The Underground Church - by Robin Meyers (Hardcover)

About the Book

Prominent progressive writer, speaker, and minister Meyers proposes that the best way to recapture the spirit of the early Christian church is to recognize that Jesus-following was and must be again "subversive" in the best sense of the word because the gospel taken seriously turns the world upside down.

Book Synopsis

A new way to follow Jesus that draws on old ways of following Him

The Underground Church proposes that the faithful recapture the spirit of the early church with its emphasis on what Christians do rather than what they believe. Prominent progressive writer, speaker, and minister Robin Meyers proposes that the best way to recapture the spirit of the early Christian church is to recognize that Jesus-following was and must be again subversive in the best sense of the word because the gospel taken seriously turns the world upside down.

No matter how the church may organize itself or worship, the defining characteristic of church of the future will be its Jesus-inspired countercultural witness.

• Debunks commonly held beliefs about the early church and offers a vision for the future rooted in the past
• Proposes that the church of the future must leave doctrinal tribalism behind and seek a unity of mission instead
• Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said,"Robin Meyers has spoken truth to power, and the church he loves will never be the same."

From the Back Cover

"Dear reader, I hope that you do not find the word crazy to be offensive when used to describe Jesus of Nazareth. It is not meant to be irreverent, or dismissive, or even shocking in the service of selling a book. It is meant to be true--as in real."
--FROM CHAPTER ONE

The Underground Church is a radical book that proposes a radical idea: we need to recapture the spirit of the early church with its emphasis on what Christians do rather than what they believe. Written by the prominent minister, teacher, speaker, and writer, Robin Meyers, The Underground Church posits that the best way to recapture the spirit of The Way is to recognize that Jesus-following was--and must be again--subversive in the best sense of the word. Instead of endless theological and political arguments, the church must be more concerned with being loving than with being right.

Meyers offers a potent antidote for organized-religion-as-usual--suggesting that until being a follower of Jesus is dangerous again we will continue to bless the status quo instead of transforming it. We must return to our culturally and socially subversive roots and live by the two most powerful words in the gospel "Fear not." No matter how the church may organize itself or worship, the defining characteristic of the Beloved Community should be its love of justice and its countercultural compassion for all people.

It is time to stop arguing about who is saved and who is lost, who is the elect and who is the damned, who is chosen and who is "Left Behind." Are we in it for ourselves or for others? Are we willing to be transformed by God, or will we continue to play god? Is going to church about looking decent or about being undone by a radical gospel? Can we do mission work across our differences, or will our differences define us? The Underground Church will provide healthy, inclusive, dignified options for living in a world saturated with sickness, separation, and indignity. In short, we will not try to get people up into heaven. We will try to get heaven to come down to earth.

Review Quotes

[STARRED REVIEW] Meyers (Why the Christian Right Is Wrong) offers a number of subversive ideas in his latest, reminding readers that Jesus came to feed the hungry, wage nonviolence, and generally afflict the comfortable in his day. Today, the comfortable are seated in the pews of Christian churches, worshiping idols at twilight. Like many who use a traditional, prophetic voice, Meyers has a talent for putting theology on the ground and in the midst of life. Jesus really does mean for us to feed people, as he did: hospitality is a cardinal Christian virtue. So is nonviolence, but it's so hard that most fail at a practice that demands discipline and sacrifice. Meyers calls for other practices running counter to the prevailing imperial culture, including low or no-interest moneylending and tithing, which may startle middle-class mainline Protestant churchgoers. Going back to basics is not a new idea, but Meyers writes with energy, intelligence, and conviction, adding to the choir calling for Christianity in a new key. (Feb.) (Publishers Weekly, December 21, 2011)

About the Author

Robin Meyers is a nationally known United Church of Christ minister and peace activist. His congregation describes itself as unapologetically Christian and unapologetically liberal (mayflowerucc.org). He writes for Christian Century, is an award-winning commentator for NPR, and a professor of rhetoric in the philosophy department at Oklahoma City University. He is married to Shawn Meyers, an artist, and they are the parents of three children, Blue, Chelsea, and Cass. More information can be found at www.robinmeyers.com