Substance vs. Make-Believe: New Book Examines 'Naked Emperors' in Church
Contact: Brad Fenichel, 302-229-8040
ELKTON, Md., October 3, 2011 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Inspirational author Brad Fenichel today announced the rollout of his new book,
When We Pipe, God Shall Dance.
"It's an open letter to the Western Church, and to America in particular," Fenichel says. "Most Christians would agree that our nation is in a desperate season of spiritual drought. But, rather than crying out to God -- since, secretly, we don't believe He's listening -- we carry on with our sensational rain dance: righteous activism, televangelism, church growth seminars. And when the rains don't come, well, the dance becomes an acceptable end in itself. Enough, already! Our activities, though commendable, aren't conducive to true revival. What we need is an encounter with the Reviver Himself!"
Brad Fenichel's thesis, presented as inspirational fiction, takes on what he calls "the elephant in the corner of the sanctuary -- and of our prayer closet as well: the perception of God as a cosmic absentee father." His narrative follows Wilhelm Wagner, a youth who immigrated to Mexico from his native Germany during World War I in search of religious "substance," only to discover, wherever he went, a church culture that was, like himself, awash in "make-believe." Wagner's personal journey, through triumph and tragedy -- with a dash of romance in the mix -- culminates in a resounding finale of hope.
Citing Jesus' message to the church in Revelation 3, Brad says, "The point is, God's not lost. He's standing at the door patiently waiting to enter and transform us gloriously -- as individuals, as a Church, and even (at last) as a nation -- whenever we're ready to open it."
Whatever else it may be, this book is clearly meant to be an eyebrow raiser. "It's time," Brad says, alluding to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, "to begin the transition -- both individual and collective -- from a state of denial to the full realization that we, the emperor, are naked. Only then can the loving Father meet us where we truly are and clothe us in His glorious robe of righteousness."
Tucked in the back of this novel is a 39-page study guide for personal devotions and small groups.
