Jim Palmer (3)

A blog I stumbled across mentioned this writer who was self-publishing his latest book because it was turned down as "unorthodox" by his Christian publisher. I thought I'd take a look at his earlier book. I'm glad I did. I won't say it's been life-changing, but it shows engagingly the mismatch between Christian faith and Christian "religion", and how a genuine and positive faith can survive and thrive without the help or hindrance of institutional churches.

After an abusive childhood show more (mitigated by a few lifesavers such as a pet dog), Palmer moved from token Catholicism to Baptist seminary and pastoral ministry in a large evangelical church. Despite some misgivings (such as an inability to feel ecstatic when everyone else was swaying along to Christian musical pap), his progress towards the stellar heights of megachurch ministry was only abruptly halted when his wife had an affair leading to divorce. This left him selling carpets and household goods, hoping that members of his ex-congregation wouldn't show up in the till queue.

Away from the hypocritical plastic Christianity of the megachurches, and denied that ego-boosting pastoral career, he found that real Christian faith-in-action lurks among real people who listen to hip-hop, vote Democrat, don't read the Bible, and can't go to church anyway because they work Sundays. They are the people who don't say "Lord, Lord", but give a cup of water to a stranger.

I often analyze things by comparison, so I couldn't help spotting the commonalities between Jim Palmer and Adrian Plass (there are depressed Christians, and they need more than happy-clappy worship and Scripture verses; not all "high" church people are agents of Satan). His situation also mirrors that of Simon Parke (who dropped out of church ministry to work in a supermarket). Some of the issues here seem perennially to need attention drawn to them. As Sydney Carter sang a long time ago: "shut the Bible up and show me how / the Christ you talk about is living now".

MB 9-i-2012 show less

The first few chapters recount some of Palmer’s background. He describes an incident where he is trapped in an overturned car, convinced he cannot possibly escape alive. He talks about his great relationship with his daughter. And he also explains the idea behind the book, which was inspired by re-reading the classic Christian novel ‘In his steps’, from which the popular ‘What would Jesus do?’ slogan originated.

Palmer decides to write an up-to-date account of what it means to be show more like Jesus in Nashville in the 21st century. He makes the point that Jesus as a man was fully human and also fully divine; yet, in a human body was obviously not transcendent, nor did he know everything. He also points out that there’s more than one reference in Scripture to Christ living in us, and to his being our ‘brother’. Yet I couldn't help a twinge of discomfort in the way it was written.

Palmer decides to live his life as if he were Jesus for a year. He then ponders what that means. He tells his story in a self-deprecating and very readable way, as he tries some things which don’t work - and finds surprising hints of what it means to ‘be Jesus’ in other encounters.

I found the book compelling and inspiring, on the whole despite one or two reservations. Jim Palmer has gone further than I’m comfortable with in casting off his religious shackles and renouncing anything to do with the church. However he makes the important point that God made us as unique individuals, with our own strengths and weaknesses, and that our call is to ‘be Jesus’ in whatever situation we’re in.

Much to ponder, and a book I shall probably return to in future. Definitely recommended, both to Christians and those who are fed up with the church - but that doesn’t mean I agree with every word. show less

I have read many Christian books over the years - hundreds. Adrian Plass wrote that they are like Chinese meals - great at the time but you soon feel like you need another one.

But there have been the occasional books that are different. The ones that grab you by the throat, pin you against the wall and mug you of your preconceived ideas about yourself and God. I'm thinking of books like Disciple by Ortiz, Father Heart of God by McClung and Ron Sider's rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. . show more

This remarkable little book by Jim Palmer comes into this later group.

He was a high profile Christian leader who was caused by circumstances to re-evaluate all that he has done and said. He shares this with an openness and vulnerability that I have rarely read or heard. Don't you have to wear a cape to be a Super Christian who writes books? On this journey he finds Jesus. Not in meetings, right theology or mega churches - but in ordinary people. A waffle waitress, a couple who run a garage, a tyre salesman, a gay friend and others. We soon revisit our own ideas about those we accept or reject and how this contrasts with Christ himself. `In my world there was no such thing as a gay Christian; a greedy, gluttonous, hateful, prideful, selfish, lustful, dishonest, hypocritical, vengeful, callous, slanderous, angry Christian maybe, but not gay.'

He also gives us a fresh insight into leaving the comfort zone. What a clichéd phrase that has become. I have embellished talks with it for years. But it takes on new meaning on a visit with IJM to rescue child prostitutes in south East Asia or when he sees a tyre dealer go several extra miles for a homeless visitor. In the former case his writing comes into its own as he shares with us the drama of the rescue, the revulsion at what is happening and the honest but entirely reasonable questions of God and how He feels about this oppression. `These IJM guys have a slightly different picture of Jesus than most of us do, convinced that if he were bodily present, his boot would have been the first kicking in the door....sure we need to pray for victims of injustice, but has anyone thought of, well, like, rescuing them.'

This is the sort of book which can be read in a couple of hours. But its effect will last far longer. Get it, read it, now! show less

The book is a bit different from the author’s earlier ones; it’s not so much a coherent account but a mixture of notes, based on his journals during a period of intense reflection on his life and faith. I found the first section annoying; not only was it repetitive, but it read like one of those scam adverts that keep insisting that we need to know (or buy, or do…) the One Thing that will change our lives without saying what that thing is. And it kept telling me I think this or believe show more that, about things that had never even occurred to me.

But I reminded myself that the author had a damaging childhood, and some bad experiences with fundamentalist Christianity. So I kept reading. I was a little disturbed by what seemed almost Buddhist thinking in places, but Palmer still returns to Scripture and to the words and actions of Jesus. And while the writing continues to be bitty and repetitive, and often not relevant to my background, I thought he made some good points.

I’d recommend this to anyone brought up in an angry or coercive religious environment; but don’t expect great coherence or profound thoughts. It essentially tells us to live in the moment, to look out for God in all situations, to respond as needs arise, and not to worry. It focuses on God as love, in all people and things, but I'd be worried about a Christian message that did not include this as a basis.

For the first section of the book I’d barely allocate two stars, but the rest was four-star material, even four-and-a-half in places. So I’ll compromise on a four. show less