What do you think?
Rate this book
Adventures in Missing the Point: How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel
If you’re brave enough to take an honest look at the issues facing the culture–controlled church–and the issues in your own life–read on. Do you ever look at how the Christian faith is being lived out in the new millennium and wonder if we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing? That we still haven’t quite “gotten it”? That we’ve missed the point regarding many important issues? It’s understandable if we’ve relied on what we’ve been told to believe or what’s widely accepted by the Christian community. But if we truly turned a constructive, critical eye toward our beliefs and vigorously questioned them and their origins, where would we find ourselves? Best-selling authors Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo invite you to do just that. Join them on an adventure–one that’s about uncovering and naming faulty conclusions, suppositions, and assumptions about the Christian faith. In Adventures in Missing the Point, the authors take turns addressing how we’ve missed the point on crucial topics such Salvation, The Bible, Being Postmodern, Worship, Homosexuality, Truth, and many more…
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
43 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
Brian D. McLaren
124 books551 followersBrian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 1, 2021
Everything about this book is misleading and sly, which isn't great--for starters, that "How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel" isn't part of the title. At all. I'm holding the physical paperback in my hands right now and it's not on the cover or either of the two title pages. It *is* in the small print on the copyright page, which is...something.
A friend of mine said that this is a book of one conservative being disappointed that the other conservative isn't conservative enough and that feels very true. The set-up of this book is utterly bizarre: take a HUGE topic, expound on it for a couple pages like a long tumblr rant, and then the other author responds about whether you got it "right." What? That's slapdash at best, but then the authors don't seem to care. It is, in many ways, the worst of white Christian male entitlement--my opinions are worth listening to because they're my opinions and therefore correct. (No, really; in the introduction, they write, "We're just two bald guys learning to love the Lord and the church and the world, and we're trying to figure out the point of being Christians." [12] Cool cool! Except then it says on page 14, "But shame on you if you use this book to critique others, to point the finger and say, 'See how they're missing the point!' If you do that, you're missing the point." I'm sorry, do you not want a conversation? Because disagreement isn't pointing the finger, it's furthering the dialogue. You don't get to pronounce things and have us just ponder silently.)
Now, let me set some things in context: fifteen years ago, this book would have been really helpful to me. As it stands, I might still recommend it for someone shifting from the far, far right into something...still on the right but less so. I am, however, currently a pastor in a mainline Protestant denomination and as such wouldn't give this to any of my parishioners at all because it's so self-satisfied and half-done that it theologically hurts. "Everyone is a theologian. Everybody has something to say about God." (33) Yes! Good! True! But "the danger...is when a personal theology ends up as a purely subjective way of thinking about God, isolated from the body of historical Christian theologies." (39) What? Who gets to police the "body of historical Christian theologies"? Because you know who's usually in that body? White men. Like you. So when you decide that you have something to say about the LGBTQ experience, or the Black experience, or the female experience, or the immigrant experience (all of which these two take on with zero guest voices from anyone actually living those experiences), that's somehow acceptable but someone else speaking in a new way about theology because that voice has never been welcome at the table before is dangerous? Yeah okay.
I wanted to like this, and parts of it, I did. The things McLaren says about the evils of nationalism and capitalism and creation care and worship styles are spot-on and Biblically supported; his suggestions for Bible study are things that I'll use in future teachings. But at every turn, the more conservative Campolo comes and tears down his arguments not with factual refutations but with "we haven't done it that way" shudders; "let's be honest enough to say that most of the entertainment that comes across to us these days can hardly be called art," he says in the section on "Culture" (137). Ok Boomer.
And the section on homosexuality? Don't even get me started. It's enough to say that both men have since changed their minds, I think.
So this could have been a good resource from the center to the right to talk about beginning points for the big discussions, and maybe it would have been if Campolo had been left off the ticket. But as it is, this is a trash fire of superficiality and ignorance that talks around people instead of with them and about God instead of ever actually engaging the Spirit. Skip it. There are better theological primers out there, I promise.
A friend of mine said that this is a book of one conservative being disappointed that the other conservative isn't conservative enough and that feels very true. The set-up of this book is utterly bizarre: take a HUGE topic, expound on it for a couple pages like a long tumblr rant, and then the other author responds about whether you got it "right." What? That's slapdash at best, but then the authors don't seem to care. It is, in many ways, the worst of white Christian male entitlement--my opinions are worth listening to because they're my opinions and therefore correct. (No, really; in the introduction, they write, "We're just two bald guys learning to love the Lord and the church and the world, and we're trying to figure out the point of being Christians." [12] Cool cool! Except then it says on page 14, "But shame on you if you use this book to critique others, to point the finger and say, 'See how they're missing the point!' If you do that, you're missing the point." I'm sorry, do you not want a conversation? Because disagreement isn't pointing the finger, it's furthering the dialogue. You don't get to pronounce things and have us just ponder silently.)
Now, let me set some things in context: fifteen years ago, this book would have been really helpful to me. As it stands, I might still recommend it for someone shifting from the far, far right into something...still on the right but less so. I am, however, currently a pastor in a mainline Protestant denomination and as such wouldn't give this to any of my parishioners at all because it's so self-satisfied and half-done that it theologically hurts. "Everyone is a theologian. Everybody has something to say about God." (33) Yes! Good! True! But "the danger...is when a personal theology ends up as a purely subjective way of thinking about God, isolated from the body of historical Christian theologies." (39) What? Who gets to police the "body of historical Christian theologies"? Because you know who's usually in that body? White men. Like you. So when you decide that you have something to say about the LGBTQ experience, or the Black experience, or the female experience, or the immigrant experience (all of which these two take on with zero guest voices from anyone actually living those experiences), that's somehow acceptable but someone else speaking in a new way about theology because that voice has never been welcome at the table before is dangerous? Yeah okay.
I wanted to like this, and parts of it, I did. The things McLaren says about the evils of nationalism and capitalism and creation care and worship styles are spot-on and Biblically supported; his suggestions for Bible study are things that I'll use in future teachings. But at every turn, the more conservative Campolo comes and tears down his arguments not with factual refutations but with "we haven't done it that way" shudders; "let's be honest enough to say that most of the entertainment that comes across to us these days can hardly be called art," he says in the section on "Culture" (137). Ok Boomer.
And the section on homosexuality? Don't even get me started. It's enough to say that both men have since changed their minds, I think.
So this could have been a good resource from the center to the right to talk about beginning points for the big discussions, and maybe it would have been if Campolo had been left off the ticket. But as it is, this is a trash fire of superficiality and ignorance that talks around people instead of with them and about God instead of ever actually engaging the Spirit. Skip it. There are better theological primers out there, I promise.
September 24, 2012
This book is biblically unsound in many different ways. The authors present a number of different subjects, and "rant" on their idea of how things ought to be. The book at first appears to be a great read as you begin the first few chapters, but it soon digresses into the ultra-liberal biblical doctrine which both authors seem to hold. It screams "Emergent-Church" movement as the authors attempt to persuade you to their point of view which is in most chapters to discard logical and biblical thinking and embrace post-modernism thought. They use very little scripture to back up their points in some cases.
There were a few chapters of the book which were challenging, which I appreciate, but for the most part this book is more of a rant of a couple "culture first, bible second" pastors.
There were a few chapters of the book which were challenging, which I appreciate, but for the most part this book is more of a rant of a couple "culture first, bible second" pastors.
November 16, 2017
This was an assigned text in college theology, and I pulled it out again.
The authors go through several topics fairly quickly. The conversational style is easy to read.
For some of these topics, you might be familiar with the author's viewpoint and the chapter won't add much. Others might be fine conversation starters or more.
Some chapters have aged better than others. It's amazing how far we've come on homosexuality since 2006, for instance.
The authors go through several topics fairly quickly. The conversational style is easy to read.
For some of these topics, you might be familiar with the author's viewpoint and the chapter won't add much. Others might be fine conversation starters or more.
Some chapters have aged better than others. It's amazing how far we've come on homosexuality since 2006, for instance.
September 29, 2009
I recommend this book to all of my Christian friends. It helps us reevaluate agendas and beliefs of the church to see if we have "missed the point" and how we can adjust our focus to what really matters in our relationship with God, our neighbors, and our culture. The chapters on doubt, theology, salvation, the end times, and homosexuality were especially eye opening for me. This book gives plenty to think upon and wrestle with if a believer wants to contemplate other angles in which they can view their faith. I highly recommend it.
"Doubt is like pain: it tells us that something nearby or within us is dangerous. It calls for attention and action. Doubt is not always a virtue, however. There is a dark doubt, an exaggerated and self-destructive doubt that leads to despair, depression, and spiritual self-sabotage. Imagination, for example, is good in itself, but out of control it becomes schizophrenia. Fear is healthy, but out of control fear becomes paranoia. Sensitivity is a wonderful gift, and anger is a necessary emotion-but either one out of control can lead to depression. Doubt is the same way. Out of control, it becomes unbelief, a hard heart, an arrogant or defeatist cynicism. But healthy doubt can serve as a Geiger counter that detects error. Without it, we'd be gullible, naive, and just plain stupid. Doubt is similar to guilt, which late Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer said was like a watchdog: useful to have around to alert you to danger. But if the watchdog turns and attacks the homeowner, it needs to be restrained and retained (220)."
"Doubt is like pain: it tells us that something nearby or within us is dangerous. It calls for attention and action. Doubt is not always a virtue, however. There is a dark doubt, an exaggerated and self-destructive doubt that leads to despair, depression, and spiritual self-sabotage. Imagination, for example, is good in itself, but out of control it becomes schizophrenia. Fear is healthy, but out of control fear becomes paranoia. Sensitivity is a wonderful gift, and anger is a necessary emotion-but either one out of control can lead to depression. Doubt is the same way. Out of control, it becomes unbelief, a hard heart, an arrogant or defeatist cynicism. But healthy doubt can serve as a Geiger counter that detects error. Without it, we'd be gullible, naive, and just plain stupid. Doubt is similar to guilt, which late Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer said was like a watchdog: useful to have around to alert you to danger. But if the watchdog turns and attacks the homeowner, it needs to be restrained and retained (220)."
February 27, 2011
Talk about a rush job! I don't think I've ever seen a published book with more typos -- not spellcheck typos, but missing words, incorrect word order and just plain weird stuff.
I don't think that the responsive format was as useful as it could be. Either an author agreed with the other and then wrote his own mini-chapter on the topic, or he disagreed and did not give very full support for his disagreement. More back and forth might have been more productive as well: give the original author a chance to speak to the rebuttal points if needed.
For those on the McLaren trail (e.g. me), this book was a disappointment. McLaren did not come up with any new material for this book that he hasn't been saying all along through the New Kind of Christian series and again more fully in A Generous Orthodoxy. I'm not really sure who the intended audience was, but no matter who the book is meant for, there are better books they could be reading.
I don't think that the responsive format was as useful as it could be. Either an author agreed with the other and then wrote his own mini-chapter on the topic, or he disagreed and did not give very full support for his disagreement. More back and forth might have been more productive as well: give the original author a chance to speak to the rebuttal points if needed.
For those on the McLaren trail (e.g. me), this book was a disappointment. McLaren did not come up with any new material for this book that he hasn't been saying all along through the New Kind of Christian series and again more fully in A Generous Orthodoxy. I'm not really sure who the intended audience was, but no matter who the book is meant for, there are better books they could be reading.
January 28, 2010
The chapter on sin, or more accurately how we should deal graciously toward others who are struggling with sin, was the best chapter of this book. The rest of the book had some very good points, but the chapters were filled with over-reactions, straw-men arguments and very biblically weak theology. I found this book to be dangerous, not for the points the authors try to make (many of them very good points), but for the way they try to make them. The foundation of their arguments was more philosophical than biblical and therefore dangerous to those who would tread it and assume that these are mostly Biblical arguments that are put forth.
February 19, 2015
a little outdated for where I am but still a good read. I found Tony Campolo a little too conservative for my liking
June 16, 2022
I am kind of disappointed in this book. I had held high hopes. A few of the points raised by the authors have caused me to take a closer look into some of my own beliefs, but many left me feeling as if THEY, the authors, had missed the forest for the trees. They dissect commonly held thoughts and beliefs held in the Christian community, but the theological gymnastics they needed to make some of their observations stick seem counter productive. There is a section about environmentalism which reads as if we have the ability to save our planet. While I will agree that all people have a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet, the Bible has taught that it will ultimately die and there is no-one to change that. In another section, that covers missing the point of the Truth, there is quite the discussion about apes. I found it bizarre, and I always red flag when anyone equates humanity with primates. That's always a head scratcher for me, especially when reading what is supposedly coming from a Christian perspective. Our Bible teaches that we, humans, were uniquely - not obliquely- created. In the end, there was not much to take away.
October 3, 2018
The authors have some valid points; however, I wouldn't highly recommend it because I found there was a lack of depth in the biblical side of answering questions, which I would have preferred. The authors did have good food for thought on many topics with some biblical guidance, but many of the topics were discussed almost superficially. A person seeking in-depth biblical answers would need to look further in other books. I can see points in the book used as a small group study, and with the right group of people, it could provide a better understanding of the personal relationship the Word of God offers us both individually and in community and points out a lot of religious crap most Christians accept as normal without exploring the heart of God's word.
May 12, 2024
It was interesting reading this 20+ years after it was written. For some topics I was impressed with how well they predicted the future of the church, and in other areas I wish they’d gone farther (though I can see how it was still groundbreaking for the time). I also liked how they divided the writing up. Each author took turns writing chapters, and whoever didn’t write a particular chapter got to have a response section to what the other person wrote at the end. They didn’t always agree with each other, and I appreciated that too.
These were the Christian leaders I was warned against 15 years ago. The “emerging” church movement that they talk about in this book was seen as dangerous. It makes me laugh to read it now…like this is what we were afraid of? Call me emergent, I guess.
These were the Christian leaders I was warned against 15 years ago. The “emerging” church movement that they talk about in this book was seen as dangerous. It makes me laugh to read it now…like this is what we were afraid of? Call me emergent, I guess.
October 20, 2018
Campolo and McLaren make extremely persuasive arguments why conservative evangelicals should be less conservative evangelicals. For those of us on the mainljne churches - especially Generation X or Millennial folks - this book has several cringeworthy moments, notably the discussions of homosexuality, the value of theological education, and questions of postmodernists and worship styles.
I commend both men for their theological growth and development, but they’re asking questions that people like me just am not asking.
I commend both men for their theological growth and development, but they’re asking questions that people like me just am not asking.
January 2, 2018
This was a fabulous book, however I will say the idea was executed more effectively than the content. Iif I had it my way all books that were written about any opinion that could be conceived as divisive should be written in a similar format with opposing perspectives respectfully contrasted with one another throughout the book. I can only hope that more books will be written in this vein, however to date I do not see many.
December 25, 2020
Meh.
Two pastors talk about various aspects of culture. Pretty good discussion questions.
Two pastors talk about various aspects of culture. Pretty good discussion questions.
January 1, 2021
This took me much too long to read. It had some interesting points, and it made me think, so I'd call that a win.
November 16, 2021
Book is 18 years old, and still relevant. (Bought it mostly because I liked the title 😂)
March 9, 2025
It was recommended to me by a pastor at Willow Creek: “ a wonderful and encouraging read”. Actually, it’s theologically awful.
Read
May 16, 2025I loved the contest between the two authors, and how it can help highlight what they hold on common. It is good to see that Christianity, the church Universal, transcends philosophy.
August 6, 2019
This book deals with shortcomings in today's church practice and structure. However, I believe it is less impactful than it could be, since both authors seem to accept much of common church practice as being "just-the-way-it-is", where others (e.g. Viola/Barna _Pagan Christianity_) have a deeper and more insightful critique. There are many useful topics considered in _Adventures . . ._ that are not considered elsewhere in books I have read so far in my study.
November 2, 2013
(forgive the stupid review...it's 6am, and I've been up all night)
This book didn't really give out any answers.
...and for once, I dont think that was the point of the book! (how refreshing!)
Rather, it broached on numerous topics Christians (and society at large) are facing, and offered up some new ways to view them, some questions to ask yourself, and a few tidbits to toss around in your mind.
Particularly interesting were the chapters on:
Salvation
Kingdom of God
The Bible
Evangelism
Homosexuality
& Doubt
I read a few comments from people saying that they thought the chapters were too short, or that they didn't really go in depth about the topics at hand. Personally, I think that's what made this book for me. They merely brought up a few topics, put out a few ideas on the topic, but then left you with those ideas to mull around and figure out what you believe for yourself. They provided a few different perspectives, but very few (if any) "absolutes", which I really appreciated.
As for the format...honestly, I thought it was a little goofy. At times, the other author would respond for, what felt like, merely the sake of responding, even when nothing much was added to the conversation. At other times, they would bring up the most obvious counter-points, to where it felt like they were missing the point of their own book- they weren't going in-depth about these topics, so it kind of amused me when one perspective wasn't really examined, and then during the response the other author would feel the need to come and point that out, and talk about how incredibly different it makes the entire argument.
Again- I think everyone reading this book is mostly aware that it seems to be more about starting a conversation with those around you, or even just your own self, rather than TEACHING, so it seemed a little silly to bring that up, imo.
This book didn't really give out any answers.
...and for once, I dont think that was the point of the book! (how refreshing!)
Rather, it broached on numerous topics Christians (and society at large) are facing, and offered up some new ways to view them, some questions to ask yourself, and a few tidbits to toss around in your mind.
Particularly interesting were the chapters on:
Salvation
Kingdom of God
The Bible
Evangelism
Homosexuality
& Doubt
I read a few comments from people saying that they thought the chapters were too short, or that they didn't really go in depth about the topics at hand. Personally, I think that's what made this book for me. They merely brought up a few topics, put out a few ideas on the topic, but then left you with those ideas to mull around and figure out what you believe for yourself. They provided a few different perspectives, but very few (if any) "absolutes", which I really appreciated.
As for the format...honestly, I thought it was a little goofy. At times, the other author would respond for, what felt like, merely the sake of responding, even when nothing much was added to the conversation. At other times, they would bring up the most obvious counter-points, to where it felt like they were missing the point of their own book- they weren't going in-depth about these topics, so it kind of amused me when one perspective wasn't really examined, and then during the response the other author would feel the need to come and point that out, and talk about how incredibly different it makes the entire argument.
Again- I think everyone reading this book is mostly aware that it seems to be more about starting a conversation with those around you, or even just your own self, rather than TEACHING, so it seemed a little silly to bring that up, imo.
January 3, 2013
This book was not quite as good as A Generous Orthodoxy, but it was a good, short read (I read it over Christmas while traveling). Co-author Tony Campolo is quite a bit more conservative than Brian McLaren and provides some very much-needed balance where McLaren tends to steer off a bit too much to the liberal side.
The thesis of the book is that most American Evangelicals are "missing the point" on most hot-button Christian issues by focusing on minor details and neglecting the big picture. The first section of the book is excellent, providing a strongly Emergent yet still very orthodox critique of the way Evangelicals approach the topics of theology, salvation, the Kingdom, end times, and the Bible. The Bible and salvation chapters are especially good.
Unfortunately, the quality declines through the remainder of the book. The "World" section is particularly bad. It is really just the author's opinions on Christian social issues, and many times the authors explicitly disagree with each other. It leaves me to wonder how exactly I am "missing the point" on these issues if the authors can't even agree on what "the point" is. The Sin chapter was also quite bad. The Postmodernism chapter at the end of the book finally got back on track and gave a very positive and non-threatening description of what postmodernism is and how it meshes with Christianity, showing that Christianity flourished in pre-modern times and that we should not be afraid of it dying in postmodern times.
Overall, a fairly good read but not the best Emergent book I've come across. I was very thankful for the book format that allowed the co-authors to respond to each other at the end of each chapter because Campolo revealed many instances where McLaren veers much too far to the left that I would have been likely to miss if McLaren was the only author. Read the section on God and the Being Postmodern chapter at the end, and skip the rest if you want.
The thesis of the book is that most American Evangelicals are "missing the point" on most hot-button Christian issues by focusing on minor details and neglecting the big picture. The first section of the book is excellent, providing a strongly Emergent yet still very orthodox critique of the way Evangelicals approach the topics of theology, salvation, the Kingdom, end times, and the Bible. The Bible and salvation chapters are especially good.
Unfortunately, the quality declines through the remainder of the book. The "World" section is particularly bad. It is really just the author's opinions on Christian social issues, and many times the authors explicitly disagree with each other. It leaves me to wonder how exactly I am "missing the point" on these issues if the authors can't even agree on what "the point" is. The Sin chapter was also quite bad. The Postmodernism chapter at the end of the book finally got back on track and gave a very positive and non-threatening description of what postmodernism is and how it meshes with Christianity, showing that Christianity flourished in pre-modern times and that we should not be afraid of it dying in postmodern times.
Overall, a fairly good read but not the best Emergent book I've come across. I was very thankful for the book format that allowed the co-authors to respond to each other at the end of each chapter because Campolo revealed many instances where McLaren veers much too far to the left that I would have been likely to miss if McLaren was the only author. Read the section on God and the Being Postmodern chapter at the end, and skip the rest if you want.
February 19, 2017
This is a hefty book dressed in casual clothes. Within each chapter there is much to be discussed, dissected and discovered. Still, the essence of this book, to me, was the opportunity to look at the practice of my faith with fresh eyes. A simultaneously liberating and terrifying opportunity.
May 8, 2011
I read McLaren's "A Generous Orthodoxy" not long ago and was glad I did, even if I found it to be too generous here and there. So when I found this book on a clearance table I thought I'd give it a try. The set-up has a lot of potential, as the authors take turns writing essays on various topics and then responding to and challenging the ideas of the other.
Occasionally there are some good insights from both authors, but there's also entirely too much personal opinion put forth as scriptural mandate. Even before asking whether or not many of these stances are biblical (little is offered that would persuade that they are), any informed person could pretty easily question the accuracy of the underlying assumptions that led to them. Campolo tosses several whoppers out there over the course of the book.
If you're looking to get stretched on these topics it's not likely going to happen here, but you'll learn a little about these authors if you're interested. A couple of the book's strengths are the transparent way in which they share about various personal experiences, and some of the points McLaren makes in his essay on truth.
McLaren in particular comes across as affectedly contrary, often for no good reason that I can discern. While I definitely agree with some of his criticisms of church culture, and I share some of his preferences, I wonder if he realizes that there are LOTS of people who simply do not like what he likes. I don't understand why people buy things at truck stop gift stores and then display them in their homes, and I don't understand (to save my life) why people buy Celine Dion albums. I personally can't believe people buy purple cars. But they do, and they want churches and music that speak to their tastes, not mine or Brian McLaren's.
Occasionally there are some good insights from both authors, but there's also entirely too much personal opinion put forth as scriptural mandate. Even before asking whether or not many of these stances are biblical (little is offered that would persuade that they are), any informed person could pretty easily question the accuracy of the underlying assumptions that led to them. Campolo tosses several whoppers out there over the course of the book.
If you're looking to get stretched on these topics it's not likely going to happen here, but you'll learn a little about these authors if you're interested. A couple of the book's strengths are the transparent way in which they share about various personal experiences, and some of the points McLaren makes in his essay on truth.
McLaren in particular comes across as affectedly contrary, often for no good reason that I can discern. While I definitely agree with some of his criticisms of church culture, and I share some of his preferences, I wonder if he realizes that there are LOTS of people who simply do not like what he likes. I don't understand why people buy things at truck stop gift stores and then display them in their homes, and I don't understand (to save my life) why people buy Celine Dion albums. I personally can't believe people buy purple cars. But they do, and they want churches and music that speak to their tastes, not mine or Brian McLaren's.
October 3, 2008
This was a book that I wanted to read for quite a while but never went out and purchased for myself. About 1 1/2 weeks ago, I was given this book as a gift and so I dived in and read. It was good, not as good as I had hoped (which made me glad that I wasn’t the one who bought it!). The format was rather simple. Two respected Christian leaders (no matter if you agree with them or not)…each wrote a number of chapters in the book and at the end of each chapter the other one gave a brief response to what was written. What was nice was that there wasn’t always agreement between the authors, but never a condemning, ‘you idiot’ attitude either.
They talked on such things as the environment, sin, gospel, salvation, social action, postmodernity, homosexuality, women as pastors, doubt, worship and the like. McLaren comes from a postmodern/emerging viewpoint on most issues, while Campolo comes from the ‘left edge’ of Christianity. What was truly a unique experience for me was that, while I have come to appreciate, love the writings of, and agree with a number of things that McLaren (and others) espouse, is that I found myself nodding in agreement at more points with Campolo than McLaren.
Even during the times I disagreed with either author I found myself thankful to be understanding where they and others are coming from on these important issues. Good book, not great but worth the read (if you get it as a gift!)
They talked on such things as the environment, sin, gospel, salvation, social action, postmodernity, homosexuality, women as pastors, doubt, worship and the like. McLaren comes from a postmodern/emerging viewpoint on most issues, while Campolo comes from the ‘left edge’ of Christianity. What was truly a unique experience for me was that, while I have come to appreciate, love the writings of, and agree with a number of things that McLaren (and others) espouse, is that I found myself nodding in agreement at more points with Campolo than McLaren.
Even during the times I disagreed with either author I found myself thankful to be understanding where they and others are coming from on these important issues. Good book, not great but worth the read (if you get it as a gift!)
September 23, 2023
Had I reviewed this when it was originally published I may have given it a higher score, although I had recently been present at a conference in Belfast where Campolo and Leslie Griffiths had engaged in a similar exercise, so there was little in this that was that earth-shattering even then. However the past 20 years and the subsequent trajectory of both writers have shown how tentative some of the positions here really were, and yet wider evangelicalism (which had probably already given up on both by this point any way) has steadfastly refused to engage with many of the issues raised. There are a few interesting quotes and turns of phrase and the chapters on worship and postmodernism are worth a deeper look: although the former ignores the corpus of worship outside of the "worship-leader"/"popstar" style of praise, including the contemporary hymnwriting of Leckebusch, Pratt, Haugen, Bell & Maule etc, and the latter probably doesn't go far enough... though it was written before the reactionary phenomenon of the last 10 years.
January 12, 2008
Pros: Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo addressing current issues that cripple the church with suggestions for alternative ways of belief and action.
Lots of topics. Easy to read, and one doesn't have to read it in a linear fashion because each chapter is basically self-contained.
Cons: It seemed like the authors were mostly talking past each other, or they didn't have enough room to adequately address each other's concerns. Point-counterpoint format is good, but I'd like to see it as a point-counterpoint-countercounterpoint discussion.
Lots of topics, but that was part of the problem. Not so much depth.
Still, I'd recommend it as a good introduction to the many ways of re-envisioning Protestant Evangelical Christianity.
Lots of topics. Easy to read, and one doesn't have to read it in a linear fashion because each chapter is basically self-contained.
Cons: It seemed like the authors were mostly talking past each other, or they didn't have enough room to adequately address each other's concerns. Point-counterpoint format is good, but I'd like to see it as a point-counterpoint-countercounterpoint discussion.
Lots of topics, but that was part of the problem. Not so much depth.
Still, I'd recommend it as a good introduction to the many ways of re-envisioning Protestant Evangelical Christianity.
February 24, 2008
I picked this book up after hearing Tony Campolo speak at a local function. Having read almost everything else he has published in the past 30 years I was thrilled to find something NEW that was not full of the same stories.
Campolo is a great story teller-even when recycled they can make you laugh, cry and think. This book was different in that he shares the stage with Brian McLaren. I really enjoyed the differing views offered by each and discovered somethings that I didn't know about Campolo.
This is the first book I read with Brian McLaren, but everytime I pass a book of his in the bookstore now, I pick it up...his space on my shelf is growing.
Campolo is a great story teller-even when recycled they can make you laugh, cry and think. This book was different in that he shares the stage with Brian McLaren. I really enjoyed the differing views offered by each and discovered somethings that I didn't know about Campolo.
This is the first book I read with Brian McLaren, but everytime I pass a book of his in the bookstore now, I pick it up...his space on my shelf is growing.
June 14, 2010
It was an interesting take on many "important issues" that the church faces today. Quite frankly, I think many of these so-called issues are over-blown and fed as a means of encouraging conflict within memberships rather than a means of speaking truth and gospel.
That said, there were some points where I agreed wholeheartedly, and others where I wondered if the AUTHORS had missed the point. All told, however, it was good to read about subjects that often make me angry, uncomfortable or even completely disgusted. Anyone raised in a strict "fundamentalist" edged church should read this, just for a different view on what they have heard their entire lives.
That said, there were some points where I agreed wholeheartedly, and others where I wondered if the AUTHORS had missed the point. All told, however, it was good to read about subjects that often make me angry, uncomfortable or even completely disgusted. Anyone raised in a strict "fundamentalist" edged church should read this, just for a different view on what they have heard their entire lives.
July 23, 2011
a worthwhile read . interesting in that one author essays a topic relevant to Christians and the other author gives a critique. sort of point-counterpoint. both authors I have respect for and both come from what I would assume to be somewhat different perspectives. interesting in that I found myself endorsing the point of view of one author and then agreeing with the counterpoint of the other. it left me feeling that so often I can entrench myself in one viewpoint without giving creedence to another. it brings balance I think to the tension that may exist between a modernist and post-modernist faith outlook.
December 16, 2007
I liked this book well enough, I suppose. Though they're both something of mavericks in modern evangelical Christianity, Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo do a relatively good job of balancing each other in this book. When McLaren abandons orthodoxy, Campolo pulls him back in. When Campolo gets lost in mysticism, McLaren calls him to a more practical faith.
Both authors know something is missing from the modern Church and do their best to help restore it. A bit too often they miss the point as well. I guess that's part of the point.
Both authors know something is missing from the modern Church and do their best to help restore it. A bit too often they miss the point as well. I guess that's part of the point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews