offers hope for the future of the church (in its universal sense). It also challenges me to live up to my previous youthful idealism for an intentionally simple life in solidarity with the poor -- something that became obscured over the years. I look forward to Claiborne's new book, "Jesus for President." Claiborne certainly packed a lot of experience (and reflection) into his life so far.

One of the best!

This is one of the best and most important books I've ever read!!! For anyone wanting more on their Christian life, give this book a listen! Maybe you won't agree with or want to implement everything (I don't), but there is so much food here!!! Challenging!!

My Step Daughter Recommended It

Any additional comments?

I'm over 50 and my 18 yr old step daughter recommended this book, both I think so that I would understand how she sees Christ and Christianity, and how I should consider it.It sat in my library for a year before I finally listened to it.It was a great book that hit right at my criticisms of church and Christianity. Churches have a challenge balancing their missions to serve and minister with maintenance and preservation. There are so many stories of pastors and church members sacrificing those they don't like so the church is a more comfortable place serving those who contribute financially or in other ways.Shane has the same concerns and addresses them in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational way.Shane talks about where he sees the churches should be; how ministering to the poor and downtrodden is one of the highest callings one can achieve, and how easy it is to lose site of this.In listening to this book I saw Christ in a more comfortable, more approachable way. His language was young and meant to appeal to youth, but I got over it.I enjoyed the read and recommend this book.

I can see the world with new eyes

There's so many things that we should know about the people around us, this book opened my eyes to see so much I can't see nor imagine it's happening around me and around the world. I always learn a lot from Shane's books. I highly recommend anyone to read this book.

I cried through the whole book

I found this book a very deeply moving fresh look at what Christianity should be. It has made me look at my life and my family in a new way. I live a life of great comfort and of excess without even realizing it. It has definitely been a very eye-opening look into Christianity in the United States.

enlightening, encouraging, refreshing

Was recommended by a friend but was dubious as so much pretend “Christian-ist” noise seems to be everywhere these days. I found Irresistible Revolution actual hopeful — not only in content but that such a contemporary book even exists. Narrative is delivered in a relaxed unpretentious style. A genesis story about a guy evolving with recognized imperfections toward a perfect target. This book has a refreshing scent amid putrefying odors emanating from corruptions of and by evangelicals so ubiquitous today as well as the dissuading and alienating hypocrisy of Christians trying to lay claim to Christ (whose sandals they actually convince the unwitting that they themselves are worthy to unlace) over the past decades/centuries.

If you are not ready to change...

If you are not ready to be radically changed do NOT read this book. This book will challenge you to flip your life upside down. How many of you are ready to do everything the Bible says and not just what is easy, How many of you would sell everything? God will separate you, are you a goat or a sheep?(Matthew 25:31-46). Shawn is a basicly a hippy activist, but he will challenge you to LOVE and surround your self with the poor.

You've Got to Think about This Stuff!

It will be tragic if the Western church does not take to heart this young man's powerful and loving critique. Recommended for Christians and those who are annoyed by them.

A book you will need to share with others.

Would you listen to Irresistible Revolution again? Why?

I would read this book again and again. I can think of maybe three other books that I can say this about, and I am a prolific reader.

What other book might you compare Irresistible Revolution to and why?

This book is kind of in a league of it's own. Any person who is sick of pedantic and dead religion will learn why they are sick, and what is needed to revolutionize a heart that is calloused to good intentions, and words without actions. There is the good theology of say, Brian Mclaren and Thomas More, back-dropping Shane's words, but best of all, and unique to this book, is that the theology is turned autobiographical. Word into flesh; actions. Blessed actions.
I can't compare this book to many, because so few have to radically chosen to live out their faith in such a profound way.

Have you listened to any of Shane Claiborne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any other of Shane's work.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book made me uncomfortable, shattering any pretense that I am doing a great thing by reading a great book. Bookism is selfish, if your interactions with others, yourself and God are not altered. I had a moment of feeling all of my life's hinges (goals, aspirations, where I place my time and energy) come loose, and imagining my life going down a different path. Then, in the weeks and days after, I set about forming new contacts and conversations that I know without a doubt is where I need to be going.

Any additional comments?

Thanks for speaking truth first in your actions Shane, it makes your words weighty, Even if you talk kinda funny, (I am far north of your strong southern accent)

Great Book.

Where does Irresistible Revolution rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

About at the top.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Irresistible Revolution?

The last chapter.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I needed to digest what was spoken.

Any additional comments?

Overall a great book, both written and audio. Shane Claiborne has a few others that are pretty good as well.