Format Derails Book

The idea that the actual words of Jesus should receive extra special attention and honor isn’t a new one, as the red-letter versions of the scripture attest. The authors believe the concept should be renewed in modern times. Referencing such topics as hell, economics, Islam, and women’s issues, among many others, the book is essentially dialogue written in paragraph form.

While I respect Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo, and even understand the passion behind the thesis, I feel that the message they were trying to portray in The Red Letter Revolution, and the style in which they presented it lent itself more to a live panel discussion than a literary work.

I’m afraid I never could bring myself to finish this book. The format was much too distracting, and took away from what could be a compelling look at humanity’s besetting sin, that of not taking the Word of God seriously enough.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing in return for my honest opinion.

Finding Our Way Illuminates

A Review of:

Finding Our Way Again

by Brian McLaren

Like the aging actor, fumbling lines he has long ago committed to memory, America’s sense of faith seems to have forgotten the lines. We’re in danger of being lost in a watered down soup that could only be described as postchristendom.

Brian McLaren sounds a warning that is at once heartening comfort food for the wandering spiritual traveler, and a gentle wakeup call for sleeping souls.

Finding our way is about integrating ancient liturgical practices of the Catholic and Anglican tradition with the individualized spontaneity of Protestantism. The broken marriage between Catholics and the Reformers has divided the church for centuries and produced a spiritual disorientation that McLaren believes can be made whole by a return to practices that have only been preserved in certain denominations. Far from a book about reviving dead ritual, the book sparkles with meaningful suggestions about transforming each day into a new worshipful experience with God. 

One fly in the ointment for the average Christian is McLaren’s inclusion of Islam as one of the three Abrahamic religions. While he doesn’t develop this idea, it stands out as an odd grouping to a westerner. 

Questions at the end of each chapter provide opportunity to interact with the book. 

I received  a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through the booksneeze program in return for my honest opinion.