Too few Christians today, says Joshua Jipp, understand hospitality to strangers and the marginalized as an essential part of the church's identity. In this book Jipp argues that God's relation
Too few Christians today, says Joshua Jipp, understand hospitality to strangers and the marginalized as an essential part of the church's identity. In this book Jipp argues that God's relationship to his people is fundamentally an act of hospitality to strangers, and that divine and human hospitality together are thus at the very heart of Christian faith.
Jipp first provides a thorough interpretation of the major biblical texts related to the practice of hospitality to strangers, considering especially how these texts portray Christ as the divine host who extends God's welcome to all people. Jipp then invites readers to consider how God's hospitality sets the pattern for human hospitality, offering suggestions on how the practice of welcoming strangers can guide the church in its engagement with current social challenges—immigration, incarceration, racism, and more.
Jennifer M. McBride
— author of Radical Discipleship: A Liturgical Politics of the Gospel
“In this remarkable study Joshua Jipp shows that extending hospitality to outcasts and strangers is at the heart of biblical faith. As he moves from biblical exegesis to an analysis of our present moment, Jipp argues passionately that the practice of unconditional welcome is central to salvation and therefore requisite for Christians. No message could be more urgent today.”
Craig L. Blomberg
— author of Christians in an Age of Wealth: A Biblical Theology of Stewardship
“There are two quite different approaches to living life that we hear about today. One builds walls, fears others who are different, seeks wealth, and gives away little. The other builds bridges, welcomes those who are different, seeks just what is enough, and gives generously to the needy. Although both can be found in churches, only the second of these approaches is Christian. If you don’t believe this, read Joshua Jipp, whose biblical case is impeccable. If you do believe this, read Joshua Jipp, whose argument and practical examples will challenge even mature believers and churches.”
Soong-Chan Rah
— author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity
“The twenty-first-century American church faces the crisis of exclusion. In this book Joshua Jipp points toward the possibility of a church that is not drenched in the un-Christian characteristic of irrational xenophobia but instead follows in the footsteps of Jesus’s hospitality. If North American churches embrace this crucial biblical teaching, we may truly become the Christian witness we claim to be.”
Christine D. Pohl (from the foreword)
— author of Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition
“A wonderfully succinct, substantive, and engaging treatment. Jipp succeeds in showing that divine and human welcome are at the heart of our Christian faith. . . . He brings to life a fascinating and fruitful conversation between the ancient biblical texts and our current challenges. This work is a gift to the church and a major contribution to the recovery of the practice of hospitality.”
— Christian Century
"Few biblical scholars address ecclesial concerns so directly. . . . Each chapter concludes with a series of discussion questions that are suitable for use in adult education settings. I highly recommend this book not only for that purpose, but also for our common reflection and for scholarly reference."
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Joshua W. Jipp is assistant professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
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