If all you have read of Yoder is 'The Politics of Jesus' I would recommend you add this title to your library. It is a quick read... less than one hundred pages. In it Yoder looks at five practices of the (free) church such as baptism, communion, priesthood of all believers, forgiveness in dialogue and gifts of the spirit... and explains how their use is a uniquely christian witness to the larger world. For instance communion is a literal economic practice of sharing wealth, baptism is the gathering together of a community that bridges ethnic difference, dialogue is the key to forgiveness and peacemaking. This volume will seriously and positively affect the way i conduct membership classes for teens and adults... focused on Christian practices shape the witness of our community.

http://subrationedei.com/?p=630 ( )

Absolutely amazing book. 'Body Politics' really made me stop thinking in terms of 'church' and more in terms of 'community' and made me realize just how far off the mark we may be in living out that concept. It's a little dry at times, and I don't 'get' everything he says, but it was rewarding to read it.

The chapter on 'Binding and Loosing' is worth the price of the book alone. ( )