6th February, 2007

JOE MONTAGUE

“Going against the flow is something that comes naturally to me," says provocative US-based Christian author Matthew Paul Turner.

"If there was a group of people going in one direction, I was the one who would buck the system and go the opposite direction just because I could and wanted to be different. I think that was definitely true for a long time. It became a part of who I was. I didn’t like fitting in just because it was the right thing to do. I wanted someone to look at my culture and my world. I wanted there to be a reason behind why I said what I said and did what I did and the things that I stood for."

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE: Matthew Paul Turner's books cover subjects including fromChristian beliefs, sex, politics and money. His new book 'Jesus Needs New PR' is due out this September. "Not afraid of tackling controversial subjects and ruffling a few feathers in the process, Turner's books have ranged from the provocative 'What You Didn’t Learn From Your Parents About Sex (A Guide To A Touchy Subject)', to the humorous 'Beatitude: Relearning Jesus Through Truth, Contradiction, And A Folded Dollar Bill' and the more serious 'What You Didn’t Learn From Your Parents About Christianity (A Guide To A Spirited Subject)'."

A former editor of CCM Magazine and now an in-demand author, the 33-year-old's writing style could be described as quirky, in your face, controversial, humorous and intelligent.

Turner’s first book was the satirical Christian Culture Survival Guide. It was so well received that it soon prompted invitations from other publishers to tackle other themes.

“When NavPress came to me and said we want you to write a series on sex, Christianity, politics and money I liked the concept, plus I liked the (topics) but I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” he says alluding to the heavy research the writing entailed.

He also wanted to write lighter books tackling heavier subjects - not an easy task.

“So many people in their 20s and 30s know what they believe in terms of Jesus but they don’t know very much about the history of Jesus and the history of Christianity. They do not know the ongoing relationship between pop culture and Jesus. That is how I approached the book. I thought about what I didn’t learn from mom and dad and no offense to my mom and dad, it was just things that they would not have discussed. I tried to write a funny book. It is a fun read that introduces you to the basic ideas of Christianity."

Not afraid of tackling controversial subjects and ruffling a few feathers in the process, Turner's books since have ranged from the provocative What You Didn’t Learn From Your Parents About Sex (A Guide To A Touchy Subject), to the humorous Beatitude: Relearning Jesus Through Truth, Contradiction, And A Folded Dollar Bill and the more serious What You Didn’t Learn From Your Parents About Christianity (A Guide To A Spirited Subject), an intelligently written book which provides new Christians and non-Christians with an easy-to-read look at why Christians believe what they do and how we got here in the first place.

Turner, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, says that while he doesn't go to an emergent church, "the emergent movement is all about inviting people to be a part of the conversation". He says much of the Christian community simply avoid talking about deeper subjects such as politics or social justice.

“It has been my experience that we (in the Christian community) are not willing to have these conversations," he says. "We lose out because there are things that I learn from another person’s journey. Some of my best conversations are with people who do not necessarily agree with me."

Turner believes that too often within Christian circles, the scope of discussion limited. He says it poses a significant problem for those outside the church as they peer through the window trying to find something attractive inside to inflame their curiosity.

“It (appears) that we are constantly trying to limit the ability of people to think or the ability to process,” he says.

The apprehension that inhibits more open discussion concerning deeper issues arises in part, says Turner, from our "well intentioned gone wrong" fear of offending others within the community.

“I think we are afraid to talk about certain topics. We are afraid we will offend somebody and we are all about ‘my goodness’. When it comes to our own community, God forbid that we offend anyone. We don’t mind offending anyone outside our community, it is only the people inside our community (that we are very sensitive towards)."

Turner doesn't think those within the church are"all that sensitive" to people unless they are "actually willing to begin a journey with Jesus or adhere to some of the teachings of the church".

"If you were a gay person living in America, would you want to be a Christian in any way or form?" he asks. "Would there be anything attractive about the evangelical church if you were a gay person? There would be something very attractive about Jesus, but concerning the church there is nothing that I see in the bigger culture that would make me (think) the church is where I am going to find healing, hope or peace."

Turner says the church is particularly inept at allowing open discussion in areas concerning sexuality, depression, mood and mental disorders; that people within the church would rather pretend everything is OK for fear of not finding healing and instead winding up under a holy microscope.

“I think as Christians we try to pretend that we have everything all figured out and all worked out," says Turner. "We present this perfect way of life. We present the ideal yet none of us live up to the ideal. We can’t live up to the ideal - that is the whole point of Jesus."

“In the dark corners of our world we are having fights with our spouse, struggling with feelings of sexuality and depression. Every human being can relate to these journeys but we keep putting up the front. (We keep saying) stay the course and God is going to (help us) work through this. Everything is going to be alright. Keep the faith. Life is about faith but faith comes with a journey."

Having rattled the cages of the establishment, Turner could be likened to one of the prophets of the Old Testament. While some may see him as brash and irreverant, Turner's controversial take on life comes from a passion burning deep within him aimed at ensuring the walls Christians sometimes erect do not discourage others.

“It’s all about how the message is portrayed and what that message is," he says. "First, I think the message has to be centered on Jesus, Him being the figure of the world. Also (it needs to be) about teaching us how to live."

"I want to go into culture and present an accurate message. I do not want to present it only by word but by life in general. The simple things like being kind, merciful, taking care of the poor, looking for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. (I am talking about) in every situation, in the here and now, not just situations that I can look forward to being in some day.”

While his writings may at times be pointed - "at times it is therapeutic for us to be able to laugh at ourselves,” Turner says - his conversation always comes back to his relationship with Jesus.

“I love thinking about Jesus. I think as a church it is easier for us to believe that Jesus is God than it is to believe that He is human. Believing He is God sets Him apart from us but believing He is human puts Him in our perspective. We don’t like thinking about Him that way and I don’t know why.”

~ http://jesusneedsnewpr.blogspot.com

~ www.myspace.com/matthewpaulturner