Book Review: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

In her preface, Butterfield describes what she means by the oft-repeated phrase: “practicing radically ordinary hospitality”. It is those who “see their homes not as theirs at all but as God’s gift to use for the furtherance of his kingdom. They open doors; they see out the under-privileged. They know that the gospel comes with a house key. They take biblical theology seriously, as well as Christian creeds and confessions and traditions” (pg. 11). She goes on to explain that practicing this type of hospitality means that a Christian does not need to “worry about what the unbelieving neighbors think, because the unbelieving neighbors are right here sharing our table, and they are more than happy to tell us what they think” (pg. 12). But she also warns that practicing radically ordinary hospitality “necessitates building margin time into the day, time where regular routines can be disrupted but not destroyed” (pg. 12).

The case is then made from the Bible concerning the need for Christians to extend hospitality toward others – not just those who think and believe the same as themselves. Throughout this explanation and exploration, the author gives real examples of both the pleasures and difficulties of practicing this Christian gift and discipline. There is certainly no hint of this grace being easy or without significant challenges. Yet, the consistent vision that comes through even some very difficult circumstances is one of grace and glory as a Christian family chooses to share their life with people from all backgrounds. Perhaps this is best illustrated with her somewhat tongue-in-cheek comment that “each life holds treasures indescribable, some of which take on the form of holes in your walls” (pg. 21).

Some might consider the vision she paints for radically ordinary hospitality to be more than most in the church could ever hope to emulate. And perhaps the author could have spent more time giving a few explanations and caveats about the nature of this Christian gift and discipline. However, she is clear to communicate that this is primarily a book for Christians who live in the Western World – a place where true Christian hospitality is almost akin to an endangered species. Being that so many in the Western world view their home as their castle and are often reluctant to open wide the doors of hospitality, the book strikes a helpful counter-balance in what is often an ignored discipline for many Christians. Butterfield gives an earnest plea for the benefits of practicing this difficult discipline:

“It brings glory to God, serves others, and lives out the gospel in word and deed. If you are prohibited from using your living space in this way, it counts if you support in some way some household in your church that is doing it. The purpose of radically ordinary hospitality is to build, focus, deepen, and strengthen the family of God, pointing others to the Bible-believing local church, and being earthly and spiritual good to everyone we know” (pg. 31).

Certainly, her argument for practicing this form of hospitality has much Biblical warrant as well as a rich tradition in church history. The early church was certainly known for such hospitable practices. But the author does acknowledge that there is significant cost to this. Some people will not understand or will misinterpret what you are trying to do, but she points out that Jesus told us this would be the case if we emulated Him. Also, she acknowledges the very practical reality that practicing hospitality consistently will lead to potentially doubling or tripling a family’s grocery budget and will likely mean sacrifices in other areas too. In the final chapter, she makes a heavy attack against the idols of our materialistic culture that keep so many Christians from ever inviting people into their homes.

At this point, one caution may need to be expressed. When the reader considers the rather full schedule that that author’s household practices (given on pages 43-44), many Christian readers might feel overwhelmed. But the author makes clear that their family’s current practices are not necessarily what everyone must do, nor did these practices happen overnight. This is the product of more than a decade of trying to strategically practice Christian hospitality. Subsequently, no reader needs to be overwhelmed that there are only two options; either not practicing hospitality at all or doing it all the time and every day. This acknowledgement also leads to a small critique. It should be stated that the Butterfield family is in specific situation and they have chosen certain circumstances in life. These decisions should be applauded, but for a family where both parents work or where there are young infants in the home, practicing this extent of Christian hospitality may look very different. The author acknowledges this in the final chapters and gives several illustrations of what this might look like for people in different circumstances.

This is a much-needed book with a glorious vision for what God can do when Christians choose to express love like Jesus by opening up their hearts and homes to others. Readers will be challenged to give much thought and consideration to this Christian discipline so seldom practiced in the Western World today. At the same time, readers who wish to pursue this necessary Christian grace will be given many ideas for how to begin. Perhaps Butterfield’s expression of the goal of radically ordinary hospitality is the most helpful encapsulation: “It meets people as strangers and makes them neighbors; it meets neighbors and makes them family” (pg. 172). In a world where so many are lonelier than ever, the Christian discipline of hospitality is certainly something to be emphasized in the church today. This book is a helpful tool, giving a wonderful and grace-filled vision of what that hospitality looks like.