I first stumbled across Peter Rollins while in seminary and have always found him provocatively attracting. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything he professes, he has pushed me to wrestle with my faith at a deeper level and challenged me to have a more consistent ethic and theology. When I had the chance to review his book The Orthodox Heretic, I knew I had to take it. It was one of the first Rollins books I read while in seminary and found myself both repulsed and attracted by it. Upon initial reading, I would find myself both angry at what he said and encouraged by it at the same time. My anger, as I reflected more, stemmed from some nerve that he hit that I didn’t particularly like having touched. He offended me but it always prompted me to change, or at least evaluate myself and live more consistently.
Rollins isn’t for everybody. He brash manner and postmodern faith can be a bit too much for some folks. That said, he has some good words that we need to hear in the Western Church. He challenges, provokes, angers, repulses and attracts all at once.
This book is a collection of Rollins parables designed to make us wrestle with our faith and Scripture in new ways. He retells stories of the prodigal son, the woman caught in adultery and the feeding of the 5000 among others. At the end of each parable is some commentary by Rollins to help the reader understand the direction and intended desire and emotion that he hoped to evoke.
Rollins, like Jesus, does an excellent job at teaching through story. He communicates strongly the lavishness of love, the meaning of true faith and a deep life of spirituality based in Jesus. He challenges common assumptions that we have about God, faith and Christianity and instead challenges us to chase what really matters, the deep and abiding love found in God.
Personally, Rollins has pushed me to develop into a better storyteller so that I too might be able to communicate through narrative the truth found in Scripture. I find the way he communicates compelling and reread his parables when I need a challenge or an inspiration.
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About Peter Rollins (via his personal site):
Peter Rollins is a widely sought after writer, lecturer, storyteller and public speaker. He is also the founder of ikon, a faith group that has gained an international reputation for blending live music, visual imagery, soundscapes, theatre, ritual and reflection to create what they call ‘transformance art’.
Peter gained his higher education from Queens University, Belfast and has earned degrees (with distinction) in Scholastic Philosophy (BA Hons), Political Theory (MA) and Post-Structural thought (PhD). He is currently a research associate with the Irish School of Ecumenics in Trinity College, Dublin and is the author of the much talked about How (Not) to Speak of God. His most recent work is entitled Insurrection. He was born in Belfast but currently resides in Greenwich, CT and is employed by The Olson Foundation.
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Disclaimer: I reviewed a free copy of this book through the Paraclete Press blogging program. I was in no way compensated for this review and all views are solely and completely my own. I was not required to offer a positive review either through the publisher or author.
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I am giving away copy of Peter Rollins The Orthodox Heretic to someone on the blog. To be entered to win, please do the following:
- Leave a comment below and share the following:
Someone who has personally helped pushed you to grow in faith and how they did that.
One author that has been formative in your faith journey.
An email so I can get in touch with you if you win. - BONUS ENTRY: Tweet this blog post (include me in the tweet) – @jshiebert
- BONUS ENTRY: Follow me on Twitter and send me a tweet letting me know you started following me to win a copy of the book.
- BONUS ENTRY: Subscribe to the blog and send me an email letting me know that you subscribed to win a copy of the book.
Winner will be chosen (at random) at the conclusion of the giveaway which runs through March 9.
*Note: Because of current restrictions, winners must reside within the U.S.
My friend Dave from college pushed me all the time by his example. He was so passionate that it actually made me want to pursue Christ more than I was! An influential author would be Brennan Manning, who helped me understand how big and wide grace really is.
E-mail: justinboulmayblog [at] yahoo[dot]com
That’s great Justin! Thanks for sharing and participating in the drawing. I will be drawing a winner soon but really appreciated your comments.
To this day, the person who impacted me most in my faith journey was my 4th grade Sunday School teacher, Tanya Harder Morse. Her life and untimely death both taught me lessons about myself and about God.
I’ve actually probably done more formative reading of Christian fiction than of books about theology, et. al. I credit authors like Karen Kingsbury and Lauraine Snelling for helping me begin to hear the small voice of God in daily life.
DDMjer29.11@gmail.com
My friend from work Russell, who is a Therevedan Buddhist, has pushed me to truly explore my faith and do pursue Jesus as a person and teacher, rather than just an idea. He and I take daily walks around downtown Lexington and discuss spirituality, morality, and ethics. While we have fundamental differences our conversations and his beliefs have caused me to reevaluate my relationship with Christ and to strive to be a true disciple and doer of Jesus’ words. I wish to experience the life of Kingdom of God here and now, in the present, rather than just see it as something to wait for.
Stanely Hauerwas has been extremely formative in my faith journey as well. His book Resident Aliens changed my view of the church’s role in the world and also the importance of having, building, and sharing a community narrative in keeping the church on task.
adam.dickison@gmail.com
Adam,
Thanks for sharing. That challenge in our faith can come from many different people and places. Glad you have a friend who can push you. I will be drawing a winner soon and wanted to thank you for your comments and for entering. Grace and Peace.
My friend from work Russell, who is a Therevedan Buddhist, has pushed me to truly explore my faith and do pursue Jesus as a person and teacher, rather than just an idea. He and I take daily walks around downtown Lexington and discuss spirituality, morality, and ethics. While we have fundamental differences our conversations and his beliefs have caused me to reevaluate my relationship with Christ and to strive to be a true disciple and doer of Jesus’ words. I wish to experience the life of Kingdom of God here and now, in the present, rather than just see it as something to wait for.
Stanely Hauerwas has been extremely formative in my faith journey as well. His book Resident Aliens changed my view of the church’s role in the world and also the importance of having, building, and sharing a community narrative in keeping the church on task.
adam.dickison@gmail.com
Note that, as a MennoNerd, I do NOT expect preferential treatment.
That said, during my seminary time, I interned under a friend of mine, Scott Roth. I had been playing, around the edges, with looking at new models of what church looks like, what being a church leader/minister looks like in a post-modern/post-Christendom era, and how to live an organic Christianity within my community. Scott constantly amazes me with the way that he pushes outward beyond the walls of the church and, to quote him “plant Jesus and see what grows”. It’s been an amazing journey to partner with him in some of these things and, while he is a bit younger than me, he has been very influential in my seeking of new ways to minister for Christ.
As for authors, I would say it’s a tie. For classic Anabaptist thought, I’ve gotta default to John Howard Yoder. “Politics of Jesus” has been incredibly formative in my thinking about how a Christian interacts with the world around them (not just interaction with the state). A very close second would be Scot McKnight and his book “Jesus Creed”. The focus on the Shema and the “Love your neighbor” commandments and how Jesus live that out as his creed during his ministry has focused my life into a similar two-pronged focus. How do I love God with everything that is of me? And how do I show that love to my neighbor, be they the friendly Christian beside me in the pew or the “filthy heretical Samaritan” down the street.
You should have my e-mail addy around somewhere already.
Isn’t being a MennoNerd an automatic plus 15 entries? Wait…probably shouldn’t…..
Thanks for sharing. I’ve got Jesus Creed up next for review and was also sent the DVD that goes along with it. Excited to dive into it this next week.
Grace and Peace.
First influence was my dad, a pastor. Then was pushed by roommates in college who came from a different background theologically. Greg Boyd’s the Myth of a Christian Nation helped me finally let go of America-ism. Have been helped tremendously by augmenting my BIC church with podcasts from Woodland Hills (Boyd) and The Meeting House (Bruxy Cavey).
SWilcock at Messiah dot edu
Your a PK and still love Jesus? Than you dad definitely did something right
Boyd’s Myth book is a fantastic read and I think should be required reading for anybody who wants to talk about anything theologically in America…really helps challenge some common (yet I think untrue) assumptions and beliefs. Haven’t listened to much Bruxy but love what I have heard.
Drawing a winner soon. Best of luck.