Gerald L. Sittser - Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian Third Way Changed the World

A clear and accessible account of the early church coming to terms with what happened in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus (what do we believe?) and the impact those events had on daily life (how do we live differently because of what we believe?). The early church lived as faithful Christ-followers in an empire hostile to their beliefs and behaviors, and as traditionally Christian countries become more hostile to Christian faith, contemporary Christians would do well to go back to these early sources of faith. Sittsers book takes an enormity of information about the early church and presents it in an inviting way. You will learn doctrine, church history, and formation practices, but most of all youll come away inspired by these first Christians and challenged to follow Jesus with the same level of devotion and sacrifice that they did.

Mary S. Hulst , college chaplain, Calvin College

I wish I could make this exceptional new book by Gerald L. Sittser required reading for all contemporary Christians. With questions swirling about the relevance and contributions of the Christian faith today, Sittser presents a winsome picture of the many ways that the earliest Christians contributed to the world around them through their distinctive way of life. In the face of a crisis of discipleship and formation in the contemporary church, Sittser reminds us of all that we can learn from the ways the earliest Christians were formed into improvisational disciples who could seek Gods kingdom every day, right where they were. Exploring the formative role of worship and the intentional process of formation that developed in the early church, Sittser helps us look back so that we can more faithfully move forward in our complex cultural moment, embodying our faith in ways that eschew both accommodation and separation. If you have appreciated the works of Alexander Schmemann, Jamie Smith, Kevin Vanhoozer, or Sam Wells, you will love this book.

Kristen Deede Johnson , Western Theological Seminary

I have the privilege of knowing Jerry Sittser up close. For most of the past twenty years we have co-led reading groups for pastors. We met for lively discussion around applying the insights of ancient Christian sources to our lives and ministries. Jerry is a first-rate scholar who cares deeply about the church and its leaders. His passion is to reconnect the academy and the church. This book is a beautiful example of that synergy of scholarship and ministry application. Pastors will find it not only educational but helpful and practical as they consider how to make disciples in our post-Christendom setting. Jerry has done us a great favor, pointing us forward by helping us look back.

Joe Wittwer , lead pastor of Life Center, Spokane, Washington, and sending pastor of seventeen daughter and granddaughter churches

In this stimulating book Gerald Sittser powerfully argues that the gospel message can reverse the continued decline and superficiality of Western Christianity. His constructive analysis demonstrates that the Christian faith is most resilient against culture when it is most deeply grounded in Jesus Christ. To counter current trends Sittser recovers the ancient practice of the catechumenate to transform stagnant believers into dynamic disciples. Anyone concerned about the contemporary health of the Western church will profit from this insightful study. This deeply researched and highly readable book is enriched by a wisely annotated collection of sources that can guide interested readers in further study. For weary and frustrated Christians, I highly recommend it!

Tom Schwanda , Wheaton College

The mainline and evangelical church needs the refreshing hope Jerry Sittsers book Resilient Faith provides. Historical. Applicable. Mind stretching. Christ centered.

Bob Bouwer , author, church coach, and senior pastor of Faith Church (RCA), a multiplying movement of six-plus churches

Rather than surrender to gloom and pessimism about the future of the church, Sittser fills this book with hope. Sittser uses the early church as the model, and he enthusiastically describes their ability to thrive, flourish, and expand in a hostile culture by thoroughly inculcating the tenets of the Christian faith into new believers.

Kay Warren , bestselling author and cofounder of Saddleback Church

Its hard to find a book that is both scholarly and accessible to a general reading audience. Gerald Sittser believes his vocation is to write this kind of book, and hes done so in Resilient Faith .

Chris Hall , president of Renovar