Victoria T. (justicepirate) reviewed Red Letter Revolution: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said? on + 350 more book reviews
My husband had read this book first and he had shown me several articles from the Red Letter Revolution website too. I liked the conversation brought forth between Mr. Claiborne and Mr. Campolo. I tend to see eye to eye with them. This was the first time I have read Mr. Campolo's writings, and I had a harder time with things he stated than what Mr. Claiborne stated in this book, but then again I have also read two other books by Mr. Claiborne that really were amazing to me (and one that changed my whole outlook on things that led me to see things more clearly in God's Word afterwards).
So what is this book about?
Two guys talk about things that may not be the "popular" ideals of most Christians in the US (at least certainly not the majority I know of Christians here in NJ at all), but they are full blown willing to live in revolt to the empire (well spiritually, not physically) and in triumph through God's Kingdom. Live out Jesus' words stated in the gospels. See them as truth.
It was a good book and there were certainly wonderful things mentioned, but I would recommend The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus For President (both by Shane Claiborne) to be read first or instead even.
So what is this book about?
Two guys talk about things that may not be the "popular" ideals of most Christians in the US (at least certainly not the majority I know of Christians here in NJ at all), but they are full blown willing to live in revolt to the empire (well spiritually, not physically) and in triumph through God's Kingdom. Live out Jesus' words stated in the gospels. See them as truth.
It was a good book and there were certainly wonderful things mentioned, but I would recommend The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus For President (both by Shane Claiborne) to be read first or instead even.
Naomi D. (nomer15) -
"Red Letter Revolution: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?" by Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo is written as a dialogue between the two authors. They introduce it as a "new movement" of believers who attempt to take seriously the words of Christ and commit to living them out in daily life. Overall, they tackle twenty-six different topics, including hell, Islam, family, racism, homosexuality, immigration, politics, war, national debt, and missions, divided into three separate sections.
There are some good points in the book. Both authors call the church out on handling finances--do we have a balance between what we use for ourselves and what we give away to take care of those in need (both within and without our church)? Both authors call us back to being good stewards of creation, a hearkening back to God's call to Adam in Genesis 1.
But overall, the book had far more troubling aspects than good ones. I found it to be pretty reductionist and incomplete. For example, evangelism has been reduced to "recruiting agents for God's work in this world" (p. 51). Missions is reduced to simply helping the poor. There is no sense for the real true Gospel in this book. By placing so much emphasis on helping the poor, with that being the end goal of evangelism and missions, you have developed a works-based theology with no discussion of grace. The only aspect of God's character that is ever talked about is love; anger is covered, but really only in regard to the religious people (a barely covered jab at evangelicals).
To me, this book is a piece of liberal propaganda that panders to those who want a Christianity that conforms to the secular culture. It is a call to activism--but an activism that emphasizes works instead of grace, meeting practical needs instead of the true message of the Gospel. Many things in the book may sound good upon first reading them, but as you begin to ponder it, you begin to see the holes in their arguments, especially in light of what the entire Bible says. Could we all stand to take more seriously the words of Christ? Yes. But we enter dangerous territory when we pick and choose only portions of Scripture to take seriously, as these authors are apt to encourage.
This is not a book I can in good conscience recommend to anyone. It's light on theology and heavy on social justice with a few carefully chosen Scriptures thrown in for good measure. I think I'll stick with my Bible--the entire Bible--and a few more doctrinally sound authors.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson Publishing House through the Book Sneeze program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
There are some good points in the book. Both authors call the church out on handling finances--do we have a balance between what we use for ourselves and what we give away to take care of those in need (both within and without our church)? Both authors call us back to being good stewards of creation, a hearkening back to God's call to Adam in Genesis 1.
But overall, the book had far more troubling aspects than good ones. I found it to be pretty reductionist and incomplete. For example, evangelism has been reduced to "recruiting agents for God's work in this world" (p. 51). Missions is reduced to simply helping the poor. There is no sense for the real true Gospel in this book. By placing so much emphasis on helping the poor, with that being the end goal of evangelism and missions, you have developed a works-based theology with no discussion of grace. The only aspect of God's character that is ever talked about is love; anger is covered, but really only in regard to the religious people (a barely covered jab at evangelicals).
To me, this book is a piece of liberal propaganda that panders to those who want a Christianity that conforms to the secular culture. It is a call to activism--but an activism that emphasizes works instead of grace, meeting practical needs instead of the true message of the Gospel. Many things in the book may sound good upon first reading them, but as you begin to ponder it, you begin to see the holes in their arguments, especially in light of what the entire Bible says. Could we all stand to take more seriously the words of Christ? Yes. But we enter dangerous territory when we pick and choose only portions of Scripture to take seriously, as these authors are apt to encourage.
This is not a book I can in good conscience recommend to anyone. It's light on theology and heavy on social justice with a few carefully chosen Scriptures thrown in for good measure. I think I'll stick with my Bible--the entire Bible--and a few more doctrinally sound authors.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson Publishing House through the Book Sneeze program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
