Thursday, July 4, 2013

book review: Chivalry by Zach hunter

Chivalry: The Quest for a Personal Code of Honor in an Unjust World by Zach Hunter, (Tyndale Momentum, 2013) is a not about knights chasing dragons and rescuing damsels in distress. It’s not about being a gentleman in a world that no longer teaches much about opening doors, and assisting with chairs. What Hunter sets out to do here is show how we can use the Knight’s code of conduct to be just people in a world that isn’t always just. The back jacket tells us that this is applying the ‘code’ to the teachings of Jesus is a radical way that will transform the person who applies the principles.
Chivalry is a fun book to read, it includes some theology, quotes from world leaders, some personal insights and interactions, and highlights a definite passion for justice for all, including and especially the marginalized.  The principles that Hunter addresses are sound, and include things like accountability (never walk alone) perseverance (never abandon the quest) justice, morality, and honor.
As I was reading, I kept returning to the idea that a lot of what Hunter writes about is the stuff that we want people to take from church on Sunday morning so that they can use it during the week. In fact some of it is stuff that pastors wish people would practice on Sunday during the Sunday school, worship and fellowship time.
The study questions and ‘codes’ at the end of the book are an excellent resource, and this might be a fun study to engage with in a small group setting.
I saw it as helpful, but not quite as transformational as the author would like it to be.
4/5


In exchange for a honest review I was provide a copy of the book by the publisher.

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