Why do so many rock-star pastors implode under the spotlight? Why do modern-day churches become so entangled in growing their brand that they lose sight of their true purpose? Because, according to Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel, Christians have succumbed to the temptations of power and forgotten Jesus’ seemingly contradictory path to power—first giving it up.
In The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb, Goggin and Strobel paint a richly biblical vision of power through weakness. They invite readers to join them on an adventure around the world, seeking out great sages of the faith with uncommon wisdom to offer those traveling the path of Christian life. As readers eavesdrop on the authors’ conversations with people such as J. I. Packer, Dallas Willard, Marva Dawn, John Perkins, Jean Vanier, James Houston, and Eugene Peterson, they begin to piece together the new-old reality of following Jesus today. In the end, The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb offers a compelling vision of the way of Jesus that will challenge both individual believers and the church as a whole.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Insightful, humbling, and worshipful.” -Russell Moore, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
“This is a book every Christian leader needs to read and soon.” -Sarah Bessey, author of Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith and Jesus Feminist
“You need this book. I need this book. We all need this book”
-Collin Hansen, editorial director, The Gospel Coalition; author, Blind Spots: Becoming a Courageous, Compassionate, Commissioned Church
“What a monumental book. A must-read.” -Nish Weiseth, author of Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World
“It is imperative for us to understand and embrace this.” -Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network
“I was both encouraged and humbled by this book.” -Os Guinness, author of Impossible People
“This is a wise, urgent, and prophetic book.” -Richard Beck, professor of psychology at Abilene Christian University, blogger and author of Reviving Old Scratch and Unclean
“I hope this book is read widely.” -Jim Belcher, author of In Search of Deep Faith
“Lay down your wearying notions of what it means to embrace and pursue power, and accept the invitation here, to so much more.” -Deidra Riggs, Author of One: Unity in a Divided World
“The church and her leaders desperately need to hear this message.” -Jeff Vanderstelt, Visionary leader of Soma and Saturate, and the lead teaching pastor of Doxa Church, Bellevue, Washington. Author of Saturate and Gospel Fluency
“Absolutely brilliant!…Read this book!” -Albert Tate, Pastor, Fellowship Monrovia
About the Author
Jamin Goggin serves as a pastor at Mission Hills Church. He has been in pastoral ministry for eleven years, including several years as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Saddleback Church. Jamin speaks and writes in the areas of spiritual formation, ministry and theology. He holds two Masters degrees and is currently earning a PhD in systematic theology. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Kristin, and their three children