Quotes from Shane Claiborne

MOST of the ugliness in the human narrative comes from a distorted quest to possess beauty. COVETING begins with appreciating blessings: MURDER begins with a hunger for justice. LUST begins with a recognition of beauty. GLUTTONY begins when our enjoyment of the delectable gifts of GOD starts to consume us. IDOLATRY begins when our seeing a reflection of God in something beautiful leads to our thinking that the beautiful image bearer is worthy of WORSHIP.

Charity is merely returning what we have stolen.

The church is like Noah's ark. It stinks, but if you get out of it, you'll drown.

Looking into the eyes of people who love us may be the clearest glimpse of God many of us get in this world.

We have placed such idolatrous faith in our ability to protect ourselves that we call it more courageous to die killing than to die loving.

The world of efficiency and anonymity dehumanises us. We have to ask who the invisible people are. Who makes our clothes? Who picks our vegetables? And how are they treated?

In an age of million-dollar mansions for God, it's hard to imagine that our God prefers tents.

Lord, you call us out of captivity into the freedom of your beloved community. As we pass through the wilderness spaces of our lives, grant us ears to hear you, eyes to see you, and hearts that ache for you, that we might not turn away from the brothers and sisters who help us remember who we are. Amen.

Lord, keep us from following the gods of pride, stubbornness, vanity, sloth, greed, and comfort that beckon for our allegiance every day. You brought us through the night watches, you who neither slumber nor sleep. We pray to follow you along the path of generosity, humility, and love throughout this day. Amen.

Few people are interested in a religion that has nothing to say to the world and offers them only life after death, when what people are really wondering is whether there is life before death.

The question becomes not just how to accumulate more, but how to covet less.

There is nothing more sickening than talking about poverty over a fancy dinner.