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Insanity
The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places
Wise Sheep Among the Wolves
All Christian disciples have one thing in 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 readers 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 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.
All Christian disciples have one thing in 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 readers 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 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.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2013
About the author
Nik Ripken
10 books102 followersNik Ripken is the world's leading expert on the persecuted church in Muslim contexts. He is a missions veteran of 30 years, having served primarily in North Africa and the Middle East. He is the author of The Insanity of God and the new book The Insanity of Obedience. He and his wife have done extensive research on the persecuted church, and on Muslim background believers, in approximately 72 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
January 5, 2019
I really, really, REALLY wish I had read this book four years ago before I got on a plane and said goodbye to America. There is so much practical advice I could have learned here instead of slowly through mistakes and trial and error during my time in Turkey. I can't tell you how often I a light bulb went on where I was like "Oh, that's why this works!" or more often, "Duh. Why didn't I realize that? No wonder I've been moving in circles getting nowhere."
This book is primarily a manual for those who are serving God overseas in difficult places. It is most certainly not, however, a book exclusively for them (us). Anyone who has a heart to help be a sender or an intercessor (please, we need more of you) for those who have gone could greatly benefit from this as well. It will help give a better understanding of what is going through the heart of both those sent ones and the church that is living under persecution. It can help people pray wiser, more targeted prayers.
There are two small things I was not really a fan of, however in this otherwise excellent book. 1) Ripken is a much bigger fan of numbered lists and "boxed up order". I feel that sometimes he is trying to fit dissimilar experiences or interview results together so that everything can fall nicely into his list of seven... (or 9, or 13, or...) Sometimes he also does this with scripture. Ripken is sharing a valid and true point, but then he includes an illustration or application from scripture that doesn't quite fit the context or lesson that scripture story is meant to share. Examples from Abraham and the story of the Ethiopian eunuch come to mind, but the biggest of these for me was his use of the terms Pre-pentecostal, Pentecostal, and post-Pentecostal churches. While what he is saying is valid, the use of these terms in my opinion completely distorts what Pentecost is and what it means for the church today.
In all, this is an excellent book that I believe everyone would benefit from reading, but it should also be mandatory reading for anyone who feels God's call to serve Him within the 10-40 window.
This book is primarily a manual for those who are serving God overseas in difficult places. It is most certainly not, however, a book exclusively for them (us). Anyone who has a heart to help be a sender or an intercessor (please, we need more of you) for those who have gone could greatly benefit from this as well. It will help give a better understanding of what is going through the heart of both those sent ones and the church that is living under persecution. It can help people pray wiser, more targeted prayers.
There are two small things I was not really a fan of, however in this otherwise excellent book. 1) Ripken is a much bigger fan of numbered lists and "boxed up order". I feel that sometimes he is trying to fit dissimilar experiences or interview results together so that everything can fall nicely into his list of seven... (or 9, or 13, or...) Sometimes he also does this with scripture. Ripken is sharing a valid and true point, but then he includes an illustration or application from scripture that doesn't quite fit the context or lesson that scripture story is meant to share. Examples from Abraham and the story of the Ethiopian eunuch come to mind, but the biggest of these for me was his use of the terms Pre-pentecostal, Pentecostal, and post-Pentecostal churches. While what he is saying is valid, the use of these terms in my opinion completely distorts what Pentecost is and what it means for the church today.
In all, this is an excellent book that I believe everyone would benefit from reading, but it should also be mandatory reading for anyone who feels God's call to serve Him within the 10-40 window.
June 10, 2023
Yes yes and yes. This is a book needed by all Christians
November 4, 2014
If Nik Ripkin’s The Insanity of God got us to open our eyes to God’s movement and the amazing faith of those living in places of severe persecution, then The Insanity of Obedience is its natural follow-up. It is basically a practical primer about how to actually go forth and live and do God’s work in such places. Awareness followed by action.
Ripkin refers to some of the stories he laid out in more detail in The Insanity of God, but uses them mainly to illustrate other concepts like setting organizational priorities, how to create the most functional overseas mission team, and the importance of native language, culture and leaders to truly create disciples in persecuted areas.
At first glance, it may seem as though only those considering going on overseas missions should read this book; however, I don’t think that’s necessarily true. This book gives a perspective not often heard in the West about doing “foreign” missions, which makes me rethink the structures in place in my own church as well as our approach. All that being said, I do believe that there is room for other perspectives when discussing global missions. Ripkin by no means puts out his insights as definitive, and we should avoid the temptation to take them that way.
Ripkin refers to some of the stories he laid out in more detail in The Insanity of God, but uses them mainly to illustrate other concepts like setting organizational priorities, how to create the most functional overseas mission team, and the importance of native language, culture and leaders to truly create disciples in persecuted areas.
At first glance, it may seem as though only those considering going on overseas missions should read this book; however, I don’t think that’s necessarily true. This book gives a perspective not often heard in the West about doing “foreign” missions, which makes me rethink the structures in place in my own church as well as our approach. All that being said, I do believe that there is room for other perspectives when discussing global missions. Ripkin by no means puts out his insights as definitive, and we should avoid the temptation to take them that way.
August 13, 2023
Wow — so much wisdom in this book. It’s definitely one I’d highly recommend to current/future global workers.
Some highlights based on the authors research and data:
- Most Muslims come to faith after 10 pm (I had never considered this)
- The Bible you know by heart is YOUR Bible (so convicting)
- It is a rare worker who works hard to stay among the lost — we have to model how to stay among the wolves.
- Secondary persecution dramatically diminishes when the M knows the language and culture.
- Most Muslims accept Jesus only after death of the father (had never considered this, but it does line up with much of what I’ve seen).
- The hardest part isn’t going, it’s not staying, it’s sending our children.
Some highlights based on the authors research and data:
- Most Muslims come to faith after 10 pm (I had never considered this)
- The Bible you know by heart is YOUR Bible (so convicting)
- It is a rare worker who works hard to stay among the lost — we have to model how to stay among the wolves.
- Secondary persecution dramatically diminishes when the M knows the language and culture.
- Most Muslims accept Jesus only after death of the father (had never considered this, but it does line up with much of what I’ve seen).
- The hardest part isn’t going, it’s not staying, it’s sending our children.
May 20, 2016
Probably the hardest Christian book I've ever read. Nik doesn't pull any punches in this book, and if you're a Christian in the west, or even a missionary sent by the west, you will likely read this book with a twinge of guilt.
I enjoy reading books about missionaries and Christians overseas because they are a great encouragement to live a life more devoted to Christ. The last book by Nik, The Insanity of God, was one of my all time favorites because it tells many, many stories of persecuted Christians around the world today. I was encouraged to pray longer and with great expectancy. I saw believers that fasted without hesitation is many circumstances, and that spurred me to start doing the same. I saw believers that had virtually zero affinity for "things," and again, I was encouraged to simplify and focus on what really matters. Those are just a few of the things the last book accomplished in my life.
This book was just plain hard. I like hard messages, and yet this book frequently made me think that we're a lost cause. He never says that, but I definitely felt like that. Often in the book the case is made that Western Christians (sending organizations, missionaries, believers in the west) are doing more harm than good in places where Christians are truly persecuted. At one point during the book I wanted to stop reading because I felt like I needed time to absorb, repent, and heal. It's a hard message to hear that well intentioned, God-fearing people, are doing more harm than good in the very lives and areas they desire to impact the most.
But fortunately Nik doesn't end the book there. As I continued to read, there were some very practical steps to improving and learning from our mistakes. In fact, Nik states clearly that some of what he has learned came from his own mistakes in Somalia.
I do think the book is a bit much to fully take in with a single reading. I feel like it may be best to read chapters at a time and discuss with others. While the first book is full of stories about persecuted Christians around the world, this book is probably 85% philosophical or logistical. He peppers the book with anecdotes here and there, but for the most part it is a treatise on following after Jesus in a world that guarantees persecution for those that follow after the high calling of Jesus.
I enjoy reading books about missionaries and Christians overseas because they are a great encouragement to live a life more devoted to Christ. The last book by Nik, The Insanity of God, was one of my all time favorites because it tells many, many stories of persecuted Christians around the world today. I was encouraged to pray longer and with great expectancy. I saw believers that fasted without hesitation is many circumstances, and that spurred me to start doing the same. I saw believers that had virtually zero affinity for "things," and again, I was encouraged to simplify and focus on what really matters. Those are just a few of the things the last book accomplished in my life.
This book was just plain hard. I like hard messages, and yet this book frequently made me think that we're a lost cause. He never says that, but I definitely felt like that. Often in the book the case is made that Western Christians (sending organizations, missionaries, believers in the west) are doing more harm than good in places where Christians are truly persecuted. At one point during the book I wanted to stop reading because I felt like I needed time to absorb, repent, and heal. It's a hard message to hear that well intentioned, God-fearing people, are doing more harm than good in the very lives and areas they desire to impact the most.
But fortunately Nik doesn't end the book there. As I continued to read, there were some very practical steps to improving and learning from our mistakes. In fact, Nik states clearly that some of what he has learned came from his own mistakes in Somalia.
I do think the book is a bit much to fully take in with a single reading. I feel like it may be best to read chapters at a time and discuss with others. While the first book is full of stories about persecuted Christians around the world, this book is probably 85% philosophical or logistical. He peppers the book with anecdotes here and there, but for the most part it is a treatise on following after Jesus in a world that guarantees persecution for those that follow after the high calling of Jesus.
August 2, 2023
This book was excellent, encouraging, and challenged some of my thinking. It was more about missions strategy and work in a foreign context than I expected so I only gave it 3 stars. However, for anyone working overseas, I'd give it 4.5.
August 28, 2022
An urgent study for every missionary, to be read in a posture of prayer!
March 25, 2016
This book was a hard read. It was not what I was expecting. After reading The Insanity of God, I was expecting more of the same kind of stories. This book, however, was more of an instruction manual. The blurb on the back cover said, "...as they carry the gospel across the ocean and across the street..." So I was expecting a two-fold challenge; a challenge to go on missions and a challenge to share the gospel at home. It was much more a book about missions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone planning on going to the mission field. That is why I will be passing this book on to Krystle Leach if she is interested. This book was very challenging to the Western Christian to rethink about the way we "do" missions.
February 29, 2020
I enjoyed The Insanity of Obedience. Even though I'm not a missionary (and I think the intended audience of the book was rather vague in that department), I took a lot out of it and I think any Christian can. It's eye-opening as it pertains to persecution and the usual approach of missionaries and sending agencies. Nik Ripken and his wife have conducted many interviews with persecuted believers that really help to solidify his points and suggested methods. At the least, I've come out of it with a better knowledge of how to pray for persecuted believers, a better awareness of their situation(s), and application to my own life as I seek to show others what it looks like to be a follower of Christ.
March 31, 2020
The book was assigned to me as required reading for a missiology class. Despite the differing tradition and many misguided specific directions that follow from it, I am really thankful that this book exists. Its main message for the urgency of missions as well as a deep embracing of suffering and persecutions is utterly needed in the modern evangelical church. I would've written it differently but it would not hold the same effect. Overall, I'm glad Ripken wrote it and positively surprised with the result. It's a countercultural, radical call to see persecution and think through the issues it brings to missions.
March 1, 2023
this book is really challenging. I recommend it to everyone who wants to understand missionary work, or to those who want to challenge their faith. this book took me three week to finish because almost every chapter challenges what you know and believe about evangelism.
i am giving it four stars because i wish most topics were discussed even more, and for chapters to be longer.
i am giving it four stars because i wish most topics were discussed even more, and for chapters to be longer.
January 24, 2023
These stories make me cry every time and make me think we are doing it wrong here in the US. We put too many rules on it. Put it simply, in spite of fear talk about Jesus anyway.
December 23, 2023
This book broke me in a way few books have. Highly recommend!
April 5, 2024
3.5 stars [Missiology]
(W: 3.08, U: 4.33, T: 3.67)
Exact rating: 3.69
#3 of 22 in genre
My first reading was in 2014. Ten years later, myself on the field for almost 10 years and reading it alongside other field workers, some of his assertions were revealed to be overgeneralized or overbold. The boldness appealed to me sitting amidst the ennui of America, but emanated a different vibration from the line. Much is quite true, and is echoed in other, serious missions books. But some ideas, which may be eminently true in Somalia or Russia, aren't true everywhere and the author's assertions ought to have contained a few more caveats in order for his bell to chime truer.
The 'Needs triangles' in Chapter 6 seemed particularly misguided, not mirroring the biblical praxis in which care and allegiance is for Jesus first, then family, then Body of Christ, then all else. He seemed to champion the triangle with "Needs of the Lost" on the top vertex—and that ordering has led to destroyed families, burnout, and field departure for such a long time that it was baffling that it was proposed as the correct triangle.
Nevertheless, Ripken's report remains of good missiological utility. The author and his wife conducted hundreds of interviews of Christians in the persecuted church around the world. I recommend this book to Christians, but especially Westerners, intending to "go" in missions of any duration.
(W: 3.08, U: 4.33, T: 3.67)
Exact rating: 3.69
#3 of 22 in genre
My first reading was in 2014. Ten years later, myself on the field for almost 10 years and reading it alongside other field workers, some of his assertions were revealed to be overgeneralized or overbold. The boldness appealed to me sitting amidst the ennui of America, but emanated a different vibration from the line. Much is quite true, and is echoed in other, serious missions books. But some ideas, which may be eminently true in Somalia or Russia, aren't true everywhere and the author's assertions ought to have contained a few more caveats in order for his bell to chime truer.
The 'Needs triangles' in Chapter 6 seemed particularly misguided, not mirroring the biblical praxis in which care and allegiance is for Jesus first, then family, then Body of Christ, then all else. He seemed to champion the triangle with "Needs of the Lost" on the top vertex—and that ordering has led to destroyed families, burnout, and field departure for such a long time that it was baffling that it was proposed as the correct triangle.
Nevertheless, Ripken's report remains of good missiological utility. The author and his wife conducted hundreds of interviews of Christians in the persecuted church around the world. I recommend this book to Christians, but especially Westerners, intending to "go" in missions of any duration.
October 12, 2018
There are many fantastic lessons in this book, however in so many places the authors come up with their own ideas instead of simply looking to see what the Bible says. I wish they would take all the lessons from every chapter and do a careful study. Then they would have a book with authority.
As just one example they list 5 qualities of someone who should be descipled as a future church leader. It turns out that these 5 are part of the qualifications of elders listed in 1 Timothy and Titus. Why not use God's list and call the leader in training an elder candidate? It's because the authors, although seeking to be true to the Bible, haven't really understood that man does not live by bread alone but by EVERY Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
They think worship is a type of meeting instead of declaring God's worth to Him. They have never thought about the Lord's request to be remembered every Lord's Day.
Similarly, through their research, they almost came to understand a NT church structure, church planting, etc, but having not compared scripture they make new recommendations instead of Biblical recommendations.
So in my assessment with Scripture, this book gets 3 of 5. I can only recommend it to those who are already solid in God's Word, not to those who are main-line denomination tradition minded like the authors.
I do pray a revised and solid version would be printed. That would be a great book.
As just one example they list 5 qualities of someone who should be descipled as a future church leader. It turns out that these 5 are part of the qualifications of elders listed in 1 Timothy and Titus. Why not use God's list and call the leader in training an elder candidate? It's because the authors, although seeking to be true to the Bible, haven't really understood that man does not live by bread alone but by EVERY Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
They think worship is a type of meeting instead of declaring God's worth to Him. They have never thought about the Lord's request to be remembered every Lord's Day.
Similarly, through their research, they almost came to understand a NT church structure, church planting, etc, but having not compared scripture they make new recommendations instead of Biblical recommendations.
So in my assessment with Scripture, this book gets 3 of 5. I can only recommend it to those who are already solid in God's Word, not to those who are main-line denomination tradition minded like the authors.
I do pray a revised and solid version would be printed. That would be a great book.
August 15, 2016
This book is interesting but for me a bit too opinionated. I disagree with some of the authors ideas. As someone who lives in a Muslim country and also sees the obstacles both workers and national believers face. I think the author would have done better to not seem so insistent and careful to not make his opinions or those of national believers seem to be the only possible answer. I work around many workers who use some of these ideas. They are our friends. I read this book in hopes of understanding their philosophy better. As he said in the book, every place is different. One would be wise not to take this book as a how to manual.
August 8, 2024
If "The Insanity of God" was mostly a memoir, "The Insanity of Obedience" is more of a manual -- just as the subtitle says, how to walk with Jesus in tough places. The author has been in some of those tough places and talked to those who have persevered in many other situations. If there's a single take-home, it's that the same God who was alive and active in the Book of Acts remains alive and active today and continues to look out for His people in miraculous ways.
This is a convicting and compelling book.
This is a convicting and compelling book.
August 6, 2016
This book was tough to digest, and the author acknowledged that up front. It challenges commonly accepted missions strategies and cultural perspectives. I'm not sure if I agree with all his points, but it definitely raised a few issues worth pondering
September 20, 2018
Convicting and thought provoking. Much more theoretical than the first book, the Insanity of God, which is the backstory. Read the other first, for sure.
February 16, 2021
When I finished The Insanity of God I wasn’t exactly sure how Nik and Ruth’s research had an impact on them or how they used what they learnt in their further ministry. But now I understand. They’ve compiled everything they learnt from their ministry and all the stories they gathered over the years in this book that’s basically a missionary’s manual, a how-to and how-not-to book for every Christian out there. I loved the way they didn’t only state some facts but also challenged the reader to go & to be obedient!
Definitely coming back to this in the future!
Definitely coming back to this in the future!
July 28, 2020
Ripken has produced another insightful compendium arising from extensive interviews with persecuted believers. There is a broad range of missiological issues addressed.
The reader will gain a profound understanding of the critical dynamics that factor into the rise of church planting movements in spiritually hostile situations. There is a devotional tone to this otherwise well researched treaty of missionary practice that is at the cutting edge of the global kingdom work.
The reader will gain a profound understanding of the critical dynamics that factor into the rise of church planting movements in spiritually hostile situations. There is a devotional tone to this otherwise well researched treaty of missionary practice that is at the cutting edge of the global kingdom work.
April 14, 2021
This book is filled with lots of information and discussion points, as well as challenges and thought-provoking truths. However, I felt overwhelmed by the endless numbered points and sheer volume of thoughts and abbreviations. Chapter to chapter felt choppy and less than fluid...more like an information dump.
However, the ideas in this book will give our book club much to discuss - of that I am sure!
However, the ideas in this book will give our book club much to discuss - of that I am sure!
June 6, 2020
Definitely some good concepts & issues with the modern way of doing missions that the author tackles. However, it definitely seems like he has an axes to grind with seminaries and higher education. He makes a good amount of broad, sweeping statements that are partially true but not in their entirety.
September 11, 2022
Wow. What can I say? This book left me with a lot to pray about and to examine in my own life. It gave me deeper insight into life as a worker in persecuted countries, which I highly value as a previous long term worker in Southeast Asia. The Holy Spirit has stirred my faith through these testimonies! Jesus really is worthy of it all.
February 14, 2023
Very much geared towards active overseas missionaries, so not all was directly applicable to me, but still a ton of good knowledge regarding the persecuted church.
May 19, 2023
Such a practical and needed book after the Insanity of God
April 30, 2021
This was more of a handbook/ instructional/ Bible study than I expected. However, it was still a good read that challenged my thinking.
April 6, 2023
Another difficult, but very worthwhile read.
November 20, 2014
Source: Free copy from B and H Books in exchange for a review.
Summary:
All Christians are called to,
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20. NKJV.
I believe that most Christians think it is only a select few who are called to "Go therefore." The thought of leaving our comfortable safe society, and traveling to an unknown and unsafe place, is daunting and frightening.
The Insanity of Obedience, educates Christians in Western society by defining what it is really like for a Christian in an Eastern society. Further, how we can best share the gospel and minister to a person living in an Eastern society.
A strong element in the book is on suffering. Specifically in reference to the Western view versus the Eastern view.
The Eastern people groups in discussion are primarily Muslim, but the Hindu people are also included.
A strong foreword has been written by Brother Andrew.
My Thoughts:
The Insanity of Obedience is an uncomfortable read. It is not a motivational book with sentimental testimonies. It is a book describing a harsh, but normal reality for 80% of the world's believers. For the Western Church, suffering is viewed as abnormal and must be prayed over to disappear. For Christians who live in Africa, China, Afghanistan, Iran, or Communist nations, suffering is normal and expected. They pray that their tormentors will come to believe in Jesus Christ. They pray to forgive their persecutors. Ripken reminded me that people who do not know Jesus as their savior are "already suffering." One of the first lessons in The Insanity of Obedience is to re-define the term suffering.
There are several points in the book that stand out.
Obstacles that keep the gospel from taking root in a host culture. For example, "The knowledge of only one way to do church."
"More than 80% of the world are oral communicators." Later in the book Ripken shares Muslim men are literate; whereas, Muslim women are often illiterate. Further, Muslim men most often share the gospel with their male relatives, but do not share the gospel with their wives and female relatives.
The three major types of persecution.
Faulty assumptions about conversion in Muslim Background Believers and Hindu Background Believers.
American individualism view versus an Eastern community view.
Baptism issues.
I had mentioned earlier in my review of being an "uncomfortable read." I'm sure you are wondering what is "uncomfortable" for me in the book?
Some of Ripken's ideas feel foreign to me. I believe this is both normal and also a challenge. I have lived in America all of my life. I have traveled in Europe. I can remember being in a Brussels, Belgium train station surrounded by people who did not "look" like me nor speak my language. I was on their turf. It was a world made different by post 911. I was polite, overly polite, but very observant. I'd not thought, because of my ignorance, they were suspicious of my white Americanized body and clothing. It is books like The Insanity of Obedience that shine a light into the small box I live in.
I think too much, way too much. This is a hazard from being an introvert. I'm a planner and love to be organized. I like to have a plan A, B, C, and maybe D. Over-thinking causes me to talk myself out of what God has called me to do. A recent lesson, a lesson God has been trying to show me even before reading this book, is obey God the first time.
My favorite quotes:
"God is a sending God."
"We go as sheep among wolves."
"God uses persecution and suffering for His purposes."
"The believer's task is to be part of a community who baptize and disciple those whom God brings to faith. Beyond that, believers are compelled to leave results in God's hands."
"The greatest hindrance to the growth of God's kingdom globally is racism. Despite our protests to the contrary, there are sometimes deeper reasons behind our 'convictions.' And these deeper reasons are not unique to any particular groups or people. Human beings are naturally drawn to 'our own people.' But God seeks to transform what is 'natural' to us into what is more in line with His character and heart."
"It is axiomatic to point out that we cannot bring into existence what we do not already know and do ourselves. It is simply not possible to model what we have not yet experienced."
"The testimony of our brothers and sisters thriving in persecution globally is compelling and their testimony reminds us we are always free to obey Christ. It is our high privilege to act on that freedom."
Summary:
All Christians are called to,
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20. NKJV.
I believe that most Christians think it is only a select few who are called to "Go therefore." The thought of leaving our comfortable safe society, and traveling to an unknown and unsafe place, is daunting and frightening.
The Insanity of Obedience, educates Christians in Western society by defining what it is really like for a Christian in an Eastern society. Further, how we can best share the gospel and minister to a person living in an Eastern society.
A strong element in the book is on suffering. Specifically in reference to the Western view versus the Eastern view.
The Eastern people groups in discussion are primarily Muslim, but the Hindu people are also included.
A strong foreword has been written by Brother Andrew.
My Thoughts:
The Insanity of Obedience is an uncomfortable read. It is not a motivational book with sentimental testimonies. It is a book describing a harsh, but normal reality for 80% of the world's believers. For the Western Church, suffering is viewed as abnormal and must be prayed over to disappear. For Christians who live in Africa, China, Afghanistan, Iran, or Communist nations, suffering is normal and expected. They pray that their tormentors will come to believe in Jesus Christ. They pray to forgive their persecutors. Ripken reminded me that people who do not know Jesus as their savior are "already suffering." One of the first lessons in The Insanity of Obedience is to re-define the term suffering.
There are several points in the book that stand out.
Obstacles that keep the gospel from taking root in a host culture. For example, "The knowledge of only one way to do church."
"More than 80% of the world are oral communicators." Later in the book Ripken shares Muslim men are literate; whereas, Muslim women are often illiterate. Further, Muslim men most often share the gospel with their male relatives, but do not share the gospel with their wives and female relatives.
The three major types of persecution.
Faulty assumptions about conversion in Muslim Background Believers and Hindu Background Believers.
American individualism view versus an Eastern community view.
Baptism issues.
I had mentioned earlier in my review of being an "uncomfortable read." I'm sure you are wondering what is "uncomfortable" for me in the book?
Some of Ripken's ideas feel foreign to me. I believe this is both normal and also a challenge. I have lived in America all of my life. I have traveled in Europe. I can remember being in a Brussels, Belgium train station surrounded by people who did not "look" like me nor speak my language. I was on their turf. It was a world made different by post 911. I was polite, overly polite, but very observant. I'd not thought, because of my ignorance, they were suspicious of my white Americanized body and clothing. It is books like The Insanity of Obedience that shine a light into the small box I live in.
I think too much, way too much. This is a hazard from being an introvert. I'm a planner and love to be organized. I like to have a plan A, B, C, and maybe D. Over-thinking causes me to talk myself out of what God has called me to do. A recent lesson, a lesson God has been trying to show me even before reading this book, is obey God the first time.
My favorite quotes:
"God is a sending God."
"We go as sheep among wolves."
"God uses persecution and suffering for His purposes."
"The believer's task is to be part of a community who baptize and disciple those whom God brings to faith. Beyond that, believers are compelled to leave results in God's hands."
"The greatest hindrance to the growth of God's kingdom globally is racism. Despite our protests to the contrary, there are sometimes deeper reasons behind our 'convictions.' And these deeper reasons are not unique to any particular groups or people. Human beings are naturally drawn to 'our own people.' But God seeks to transform what is 'natural' to us into what is more in line with His character and heart."
"It is axiomatic to point out that we cannot bring into existence what we do not already know and do ourselves. It is simply not possible to model what we have not yet experienced."
"The testimony of our brothers and sisters thriving in persecution globally is compelling and their testimony reminds us we are always free to obey Christ. It is our high privilege to act on that freedom."
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