Book: Joseph Comes To Town
Basic Information : Synopsis : Characters : Expectations : Thoughts : Evaluation : Book Group : New Words : Good Quotes : Table of Contents : References
Basic Information:
Author: Paul Swearengin
Edition: Hardcopy
Publisher: Paul Swearengin Publishing
ISBN: B07QTJM2B9
Start Date: September 3, 2020
Read Date: Sept 9, 2020
233 pages
Genre: Fiction, Christianity
Language Warning: Low
Rated Overall: 4 out of 5
Religion: Christianity
Religious Quality: 4 out of 5
Christianity-Teaching Quality: 4 out of 5
Fiction-Tells a good story: 4 out of 5
Fiction-Character development: 4 out of 5
Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
Joseph comes into a mid-sized Oregon town called Bekering. He is a former resident, but his family was driven out when he was young. Christians in the city are a formable political block. But many of them are of the mindset of their Christianity goes hand in hand with making money. So the relational aspects of the gospel has been lost on most of its citizens.
Joseph comes to town and tells and acts with people that God loves them as they are. He does this through storytelling, accepting people as they are, and being their in their time of need.
Change happens in the hearts and mind of a few key people, bringing reconciliation. But there are also consequences where a pastor loses his church and people are not accepting. But things work out in the end.
Cast of Characters:
- Joseph-main character who brings a message that God does love all and that we as Christians should reflect that love. It comes out that Joseph is the son of a man who was driven out of Bekering.
- Saul Thompson-Pastor of Bekering Christian Center, a leading church in Bekering. He has been that for 22 years. Wife is Patty Thompson
- Patty Thompson-Wife of Saul Thompson. Has had a miscarriage
- Isaac Thompson-Saul and Patty’s 17-year old son. Just about died as a young boy.
- Thad Perkins-Friend of Isaac. Rejected Joseph. Committed suicide because of not finding acceptance that he was gay.
- Elsa -liberal, protests with the gay community. Gay.
- Hal Beatty-major land owner. Power broker in Bekering
- Earl Gates-Chief of Police
- Andy Strapp-Mayor of Bekering
- Becky Townsend-banker who has had two abortions
- Christian Anderson-Pastor of a charismatic church.
- Dirk Rogers-Radio talk host, former hippie
- Blake Perkins-Rich. Father of Thad.
- Recommendation: Tavern Theology Facebook Group
- When: October 2019
- Date Became Aware of Book: October 2019
- How come do I want to read this book: I know the author and am interested in what he has to say.
- What do I think I will get out of it? Insight into how a Christian should live.
Thoughts:
As a note: I am in a group with Paul Swearengin. So there is a lot of what I see in this book that is affected by his conversation and demeanor. I feel this is a benefit to my understanding of his book. On the other hand, this is not an unbiased view of his book.
In the New Testament, Saul was the prosecutor of the church. Also the king of Israel who became corrupt. But Saul the persecutor became Paul the Apostle, messenger of God. I wonder if that is the transformation which Paul Swearengin was getting after. Also wonder if Paul Swearengin is reflecting on his own metamorphoses.
I wonder about Swearengin’s former church-The River. What kind of church was it?
Is Swearengin saying that conservative Christian politics is driven by financial considerations? And not even Christian, but personal?
Joseph seems to be in too many places and into too many lives to be an example. But taken individually, he is someone who can help a person live.
Pastor Saul in some ways resembles Nicodemus who visited Jesus at night and then became a follower after his death.
Forward
Is Jesus a conservative and a supporter of the right wing of American politics? It might be an odd question to ask. A better question might be to ask if Jesus supports the conswervative political stances so prevalent in the American Evangelical Church today. Swearengin has been a pastor of a conservative church, his wife is the former mayor of Fresno, and his view of Christianity and politics has moved. The characters are not any one person, but are based upon observations of various people whom Swearengin has been associated with.
Prologue
Joseph comes into Bekering. A truck whose driver professes to be Christian has just cut him off and has all sorts of Second Amendment stickers on it, including that God is for the Second Amendment..
1 - The Marriage Rally
Saul Thompson is leading a rally against gay marriage. A protest group is also there, kept separate, but peaceful.
It’s hard to make people think you’re fighting for them when they believe you hate them.
Patty T says that the conservitive Christian side can be downright hypocritical-in relationship to say Christ loves everybody, but then spewing hate against groups.
Saul has developed the art of trading his true feelings for propriety. Patty has not.
2 - Berking Politics
Chit-chat between Hal, Matthew (Republican chair for the area), and Saul about how wedge issues keep people voting in the way they want them to. Saul has different thoughts that morality issues are for morality, not politics, but lacks the courage to say anything.
3- Seeing Joseph
Personal favorite microphone? Saul’s thought of a particular mic. Joseph is introduced to the story with a T-Shirt saying God is NOT Mad at You. He has started teaching around town. But right now is just talking to people in Saul’s crowd. He then moves to the counter protest side.
4 - An Unexpected Guest
Saul is trying to get a loan from a friendly bank for a new children’s wing. An unexpected banker also shows up, Becky. Becky is pretty hard-nosed and by the book and number person. Joseph is a busboy while doing his real work-he is a storyteller
First Bible reference-Joseph calls Saul a man with no guile.
5 - Politically Incorrect Conversation
Negotiating for the church loan. Then there is a discussion on abortion. Becky becomes emotional over this argument.
Hal Beatty once explained his reasoning to Pastor Saul-God doesn’t want me to lose out on good business. This is in reference to an agreement Hal had made with the city that if Hal developed one piece of property, he would leave another piece of land as farmland. Later in the book, it becomes evident that Hal never intended to leave it as farmland. He just needed his people on the city council. This is where Bekering is very much like Fresno. There was an Operation Rezone put together by the Fed’s which obtained underhanded deals made by land developers in Fresno. Similar story in Bekering. In Fresno, this only slowed down the process, not stopped it.
This part of the story seems a bit odd. Becky starts an argument over abortion. But then gets emotional when the pastor brings up points about what is an unborn person. It is the argument over is this an unborn human or a bunch of cells not yet formed?
6 - A Life-Changing Collision
Becky literally runs into Joseph. They have a conversation which turns to Becky’s abortions. This conversation hinges on how much grace and forgiveness will God extend to sinners. This is a focal point in Swearengin’s book. If God loved people enough to sacrifice His Son, then will he want them enough to forgive their wrong doing?
Joseph uses the term Father God, as where he gets his knowledge and wisdom from. This is true of all wisdom.
Swearengin recounts the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. In this case, Joseph sees that Becky is greatly disturbed by the talk of abortion as murder. Why? Because this hits very close to home with her. Joseph tells Becky that Father God forgives her and loves her despite the abortion. Then goes on and reveals that she has had two abortions.
This causes Becky to reveal her inner thoughts and feelings. Feelings of shame, feelings of wanting to tell someone, feelings of wanting be loved. She also has a daughter out of wedlock. Joseph says that the reason why he knew about this stuff was that Father God wanted Becky to know that He loves her. Isn’t this the message God has for us all? Why do Christians have such a hard time telling it? Showing it? Do we not feel God’s love for us? Swearengin’s answer to this question? Sometimes in church we forget how big God really is and how big his ability to love everyone.
7 - Isaac’s Quest
Conversation between Isaac Thompson and his friend on the way to one of Joseph’s storytelling. Isaac is labeled as a seeker, I am assuming a seeker of truth. There is the wondering if God is different from the God heard in church.
Swearengin references a singer by the name of Gungar who sings about God is not a man. There really is a song by a guy by the name of Michael Gungor with these words. Sort of cheesy, but makes the point.
8 - Teller of a Different Story
Discussion with Joseph and young people about the value of public events such as the Marriage Rally. Joseph traces back to Martin Luther the idea of protest against a different interpretation of the Bible. Who does God love? Why does the Bible indicate that God will destroy the evil? Does conserative Christianity give permission to hate someone? It seems like some believe that over that God loves them.
I wonder if this is true that Republican ideas were sewn into the evangelical, conserivative church. I would say that would be true since the Ronald Reagan years. But then where did Jimmy Carter get his ideas from?
9 - Saul and His Sermon
Pastor Saul’s sermon. Saul tries to teach his flock how to be godly.He starts to preach against Joseph, not by name. Becky Townsend was there and left when Saul talks about abortion. He then also sees Joseph there. Joseph seems more sad for Becky and Saul than angry at being preached against.
10 - Migrants, Muslims and Miracles
Joseph tells a story in Pastor Saul’s parking lot. It is a rendition of the Good Samaritan. There is a question and answer period afterwards. Pastor Saul eavesdrops on this.
Sometimes we’re too busy or too judgemental to help others. But I believe Father God loves mercy, wherever it’s given and by whomever it’s given. This is a good reminder. Jesus was busy going to do something good like heal a person. But a lady touches him and he stops ministering to her. Sounds like what Swearengin is talking about. It is much too easy to be busy and leave off of doing the good God wants us to do.
Sometimes too we react according to what we know and think. This is why it is important to have an understanding in line with what God has in store for us.
Interesting thought: when a person knows deprivation, they will be greedy even if there is plenty.
Swearengin points out there is a sense that as others also started to obtain prosperity, those who had previously done well felt like victims. This enabled a whole group of people to capitalize on this. In this case, the conservative causes. Fear and anger was fed to those who felt victimized. (As a note: liberal causes also can do similar things to those who do not have. There is agitation to make others be like me. There is a right sense of understanding that you should have the opportunity for similar gain. But there is also a sense of lust and to equalize by tearing down. My thoughts not Swaerengin’s)
11 - Saul Caught Spying
Becky did not leave the service due to what Pastor Saul said, but to get a friend to meet Joseph. Very similar to the woman at the well-Joseph told me things about my life. Her friend Ruby has had a leg injury. Joseph has people pray for her leg. It is healed.
There is envy-Joseph is free to love people.
If you have no faith to believe, it’s hard to see people healed by prayer. Joseph’s prayer was either a matter of faith or foolishness. You ask God to heal … and find someplace in your heart to believe He can do it and let's see what happens.
While Pastor Saul saw what happened, he felt he needed to prepare Bekering for a let down and the mess he felt sure Joseph would leave.
12 - A Pastor and the Mayor
Pastor Saul and Mayor Andy Strapp meet. A sense of entitlement from the conservative Christians. Andy has doubts about if the conservative agenda is the best for Bekering.
Certainly a lot of things named Beatty.
Interesting comment. They may be Christian men, but not so sure about them being good.
13 - Memories Packed Away
Remembering when Saul’s father lost his job and the effect it had on him and the family.
14 - A Radio Show and A Straw Man
Pastor Saul goes on talk radio. Dirk Rogers was a fake name-his was really Greek. They talked about trans-bathroom usage. More of a talk to raise ratings for Rogers. Pastor’s Saul’s part is to raise falder to rile up listeners so they can be more intense and listen more often.
Swearengin presents some interesting arguments, or I will say sides, about various issues. He compares how bathrooms are situated with how blacks were forced to use different bathrooms. Also brings in wife abuse and how that was tolerated. He also brings up that there are mixed use bathrooms, such as when a father needs to bring their daughter into a bathroom. I wonder about what arguments the other side has. All which I hear are more things oriented towards right and wrong than the need. When my daughter went to UC Santa Cruz, the dorm she was in had mixed use bathroom dorm. They seemed to work out OK.
Phrase brought a smile: proctologist of the world.
Do I see how good God made the world or do I see the evils which have corrupted that beauty? I think there needs to be both. After all, if there was not the response, then we would still have slaves. But without understanding the beauty, we would not know what we are aiming at.
We tend to understand and care about those who we know, which is a small percentage. It is those outside of our comfort zone is where our growth really happens.
15 - The Radio Host
Joseph talks with Dirk Rogers. Joseph notes that talk shows specialize in making people feel like they are victimized, and getting them worked up and angry. Joseph knows his real name and the meaning of it. He gives Dirk the purpose of being the defender of people.
16 - Fishing for Answers
Conversation with Isaac while fishing. Discussion on the relationship between God and the Bible.
Swearengin compares a written biography of someone with knowing the person first hand.
Should laws be passed to keep people from sinning? Interesting question. Swearengin does not answer this question. But he does talk about grace being given. By definition, grace given is never grace deserved. Grace does not come about by following the rules/laws but by the person giving grace.
But to the question, is Swearengin saying there should be no moral laws? In a lot of respects all laws are morals. They are the morals of a society. Do not murder, do not steal, do not lie are all based upon the morality that God is in each of us. By doing any of that we are tarnishing that image.
I suspect that we are given laws as bumpers on our behavior. But grace recognizes we cannot perfectly keep those laws.
17 - A Gala Event
A museum in Bekering is having a gala. Of course Pastor Sual and Patty and the rest of the mover and shakers would need to be there. And Joseph is busing the event. Joseph is able to talk about Patty’s loss and needs.
Patty thinks how religious people stress the inward so much, but need to make sure the outside is so spotless.
18 - Bekering, We Have A Problem
Discussion at the gala about a new mall Hal wanted to build. There is a movement to meet Sunday in the Pastor’s office with another city council member-making it an illegal governmental meeting.
19 - Bekering’s Past and Future
Hal is honored for giving a donation to the museum. But is drunk and states the money could go better to building a dam and a highway. Joseph says that God condemns Hal and his generation for mortgaging the nations future for the pleasure of now.
20 - The Other Side of the Religious War
Joseph’s conversation with Elsa. They dance. She shares her story. Joseph shares that God loves her, just ask.
Elsa saw that Joseph enjoyed his life. Sheer joy showed through.
Elsa says that her side tries to love everyone. Joseph points out that they do not love the churches of the town. Swearengin says that It’s impossible for two sides to have healthy interaction when you’re in a winner-take-all battle. He points out that those without power will feel victimised. One day they will have the power and the roles will be reversed. This kind of power struggle looks at things as a zero-sum gain.
Swearengin says that God would prefer us fighting for people than truth. Is this an either/or proposition? Can it be both?
21 - The Stress of Being Mayor
Andy Strapp as mayor and his background. He is at a gym and sees Joseph there. Joseph tells him that God has chosen him for this position.
Andy knows that the biggest problem is white flight to the city’s north. This is pushed by developers like Hal.
Not a conservative Christian free-market idea, but Andy thinks that when the free-market and government work together does things work best. But how does that fit in with what Swearengin said above about laws not solving the morality issue? How can the government guide unless laws or regulations are made? And if you make them, then what is the driving force behind those laws?
Operation False Zone - like Fresno’s Operation Rezone. I suspect Swearengin is really talking about Fresno more than anyplace else in this chapter. In it he talks about how property is brought within the city limits and the value goes up tremendously. There is a sense of “get your money” now and let the future worry about itself, even though the consequences of today’s action is putting the future in hock.
22 - The Pastors’ Meeting
Getting his fellow pastors onboard to take care of Joseph.
23 - Don’t Call Him A Pastor
Joseph and Pastor Anderson come late to the pastor’s meeting. Joseph is asked about homosexuality. He writes down a list of sins on a whiteboard which are listed in the Bible. After overthrowing tables, he stomps out.
Swearengin is taking a snippet of the women caught at adultery. Also there is a mixture of Jesus at the temple, overthrowing the money changers tables.
God is willing to love us right where we are.
Someday, when you stand in front of Father God, he won’t ask if you had good theology. No, He will ask if your good theology kept you from loving people.
24 - A Father-Son Clash
Thad Perkins, Isaac’s friend, commits suicide. Pastor Saul and his wife go to his parents to comfort them. Revelation was that Thad was gay. Discussion of suicide and hell. Isaac accuses Pastor Saul of driving Thad to his decision for suicide. They argue and Pastor Saul hits Isaac. Isaac’s take is that Thad was looking for someone to say that he was good enough. He did not find it in the church.
Wonder how much Philip Yancey Swearengin has read. There are threads of a couple of Yancey’s books I am a little familiar with, What’s So Amazing About Grace and The Jesus I Never Knew.
As in Pastor Saul’s arguing, he also fell into a pattern of self-justification. This included why he hit his son.
Are any of us “good enough” for God. In one way, no. We all fall short of our own ideas, let along God’s. But there is another half. God has made a way to be not only good enough, but to be perfect in His eyes-that is the grace which Jesus enabled. That is the conundrum-sin and grace.
We as Christians preach the easy part-condemnation.
25 - Angst Around the Funeral
The church power group does not want Thad’s memorial service at the church because of Thad being gay. It was evident that it was more about politics than protecting children or any other evil. The church’s finances were threatened if the memorial service was held at the church.
26 - A Surprise Funeral Guest
Day of funeral/memorial. Elsa’s group gathered outside of the church to show support for the family, not to protest. Pastor Saul is feeling the rejection of Isaac as Isaac has not come home. Thad’s lover comes to the service and announces who he is.
I think Swearengin drew up Elsa’s group as a counter to what Westboro Baptist Church did at Matthew Shepard’s funeral.
Thad’s lover asks, do you think he can be forgiven? Also, could Thad be forgiven? Swearengin goes back to Augustine to note that he thought it was a sin and as a sin at death, there is no confession of sin. So can there be forgiveness?
I guess there is another dimension, and I do not know the answer to this. But it seems to me that we each sin almost every day in some ways. Lets say you have a Christian who is driving 45mph in a school zone. He swerves to avoid a child, still hitting the child but also runs into a tree. The Christian dies. Did he commit a sin by his reckless driving? If so, he probably did not confess it before he died. Does that mean he is going to hell due to his unconfessed sin? I do not think so. I think there is forgiveness from God. So can God forgive the sin of taking your own life?
27 - Healing A Mother’s Heart
Service at the graveside. The ceremony seems pretty rote. Isaac is at the service. Joseph is part of the catering group. Joseph comforts Thad’s mother. Joseph encourages Isaas to talk with his father. There is an explosion between the two of them.
Joseph notes that God will go to the end of the earth to save one of His treasures. Is this a reference to the Good Shepherd finding the one lost sheep?
28 - Losing a Son and Losing Control
Father and son argue with Isaac not feeling loved and Saul not being able to exhibit love. Then Hal goes after a group which has silently been across the way in a park. A mele happens when Hal rips a sign with a suicide prevention phone number He then punches Pastor Saul. He tells Pastor Saul that a censure meeting will occur and it will go badly for him.
At the end Saul realizes he has unfinished business with Isaac, but Isaac has left.
29 - Changes in Bekering
Joseph is fired from his job as a busboy because of pressure from Hal Beatty, He can no longer do his storytelling in the back room.
Joseph shows no animosity towards the owner of the grill. Why? I think it is because Joseph really does not have anything vested in working there. He has few strings which tie him, so there are only a few things which will set him off. But he was still hurt by being let go. Maybe because he enjoyed the place.
Joseph recognizes that there is a comfort in the status quo. It is also easier to keep your beliefs than have them challenged. Something I need to remember. If my beliefs do not represent truth and God’s view of this world, I need to alter them.
A person with a political mindset can miss what God is doing… A political mindset allows a person to justify bad things for a good cause. What is the way out? Repent of your mindset.
30 - A Change at the Day of Prayer
Community Day of Prayer. But it is set up not so much as a time of prayer, but as a political event. In this case, there is a mean spirit going through the event. Pastor Saul is shunned. Patty decides not to go. Hal and business owners are now MCing the event.
When Patty refuses to go, Saul releases that this is an important conversation, but he does not have time to follow up on it. After all he is an important person.
31 - Joseph’s Comeuppance
Pastor Saul is no longer in his seat of honor. Actually not even assigned a seat on stage, but a kind guard finds him an empty seat. Joseph is outed. Pastor Anderson stomps off the stage. Joseph was born in Bekering. His father was driven out of town. A mob, incited by Hal Beatty, physically attacks Joseph.
Very similar to the Pharisees and Sadducees going after Jesus.
32 - Love Thine Enemies
Elsa apologises to Pastor Saul for the anger she has felt towards him. Saul’s response is mostly non-responsive. Elsa suggests that there may be common ground where they both could work for the good of the city. Pastor Saul says that he cannot. Elso confronts Saul with Jesus loved sinners, why can’t His people love those same sinners?
Swearengin notes that This was a moment grace would have served him well, but grace never seemed to replace Saul’s need to feel righteous. Something to think about beyond this book.
33 - A Frustrated Drive
Time of discontent for Pastor Saul. He sees the future and that is he will be told to leave his church. Family is not in a good situation-it is breaking apart. And he gets a speeding ticket.
34 - Saul’s Search for Answers
Pastor Saul goes to his church and rants to God. He feels the loss of his son, his church all that he has worked for. He wonders if God even cares. Joseph is there and tells him that God does care. Joseph says that He is letting stress come to Saul to get his attention. God is prepping Saul for the next phase of his life.
35 - A Harsh God
Joseph retells the story of a rich man having his servants earn money. Joseph’s interpretation goes from a works based one to relational. Joseph take on the story that instead of the rich man being harsh, it is because the staff did not know God’s heart. He then shows Saul a picture of the woman caught in adultery.
We have a choice: be the rock throwers in the women caught or those who offer grace. What is our picture of God? Harshness or a God of mercy? God is not Santa Claus with his list of good and bad kids. I am wondering if Swearengin stretches the story a bit.
He talks about the interplay between free will and God’s purpose.
I wonder how autobiographical the book is about Swearengin. But that is his story, not one I need to know about. Sort of like Peter asking Jesus about John.
36 - A New Sermon
Pastor Saul’s last sermon before being ousted. A different sermon than he has preached before.
Between services he found that an illegal city meeting was happening. He removed them from his office. His last sermon was a sermon of personal repentance of the lack of humility he has exhibited. Patty turned in the illegal meeting.
The book says there are three services. The repentance sermon is the third service. What did he do in the other two?
37 - The Board Meeting
Board meeting where Pastor Saul’s tenure is being decided. Money speaks. Pastor Saul resigns if the church does not change its ways.
Religion looks so good as it does such bad.
38 - No Longer a Pastor
Pastor Saul needs to do something common-he cleans the gutters. He listens to talk radio and hears Dirk ask Hall about the illegal meeting. Hal calls Saul and tells him that it was a no confidence vote. Pastor Saul notes he is not defined by a job.
39 - Two Reporters and An Idea
Newspaper reporter wants a quote, but he is still under contract. Then he sees a TV interview with Elsa on the rezoning. He realizes this is the project he and her can work together on. It had been a long time since he had nothing to lose.
40 - The Vote
The development which Hal wants is before the city council. Mayor Andy Strapp is speaking against it-political suicide. Pastor Saul is there. Elsa’s people come in respectfully with a presence against the development. Saul speaks against it. Council ties and does not approve the rezoning for the development. Saul realizes he has found his new life’s work.
Political minds can be changed.
41 - A Drive to the Past
Without a church and moving out of the parsonage into a condo. A small group of people have come together to surprise Pastor Saul with an old church and people who want to be led by the new Pastor Saul.
42 - Time to Change the World
Pastor Saul shows Joseph the new coffee area. Isaac is telling a story. He is now on the city council. Joseph announces he is leaving.
Epilogue
Joseph is now on to his next destination.
If you like the writings and stories of Joseph Bayly, I think you will like Paul Swearengin’s book Joseph Comes to Town. Bayly had a way of telling stories like they were parables, bringing the point home to a modern audience.. Swearengin is very similar here.
This book could have been very strident and turned off a lot of people. Particularly when Swearengin introduces us to what he wants to accomplish with these words: Is Jesus a conservative and a supporter of the right wing of American politics? It might be an odd question to ask. A better question might be to ask if Jesus supports the conservative political stances so prevalent in the American Evangelical Church today. Actually I think that an even better question might be not so much who in our political system is most like Christ, but would Jesus even bother with our political system? In our system we can be a Democrat, Republican or an Other. I suspect Jesus might pick the “None of the Above” option and just say I am for each and every person who he touches and tries to touch Him.
As a Christian, but one who is more a smidge left of center politically, it would be easy for me to sit back and look smugly on this book and say that even one of your own sees your faults all of you conservative Christians. In reality, if you look at Swearengin’s book, you realize it is much more. Each story, or parable if you would like, can be used to point to how we all come short of where God would want our politics and as such, our relationships to each other.
In this way, Swearengin has written a book which should be read by those of us in America who are called by Christ’s name. Not only to understand our failings, but even more so, to understand how God might want us to love and relate to each other. Note: I am in a weekly small group where Paul Swearengin is a major part of the wisdom of the group. I am thankful for this.
Notes from my book group:
Why does Swearengin name his main pastoral character Saul?
How did Joseph’s retelling of Biblical stories from a modern day point of view and settings, affect how you thought about these stories? When you read different passages do you bring them into a more modern context?
Why is the town called Bekering? Do you think it is much like our city (Fresno)?
Berking is the Afrikaner (and Dutch) word for repentance
One of the main points which Swearengin’s book makes is that God loves a person right where they are at. How does the book show this? Do you agree with Swearengin’s conclusions on this?
If you accept that God loves us unconditionally, how does grace and forgiveness play in his stories? How does this work in your life?
Talk about Joseph. As you were reading the book, who did you think Joseph is? Is he someone a “real” person can emulate? IF so, in what ways? What ways does he seem a bit mythical?
Talk about Joseph’s T-Shirts. Are there any which you felt you did not agree with? Would you wear any of them?
Why does Joseph use the term Father God? Is there significance to this term? How does it designate a relationship instead of the term God? Sometimes/A Lot of the time Joseph has a direct connection with God. Is this just a literary device which Swearengin uses? Do you wish for Joseph’s relationship with God? What would you give to have it?
At the Gala, Joseph condemns Hal. Is this out of character for his message that Father God loves all where they are at?
Swearengin says that Sometimes in church we forget how big God really is and how big his ability to love everyone. Do you agree? If so, how come this happens? If you disagree, how does your church allow this bigness of God’s love flow? How should this big love show up in your life? In your relationships with others?
Swearengin starts his book by saying: Is Jesus a conservative and a supporter of the right wing of American politics? It might be an odd question to ask. A better question might be to ask if Jesus supports the conswervative political stances so prevalent in the American Evangelical Church today. How do you think Swearengin is critiquing conserative politics mixturing with Christianity? What lessons can be applied to liberal politics mixture with religion? How should Christians interact with politics? Or is there no room there?
He also talks about the financial influences which affect how good news is presented in America. What are your thoughts as you read this? How is your local church affected by the tension to “make money” and the desire for a greater good?
Swearengin puts into the Mayor’s mount that the free-market and government work together. Do you think so? How? What would this look like? What would it take to have this idea to take hold?
There were two social issues of our time which dominated the book: abortion and sexual relations. How did this book affect your understanding of those subjects? How will you approach those subjects now?
Many of these questions are either from or adapted from LitLovers.
Why the title of Joseph Comes to Town?
Does this story work as a parable?
Did the ending seem fitting? Satisfying? Predictable?
Which character was the most convincing? Least?
Which character did you identify with?
Which one did you dislike?
Every story has a world view. Were you able to identify this story’s world view? What was it? How did it affect the story?
In what context was religion talked about in this book?
Was there anybody you would consider religious?
How did they show it?
Was the book overtly religious?
How did it affect the book's story?
Why do you think the author wrote this book?
What would you ask the author if you had a chance?
What “takeaways” did you have from this book?
What central ideas does the author present?
Are they personal, sociological, global, political, economic, spiritual, medical, or scientific
What evidence does the author use to support the book's ideas?
Is the evidence convincing...definitive or...speculative?
Does the author depend on personal opinion, observation, and assessment? Or is the evidence factual—based on science, statistics, historical documents, or quotations from (credible) experts?
What implications for you, our nation or the world do these ideas have?
Are these idea’s controversial?
To whom and why?
Are there solutions which the author presents?
Do they seem workable? Practicable?
How would you implement them?
Describe the culture talked about in the book.
How is the culture described in this book different than where we live?
What economic or political situations are described?
Does the author examine economics and politics, family traditions, the arts, religious beliefs, language or food?
How did this book affect your view of the world?
Of how God is viewed?
What questions did you ask yourself after reading this book?
Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...?
What was memorable?
New Words:
Bekering: Dutch word meaning turning point, a religious conversion
- Eponymous (14): giving their name to something
- First Line: The wind of Eastern Oregon came through the car’s window, gently brushing the driver’s long, curly hair as a yawn tried to escape his bearded mouth.
- Last
Line: What will they do now that Joseph has come to their town?
- Sometimes in church we forget how big God really is and how big his ability to love everyone. Chp 6 - A Life-Changing Collision
- It’s impossible for two sides to have healthy interaction when you’re in a winner-take-all battle. 20 - The Other Side of the Religious War
- Someday, when you stand in front of Father God, he won’t ask if you had good theology. No, He will ask if your good theology kept you from loving people.
- A person with a political mindset can miss what God is doing… A political mindset allows a person to justify bad things for a good cause. 29 - Changes in Bekering
- Forward
- Prologue
- 1 - The Marriage Rally
- 2 - Berking Politics
- 3- Seeing Joseph
- 4 - An Unexpected Guest
- 5 - Politically Incorrect Conversation
- 6 - A Life-Changing Collision
- 7 - Isaac’s Quest
- 8 - Teller of a Different Story
- 9 - Saul and His Sermon
- 10 - Migrants, Muslims and Miracles
- 11 - Saul Caught Spying
- 12 - A Pastor and the Mayor
- 13 - Memories Packed Away
- 14 - A Radio Show and A Straw Man
- 15 - The Radio Host
- 16 - Fishing for Answers
- 17 - A Gala Event
- 18 - Bekering, We Have A Problem
- 19 - Bekering’s Past and Future
- 20 - The Other Side of the Religious War
- 21 - The Stress of Being Mayor
- 22 - The Pastors’ Meeting
- 23 - Don’t Call Him A Pastor
- 24 - A Father-Son Clash
- 25 - Angst Around the Funeral
- 26 - A Surprise Funeral Guest
- 27 - Healing A Mother’s Heart
- 28 - Losing a Son and Losing Control
- 29 - Changes in Bekering
- 30 - A Change at the Day of Prayer
- 31 - Joseph’s Comeuppance
- 32 - Love Thine Enemies
- 33 - A Frustrated Drive
- 34 - Saul’s Search for Answers
- 35 - A Harsh God
- 36 - A New Sermon
- 37 - The Board Meeting
- 38 - No Longer a Pastor
- 39 - Two Reporters and An Idea
- 40 - The Vote
- 41 - A Drive to the Past
- 42 - Time to Change the World
- Epilogue
References:
- Author's Web Site
- Amazon-Book
- Amazon-Author
- GoodReads-Book
- GoodReads-Author
- Non-Partisan Evangelical (Paul Swearengin’s group)
- The God Journey podcast
- Kings River Life
