Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Orthodox Heretic And Other Impossible Tales
Rollins has already established himself as a major voice and an astute, generative force within the emergence Christianity. The Orthodox Heretic is his most accessible and engaging work to date." - Phyllis Tickle
In this bold new book Peter Rollins presents a vision of faith that has little regard for the institutions of Christendom. His uncompromising critique of religion,
...moreHardcover, 184 pages
Published
April 1st 2009
by Paraclete Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
796)
There is an interesting phenomenon emerging at the moment in Christian theological writing. It may even amount to new genre, which could perhaps be called "contemporary wisdom literature". In this form, beliefs and ideas that have derived from earlier texts (in the case of Christians the source material of the Bible and writings that draw from it) are conveyed in the form of stories or parables (as in this book) or that of prophetic vision (as in the case of The Shack) and perhaps other forms wi...more
A really good and unique book from Peter Rollins. I cannot compare it to his previous 2 books because I chose to read this one first, but I know that the previous two were theological treatises while this one is a book of parables. As Peter explains in the introduction, a parable is something that can speak to a wide range of people and can penetrate much deeper than abstract talk about God. So, this book is a collection of short (actually, very short) parables that Peter has written that explor...more
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 are just a fe...more
These are just a fe...more
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 and t...more
Oct 05, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
Rest and re/New "Postmodern Parables" series
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 book is that they get somewhat redu...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 book is that they get somewhat redu...more
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 is the foun...more
But the drawback is that the message is almost always the same: love of God and our fellow man is the foun...more
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 dark, but still en...more
Peter Rollins website carries the banner ''to believe is human; to doubt, divine". So you know doubt what territory you're in with his books. He was the founder of Ikon, an Irish emerging/alternative church group with a creative line in blending music art and imagery in worship. I'd experienced some of their work at festivals in the UK - it was nothing if not daring. The music and the imagery and the ideas were all creative and clever, but I sometimes found it hard to work out what they were act...more
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 book is a bunch of short...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 book is a bunch of short...more
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 trying...more
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 worth the rea...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 worth the rea...more
This is one of the most, at least in my eyes, important books on living a truthful life of love. Of a Christianity that is not just some way of hiding our fears and giving us something to stand on when we are afraid. I was surprised how, considering the trouble I had to read "How (Not) to Speak of God," easy it was to read this book, the parables were indeed thought provoking and the reflections were fantastic. I struggle to say this is a "light" book because it's not, it's one of the heaviest t...more
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.
Rollins presents 33 brief parables with commentary. Stories are capable of saying an awful lot and many of these are great at getting us to see things in a new way as Rollins challenges safe orthodoxy and some of our practices. However in a passing reference to the Matrix trilogy, he said it was directed by the Cohen brothers. Whatever the merits of the Matrix or the Wachowski brothers may be, they are no Cohens.
This is an interesting book and certainly worth the read. Rollins presents thirty-three parables, most pretty brief, along with commentary which informs the reader of the issue he was attempting to get at. In my view, the greatest number of the parables are a success. Some develop out of parables taught by Jesus, others are solely the author's. Effective in helping the reader look at their faith from a different perspective. Makes me want to read more of Rollins work.
This book is a call to action. It seems to see the message of God in action in deed rather then creed, which can be healthy unless taken to far. I think this book supplements evangelicalism in an extreme way. It is a great handmaiden (to borrow a term from Aquinas).
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!!
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.
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.
Incredibly challenging. The fact that it's all parables means you can pick it up and just read one, and not have to read the rest. Will re-read and re-read again.
This is a good book by a powerful writer and speaker. A series of parables that highlight different aspects of authentic vibrant faith.
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.
Rollins writes his own parables. O.O
Some are even rewrites of those of Jesus. O.O
Some are even rewrites of those of Jesus. O.O
Excellent discussion starters. I use these with my young teens church group.
Peter writes like he talks. Lots to take in, but worth it.
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.
This is a very smart read of Stories (or Parables) and their interpretation by the author, Peter Rollins. He does give you plenty to consider as one works on their faith. A worthwhile read.
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.
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-here...more
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/orthodox-here...more
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.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Nov 08, 2010 03:13pm