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Bibliographical Entry
Rainer, Thom S. The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned From Other Beliefs to Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Author Information
Thom S. Rainer is one of the most influential scholars of our time in the area of evangelism. He is president of the Rainer Group, LifeWay Christian Resources and Church central. He also serves as dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth at The South Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored many books and served as pastor to many different congregations.
Content Summary
The Unexpected Journey is an “emphatic yell” to the church about the importance of evangelizing to the lost. From story to story you begin to see the majestic, salvific power of the grace of God. Taken from firsthand accounts, from the mouth of those who have walked through different beliefs, we see the love of God. Rainer moves us from life to life that has been changed by God. Whether a witch (pg107) or a Black Muslim (pg.169) we go behind the scenes as their lives unfold.
As he moves from person to person you begin to see a shifting in the story from the perspective of the writer. What began as a book meant to expose the truth that many Christians do not share their faith actually became a sense of urgency for Rainer and his wife. (pg.204) They began to really see that a lack of evangelizing was taking place in the United States. As you get toward the end, you see that the impact of this book has caused them to step their game up in the world of evangelism. (pg.199)
All of the people interviewed had amazing stores of their conversion. As you would read, you would find that all of the people had moments of truth that would become catalyst of change in their life. You could see the ambiguity they faced, as you read the stories and watch as their beliefs started to crumple right in from of their eyes. It didn’t matter if it was finding out that the information about their beliefs were wrong (pg.21) or that their beliefs did not really have their backs when they really needed it to come to the forefront. As they were confronted with the truth of the scripture the assurance in what they believed began to sit on shaky ground. (pg.176)
It was also very interesting to see how some were actually being confronted face to face, there was always someone, praying for their salvation. (pg115) As you read, you find that this became almost a moniker of sorts for the process of salvation for all of the people whose lives were changed. The amazing thing was that those who were converted could actually indentify those who were praying for them in the end. (pg.123)
Last but definitely not least, you see the methods given by the different people to help lead others that are still lost in the same beliefs that once ensnared them. They begin to share their wisdom with us after every story of what they thought would be helpful in winning others who were just like them. This would be a paradigm that was set from the first interview.
Evaluation
Never would I have thought that this book would have been as powerful and informative as it was to me. I thought at first glimpse that it would be another testimonial book of hodgepodge. It did not take long for that to dissipate as I read the first story. Rainer jumps out the gate and gets your attention as well as clarifies the intention of the book. I like the fact that he clearly states that this was not about apologetics or a book about other beliefs, but simply a book of stories that highlighted conversion of those from other beliefs. (pg.12)
This books intent was not to convince you of a particular truth but simply giving you stories of others who had encounters with God and changed. Rainer does an excellent job with transitioning from one story to the next. He also does a great job with making sure that the focus was on the story and the story teller and not his literary skills. He allows the story to unfold without trying to manipulate the storyteller to make it more fascinating.
The uniqueness of this book stemmed on the fact that you had so many primary sources from all walks of life coming to the same conclusions. Rather they were black, white, atheist. Buddhists or Mormon they all found Christ in the end. This opens up the door, for so many to read this book because it is not merely wrote to a Christian but for anyone from any religion. It serves as a twofold message for the unbeliever as well as the believer.
The Unexpected Journey has continued to flame the fire of evangelism to the lost. I saw that there is such a need for the Christians to share their faith to others. It is evident, throughout the entire book that if someone would have displayed true Christian love, early in these people lives they may have saved them from years of turmoil. I continue to run through my mind, the passage from about the lack of Christian sharing their faith with others. This book opened my eyes in the area of evangelism to new levels.
As you read, you see that as Christians we have done ourselves a disservice to the world because of our lack of evangelism and knowledge of the scriptures. We have failed to meet the people in the areas that they need to be met as a whole. This book shows that a remnant of people shared the love of Christ, either through profession of their faith or deeds to others of different religions and made an impact. Their sharing turned out to be pivotal in these thirteen people coming to Christ.
As I conclude, I am most impressed with the fact that Rainer is so candid about the change that has taken place with him. You read through the entire book as he discloses how the writing of this book challenged him in his walk to grow. For me that spoke volumes about the humility of this man. Here stands a man with a PhD, nationally known author, president of many great organizations, and pastor of ten different churches saying he has grown through the writing of his own book. I saw that this project was not only a help for others but a help for him a well. This book could not have been entitled any better than what it was because it truly was an Unexpected Journey.
I read an interesting blog today from Collin Brendemuehl,”Articulate: the New “N” Word”. He sublimely or ingeniously (at least in my eyes) interweaves a confession of his personal racism. I do not want to suggest that he is some sort of overt racist but he divulges a certain prejudice that we all deal with on a consistent basis. Though I would have choose another title for the blog it was still an interesting piece of writing.
From the stance that he takes, I am force to deal with my own presupposition of whites. In the back of my mind looms the thought that all whites have the same frame of mind about blacks. That being that “they think they are better than we are.” Being raised in the south and living through the entire country I have found that my thoughts were not always true. Though our perceptions are vastly different, my thoughts of whites have been wrong.
As I embark on the mission to church plant, I find that was an area of sin for me because of my covert racist mentality. As funny as it may seem I had serious reservation about evangelizing in white neighborhoods because I thought that they were good. I had no problems in places that most would not venture into by themselves without being armed with some heat (weaponry). After viewing another post from LaShawn Barber, I am convince the more that diversity is a most in the body of Christ.
In matter of two days, God has placed the smelling salt under my nose to deal with my covert racist mindset. My whole ideal of the body of Christ has been wrecked by the episodes that have taken place in my life in the last few days. ( As well as having a conversation with Jay Hardwick.)
I use a statement made by Collin Brendemuehl, “But the process has been successful and I’m happy to be able to say that all of our friendships are not at all limited by ethnic opinions. It is freeing when Colossians 1:11 takes root.”
Shalom to Collin, Lashawn & Jay
It’s time to repent.
