Dissident Discipleship: A Spirituality of Self-Surrender, Love of God, and Love of Neighbor

I have known David Augsburger as a friend and teacher. I have read a number of his books and heard him speak. This book is the culmination of many years of ministry, teaching and writing. I have had an on-going interest in Christian Spirituality for many years. I have read and studied ancient and contemporary writers on this subject. "Dissident Discipleship" takes Christian Spirituality to a new level. Augsburger convincingly shows that Christian Spirituality has to be more than about "my God and I." It is a tri-polar Spirituality that involves self-surrender, love of God and love of neighbor. He is very specific in what these mean. They are very practical and not just nice platitudes. For example, love of neighbor will be most deeply expressed when we come to love even our enemy. I believe that this will be a book for all times. I higly recommend it to all readers interested in Christian Spirituality.

I bought "Dissident Discipleship" during my lunch hour today I have already managed to read about 5 chapters. I find this book to support and re-inforce the theme and thesis of another book I just read, "Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World," by Lee C. Camp. "Mere Discipleship," blew my socks off and has completely shifted my paradigms as well as those whom I have persuaded to also read it. After reading "Mere Discipleship" I felt so empowered and so close to the truth that I had to talk about it and had to seek similar material. "Dissident Discipleship" is very much on the same track as "Mere Discipleship"- they are both published by Brazos Press. I am looking foreward to further devouring Augsburger's offering..I like what I have seen so far and have much affinity for what he says in the 5th chapter entitled "The Practice of Resolute Non-Violence" and under the sub heading of "Love Not The Domination System". Based on what I have read there alone I can already reccomend this book and offer my opinion that every Christian should read it as well as the other book I have mentioned. I believe that the Church in general is bound for a cultural shift on par with the reformation...these books are part of the vanguard of that revolution.