The Insanity of Obedience

Walking with Jesus in Tough Places

By: Nik Ripken, Barry Stricker

Narrated by: Joe Geoffrey

All Christian disciples have one thing in common: As they carry the Gospel across the ocean and across the street, persecution will become the norm for those who choose to follow Jesus. How believers respond in the face of persecution reveals everything about their level of faith and obedience.

The Insanity of Obedience is a bold challenge to global discipleship. Nik Ripken exposes the danger of safe Christianity and calls listeners to something greater. The Insanity of Obedience challenges Christians in the same provocative way that Jesus did. This book dares you - and prepares you - to cross the street and the oceans with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Some of Jesus' instructions sound uncomfortable and are potentially dangerous. We may be initially encouraged by his declaration, "I am sending you out." But how are we to respond when he then tells us that he is sending us out "like sheep among wolves"? In light of the words of Jesus, how can modern-day believers rest comfortably in the status quo? How can we embrace casual faith in light of the radical commands of Jesus, which are anything but casual?

Ripken brings decades of ministry experience in some of the most persecuted areas of the world to bear on our understanding of faith in Jesus. The Insanity of Obedience is a call to roll up your sleeves...and to follow and partner with Jesus in the toughest places on this planet.

"We have the high privilege of answering Jesus' call to go," Ripken says. "But let us be clear about this: We go on his terms, not ours. If we go at all, we go as sheep among wolves." Jesus gives us himself. And he gives us the tools necessary for those who dare to journey with him.

©2015 eChristian (P)2015 eChristian

Learn how to live in the coming persecutions.

Eye opening story's how Christians outside of the protection of the West live life day by day, minute by minute. They learn to be wise as serpents and inasent as doves.

A great resource for missionaries

This is a wonderful resource for missionaries of all types. It gives excellent feedback on what God has been doing throughout the world and ways to engage cultures different from our own. It gives strong recommendations on church, planting, and appropriate warnings on mismanagement. of our positioning, especially coming from the west.

Christians are alled to suffer and live a victorious faith

Wow. This is a must read for those considering missions work, particularly in hard places where there is no gospel witness, no church and no Bible. The insights serve to encourage those sent out ones and their sending agencies to avoid making mistakes that are avoidable if they educate themselves with the material in this book. What stood out most was the inspiring faith of the persecuted believers who can teach us about truly standing for Jesus in the face of fear. May God grant me the courage to do the same as I endeavor to serve Him.

Poses all the tough - and right! - questions

Ripken's challenges to Christians are critically important. His writing, the syntax, leaves something to be desired. The reader, too, is a little sleepy. Neither of these criticisms should discourage a thoughtful Believer from enjoying the book, however. I am a Reformed, Covenental Christian and disagreed with some of Ripken's analyses, particularly regarding baptism. Every Christian in the Western world, no doubt, will have a disagreement with at least something in Ripken's book because he challenges so many Western norms and delves boldly into topics over which Believers joined in Christ have peacefully argued about since the first century. Ripken's thought-provoking words were a great blessing to me and I heartily recommend the book.

A must read

Excellent book. So encouraging and challenging at the same time. A must read for all workers going overseas.