Rollins has already established himself as a major voice and an astute, generative force within the emergence Christianity. The Orthodox Heretic...
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Jul 24, 2011
David
rated it: 
A retelling of the parable of Jesus feeding the 5000, only this time Jesus and his disciples steal their food and eat it all? A story about a holy priest who shows hospitality to all who come to his church, even a demon from hell? The tale of a woman who goes off to a foreign land hoping to translate the scripture but ends up using the money she raises to help the residents after natural disasters only to find that this act translates scripture just as well as words on a page?
These More...
These More...
Mar 12, 2010
Rachael
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The thing which turned me off of this book is its pretentiousness. It is too conscious of its own greatness and depth and in the process loses most of it. Likewise, the author is often too superficial in the way he critiques 'consumerism' and the capitalist system under the guise of what he calls the 'radical' demands of Christ. He seems to paint through his stories a picture of a black and white world, one in which there are people who follow what he claims to be the true spirit of Christ an
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Oct 05, 2011
Elizabeth
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I really liked some of these stories (Rollins isn't willing to go so far as to call them "parables" himself).
Some of them are really troubling (though Rollins includes a commentary after each tale, which helps explain what he was trying to get at in each given tale). Though hey, this coming Sunday has a troubling parable in its lectionary, so I suppose Rollins is in keeping with tradition.
Something one reviewer mentioned and which I noticed partway through the More...
Some of them are really troubling (though Rollins includes a commentary after each tale, which helps explain what he was trying to get at in each given tale). Though hey, this coming Sunday has a troubling parable in its lectionary, so I suppose Rollins is in keeping with tradition.
Something one reviewer mentioned and which I noticed partway through the More...
Sep 07, 2011
Kevin
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These stories are best read one at a time in a quite moment when you have some time to think (as the author says in the introduction). If used in the right way and with the right attitude they can force the reader to think differently about faith and belief; to focus more on living out their faith in the here and now rather than dreaming of heavenly rewards or obsessed with correct doctrine.
But the drawback is that the message is almost always the same: love of God and our fellow man More...
But the drawback is that the message is almost always the same: love of God and our fellow man More...
Jan 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
The four stars don't include the introduction, which I did not like at all. The author came off as incredibly arrogant - I don't take kindly to being told "this is a great book, and you must read it in this particular way or else you will be unable to properly appreciate its greatness." It's especially ironic given that several of the parables deal with the inherent uncertainty of Christianity, notably summed up by the last line of the book: "we humbly admit that we are in the d
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Oct 27, 2011
Eric
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I am happy to report that I have rated this book 5 out of 5. And I'm not happy for the book's sake; I'm happy for my sake, because it means that I am reading better books that I am enjoying more. My last three books have all rated 4 or 5. But in the ten before that, only one reached a 4 rating.
Ah, Goodreads.
I came across this book because my small group decided to read it, then abandon it halfway through. I was well-advised to pace myself instead of rushing through. The b More...
Ah, Goodreads.
I came across this book because my small group decided to read it, then abandon it halfway through. I was well-advised to pace myself instead of rushing through. The b More...
Jul 26, 2010
Laura
rated it:
I don't usually give 5 stars to books, but I do when a book really influences me. What I found so refreshing about Peter Rollins is that it took me back to a time when I felt the same way. I really connected with this book because these are all things I have thought about before in another time and place in my life. I just didn't realize how jaded I had become over the years. As the Beatles say, All You Need is Love, and that is all Jesus has ever been about. I just wish people would stop t
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Apr 18, 2011
Mindy
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Rollins' book is filled with short parables, some based directly off stories from the Bible, others his own creations, to discuss new ways of looking at faith and how to live out life as a follower of Jesus. Following each parable, he writes a short commentary with his thoughts on it, where it came from, how it can be applied to life.
The ideas were nothing groundbreaking, but the format was a fresh way to present them, rather than the standard couple hundred page narrative. It was w More...
The ideas were nothing groundbreaking, but the format was a fresh way to present them, rather than the standard couple hundred page narrative. It was w More...
Sep 27, 2011
Coryke
rated it:
A thought provoking book full of parables designed to understand the Christian life anew. Some of the parables missed for me, but when they hit, they were great. I'll refrain from detailing what the book does well and less than well since that is largely subjective. Rather, I'll simply note that the opportunity to rethink some ideas and get to answers that are so far from the typical traditional drivel offered in church was refreshing.
Feb 09, 2012
Wayne
rated it:
Through parables Peter forces/encourages you to think about many facets of the spiritual life and their deep implications on your life. You will be challenged and rejuvenated as you explore the complexities and intricacies of faith through simple stories. Brilliant!!
Aug 26, 2011
Brandon
rated it:
My first e-book. Not sure if I like the e-reading experience and I'm unsure how it effected my experience with this book. Some really engaging parables, so mediocre ones. I'll have to re-visit it from time to time.
Nov 01, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
Incredible! I cannot figure out how to give 6 stars on this thing. And I cannot figure out why the overall rating from others is only 3.92! Peter advises to take time to meditate on each parable instead of breezing through, I tried, but it was so hard to put down.
Jul 25, 2010
Johnny
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This book has had a profound impact on my life. I can't write about it right now, perhaps after a second or third reading.
Feb 16, 2010
I wish I'd had a chance to read a bit more in this before I had to return it, but it wasn't a book to devour quickly. Hoping to pick it up again later.
Nov 23, 2011
Sam
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Some very interesting modern parables. Some are pretty existential. Like when God claims "I do not exist" to show that He cannot be defined in human terms. Quite good overall, though.
Oct 15, 2011
Adam
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Short review: Rollins is intentionally telling the reader parables. Some are based on Jesus' parables, some just use the parable form. He is intentionally trying to get us to focus on things that are different from Jesus' parables. Once I got past that and just listened to what he was saying I enjoyed it much more. Each chapter (there are 33) has a parable and then his explanation of the parable. As you would expect, some are better than others.
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/orthodox-heretic-rollin... More...
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/orthodox-heretic-rollin... More...
Aug 06, 2009
Thomas
rated it:
Many of these stories will I know stick with me for a while. I hope to periodically read some of them again with others to spark some interesting conversations. And as these stories resonate with time I'm sure I'll find ways to apply the lessons learned from this book.
Nov 13, 2010
Kristen
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This book was not what I was expecting. The overall message is one of love, forgiveness and faith. Very refreshing... I wasn't able to put it down.
Sep 10, 2011
Gaylene
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This was a book for Christians of "twisted" parables. I thought it was very thought provoking and plan to refer to it when I am in the process of questioning a situation within the church.
Aug 09, 2010
daniel
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Very interesting and thought-provoking stories that will stick with me and that I will come back to repeatedly.
I found the prose explanations of most of the stories to be a bit distracting — I'd prefer that they be included as endnotes or something so that the stories could stand on their own before insisting on an interpretation.
I found the prose explanations of most of the stories to be a bit distracting — I'd prefer that they be included as endnotes or something so that the stories could stand on their own before insisting on an interpretation.
Jan 07, 2010
Tom
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Some interesting modern parables. A bit hit-and-miss, but there are some gems in here. Each parable concludes with the author's commentary, which somewhat undermines the point of speaking in parables. A good nightstand or devotional read.
Jan 25, 2010
Laryn
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"...we must question the difference between the heresy of orthodoxy, in which we dogmatically claim to have the truth, and orthodox heresy, in which we humbly admit that we are in the dark but still endeavor to live in the way of Christ as best we can."
Sep 20, 2011
Carl
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Great book full of thought provoking parables. My favorite one is "Salvation for a Demon". It completely pushed against the way I have been brought up to think of "Whatever you do unto one of the least of these, you do unto me".
Jun 15, 2010
Mike
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Rollins stuns with new twists on well known parables and some new ones imagined by him. Always thought provoking. Well worth the read.
Feb 10, 2012
