Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America

by Robert D. Lupton and Barbara R. Thompson

Book Overview

"A gripping discovery of God's grace where we least expect to find it--in the decaying core of the city." --Ronald A. Nikkel, president, Prison Fellowship International

"The story of Lupton's ministry is one of the most inspiring in America. Those of us who are trying to accomplish something of value in urban settings look to him and his co-workers as models." --Tony Campolo, author of Stories That Feed Your Soul

Urban ministry activist Robert...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060653078
• ISBN13: 9780060653071
• Release Date: October 2011
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful glimpse of the Kingdom

This book is fantastic. Bob Lupton gets to the heart of what the Kingdom is really like - something easily forgotten by affluent Christians in America like myself. Although I am currently a seminary student and regularly reading big, old books on theology, this little book absolutely stands out as one that has changed my thinking, and given me a more Christ-centered view of the world and the way Christians should see the world. Thank you Bob.

An HONEST look at Urban Ministry

The strength of this book lies in its total honesty and realistic look at life in the inner-city living life and doing ministry among the urban poor. Lupton doesn't shy away from the hard questions, but answers them boldly with the words of Jesus. He exhorts us to be radical in our servanthood of our neighbors, and to sacrifice ourselves for others. In other words, he just calls us to what Jesus calls us to. This book is very easy and quick to read, but the lessons learned in this book can be pondered and worked out in a real-life context over and over again. This is certainly one of the best books I have ever read that encourages you to take the Gospel seriously in the inner-city. It's worth far more than the time it will take you to read.

A Reality Check

Having worked in urban ministries, I can realte much more to Lupton's book than I can to any stories from the mainstream media. He draws the reader right in to the realities of urban life, and in his delightful vignettes makes his neighbors your neighbors. He takes what the media might call "street people" and helps us see each one as a PERSON with a face, personality, and most importantly, a soul.

A short, powerful, insightful read

Lupton's continual struggle to apply the words of Christ in the real world -- the inner city, nonetheless -- are powerful and poignant. He preaches a joyfully dirty Christianity, where the true servants of Christ are not afraid to get their hands dirty, to give with no thought for tomorrow, to be broken and needy and open and loving. This is not your grandmother's religion. He rejoices, he fumes, he laughs and he cries. The chapters are staccato short, and you'll probably read half the book in one night. Each section is anecdotal, ground in examples from his own experience. Out of these experiences, he raises much needed questions about our relationship to the poor, the ways we give, our relationship to Christ, and the difference between Americanism and Christianity. Like his Lord, Lupton has learned how to say "You have heard it said...but I tell you instead..." these pieces are powerful, gentle, disturbing and encouraging. I have just returned from leading an urban missions project, where we read this book alongside working in the inner city. Not only does it paint a wonderfully accurate picture -- so much more complex than the standard view of the inner city -- but it puts into words things that need to be said. I feel indebted to Mr. Lupton, not only for teaching me much but for speaking for me. A great book.

A MUST READ!

This book is a collection of vignettes from someone who has been doing urban ministry for a long time. The author's down-to-earth honesty coupled with his keen writing makes the issues of urban work come alive and challenges the reader to think through his/her values and world-view. Best followed up by a good dose of the inner-city so that the reader can appreciate the dilemmas and difficulties that the author poses rather than fooling him/herself with a bunch of theory. A must read for anyone who lives, works, or ministers in the city.