How (Not) To Speak Of God – Part 1
I had heard a great deal of buzz surrounding Pete Rollins’ book “How (Not) To Speak Of God”, but intentionally steered away from other reviews until I had a chance to read it myself. Unfortunately, the book came in the busiest time of my year, and given the thorough and “meaty” content of the book, I am still wrestling through it (I say that fully as a positive remark). Having finished “Part 1 – Heretical Orthodoxy: From Right Belief To Believing In The Right Way”, I thought I had better review in two parts, as I wanted the material fresh in my mind.
I should start by saying that I am no theologian. Beyond my high school diploma, my education has been through my own reading, which has been excellent, but not at the same level as I might have had with further education. As a result, reading Rollins’ book was a true labour and education in and of itself. I learned so much through reading it, for which I am very grateful. However, given the lack of prior engagement with some of the theological and philosophical material in the book, it is quite possible I have missed aspects of it. I say this, not to be self-depracting, but to encourage you to read the book yourself.
That being said, I believe that Pete Rollins offers most thorough formational a/theologies (you’ll have to read the book to know what that means) for the emerging church I have ever read. While I might disagree on aspects, usually only by small degrees, I was challenged, excited and inspired to hope as I read. He artfully allows postmodernism to inform his engagement with theology and praxis without allowing orthodoxy to be co-opted by it (thus the teasingly “controversial” phrase ‘heretical orthodoxy’).
The next section of the book, which represents about 2/3′s of the book, is entitled “Part 2 – Towards Orthopraxis: Bringing Theory To Church” reflects on how this a/theology plays itself out in the context of Pete’s community Ikon. I am really look forward to getting into it.
P.S. Don’t forget to keep voting for me this week. Thanks!
Jamie,
Thanks for the thoughtful review of my dear friend’s book! i hope you enjoy the 2nd half and i look forward to your review and thoughts! i think he does a fantastic job of writing and communicating heady material in a manner us “lay” people can understand. He is the same way when he speaks to! i hope you have the opportunity to meet him someday!
i just spent some time with him here in Richmond, VA recently and it was awesome. i think he is one of THE most important voices in this Third Millenium Christianity. i am looking forward to his next book that he is working on: Fidelity of Betrayal.
Pax,
Adele
Adele,
Wow, his second book sounds interesting just with the title. I hope I get to meet him as well. Thanks for stopping by!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie,
i commend you and thank you for always being faithful in responding to each and everyone of your commenters! You are so cool and i know for me, it means alot! Thanks for being such a good example to us all out here in blogdom!
Adele
Adele,
That means a great deal to me. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I always look forward to seeing your comments!
Peace,
Jamie
Thanks for the review. Is anyone writing on small group ministry in the emerging church?
Vinnie,
Good question. However, I lack an answer. My recommendation is to ask Andrew Jones of tall skinny kiwi fame.
Peace,
Jamie