Publisher's Synopsis
Jesus constantly and consistently challenged the cultural mindset of both the religious leaders and His disciples. Time and time again He did not match up with either their religious norms or their cultural norms. At one point many disciples turned to leave Him after such a confrontation. His question, "Are you also going to leave?" must have stung in the ears of the Twelve. Impetuous Peter was the first to speak up, "Lord, to whom would we go?" Today Jesus challenges the North American culture and Western Mindset of His followers. Nowhere is this more explicit than His response when the first disciples asked, "Lord teach us to pray." As usual familiarity has caused this important pattern for our petitions and lifestyle to become one of many things we think we understand because . . . well it's so simple. But you will soon learn that Jesus challenges most of the cultural norms of both America and the American church. The question is, "Are you also going to leave?" Maybe you will continue to ignore these keys to the Kingdom. Maybe you will just "Keep on Keep'in on" as if everything will work out fine in the end. One reason these patterns for our petitions rock our religious norms is because of an insipid reality that permeates the Western church. Many have called it, "Easy Believism." As you read through The Radical Jesus Prayer, you will hear me speak of it from time to time. Thus I have added to this edition my book, Dealing with Easy Believism. This book is focused on an alternative approach to ministering to a person who wants to have a right relationship with God.
