EP 122: Scott Sauls - Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides

Welcome to The Shaun Tabatt Show! Scott Sauls is back on the show today to share about his book Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides (Tyndale House Publishers, 2015).

Here's the ground we cover in this episode:

The book opens with you stating, “I decided to write this book because I am tired. Tired of taking sides, that is.” Tell us about the season of your life that this book emerged from. What sorts of questions were you wrestling with at the time? (00:37 - 01:44) Another thing you talk about in the introduction is “outrage porn.” Explain what that is and give us some examples of where we’ve all likely seen this on full display in our culture over the past 3-6 months? (01:45 - 06:48) If I were to write a list of the top 5 sermon topics that will make your parishioners squirm, I’m guessing tithing would be near the top. In chapter four, you call out a study reported in Relevant magazine and share that if American Christians began to tithe regularly, global hunger, starvation, and death from preventable diseases could be relieved within five years. If this is truly the case, you’d think we’d be going for that with all we’re worth. Talk to us about wealth, greed, contentedness, and generosity, why do Christians struggle so much in these areas? (06:49 - 12:36) While sexuality has always been a hot button issue for the church, the questions that people are asking today are far different than they were even 5-10 years ago. In chapter eight, you say that God is both in favor of chastity and in favor of sexual freedom. Take a few minutes to help us build a biblical grid for how we can process and lovingly respond to the questions our family, friends and neighbors are asking about this topic? (12:37 - 18:48) I think one of the most humbling challenges of preparing a sermon or a writing a book is that we’re always in essence preaching to ourselves. Was there any particular part of Jesus Outside the Lines that was especially challenging for you to write? (18:49 - 20:30) Jesus Outside the Lines is nearing its two year anniversary, so you’ve had a lot of time for readers to share feedback with you. Are there any common themes or questions that have  come back to you? Anything that surprised you? (20:31 - 22:19) If Jesus Outside the Lines were releasing for the very first time in 2017, is there anything you would add or say differently? (22:20 -23:40) Scott, if you could have a 5 minute conversation with every reader who finishes Jesus Outside the Lines, how would you challenge or encourage them? (23:41 - 24:58) Are there any morning or evening that you’ve found to make you more productive with your writing and help you both start and end your day well? (24:59 - 28:48) What about getting into a groove or flow state for your writing? What does that look like for you? (28:49 - 30:00) Any tools or apps that are an indispensible part of your writing process? (30:01 - 30:42) Where can people go on the web to learn more about you and your books? (30:43 - 31:06)

About the Book:  Whether the issue of the day on Twitter, Facebook, or cable news is our sexuality, political divides, or the perceived conflict between faith and science, today's media pushes each one of us into a frustrating clash between two opposing sides. Polarizing, us-against-them discussions divide us and distract us from thinking clearly and communicating lovingly with others. Scott Sauls, like many of us, is weary of the bickering and is seeking a way of truth and beauty through the conflicts. Jesus Outside the Lines presents Jesus as this way. Scott shows us how the words and actions of Jesus reveal a response that does not perpetuate the destructive fray. Jesus offers us a way forward - away from harshness, caricatures and stereotypes. In Jesus Outside the Lines, you will experience a fresh perspective of Jesus, who will not (and should not) fit into the sides.

About the Author:  In March 2012, Scott began serving as the Senior Minister of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife Patti and two daughters, Abby and Ellie. Previously, Scott was a lead and preaching pastor for Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, where he worked alongside Dr. Timothy Keller. He has also planted churches in Kansas City and St. Louis, and is a frequent speaker at conferences, leadership retreats, and to university students.

Formative experiences have included being an athlete, living in a global city, and suffering through a season of anxiety and depression. Influential voices in Scott’s life include Tim Keller, CS Lewis, Leslie Newbigin, Soong Chan Rah, Jonathan Edwards, Johnny Cash, Joni Eareckson Tada, Miroslav Volf, Paul Tripp, Ann Voskamp, Martin Luther King, Jr., Marva Dawn, and NT Wright. In his free time you might find Scott relaxing with people or a book, strumming his Gibson J-45, hiking, eating Edley’s BBQ, enjoying live music, or cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and North Carolina Tar Heels.

Scott has authored two books: Jesus Outside the Lines and Befriend.

Connect with Scott:

ScottSauls.com Facebook Twitter (@ScottSauls) Instagram

For additional show notes, visit ShaunTabatt.com/122.