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bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
I heard one of these parables used at Easter on Iona this year and although the name was mentioned I didn't quite catch it, so I was delighted when I came across the parable in this book without expecting it. The format is a short little story and then a short commentary and I found it best reading these a little at a time. Rollins explores familiar stories from different angles. Some of these could well be used as standalone parables but for others I was glad of the commentary to try and understand what the point of the story was. Definitely some gems in there.
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
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-rollins/
My full review is at http://bookwi.se/orthodox-heretic-rollins/
freddylam's review against another edition
5.0
Makes you think... an alternative devotional that should be read yearly.
nrt43's review against another edition
4.0
Here Rollins has 33 tales or parables that stretch you. I thought they were great, and I plan to buy the book to use the stories for further discussion and teaching (borrowed it from the library). No doubt he usually has an agenda with each little story. Some are home runs; others leave you wanting more. Sometimes the commentary is better than the story. Other times it feels like there's more to the story than Rollins even intends or realizes. Overall a really good book that I plan on returning to. Recommended. Pretty quick read.
nicolajoy's review against another edition
5.0
Rollins has done an excellent job of writing stories that challenge some familiar Christian ideas and bring to our attention alternative perspectives. I found it meaningful and moving.
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
4.0
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 endeavor to live in the way of Christ as best we can."
That caveat aside, the parables were thought-provoking and Rollins' view is an interesting way to look at Christianity.
That caveat aside, the parables were thought-provoking and Rollins' view is an interesting way to look at Christianity.
madisonboboltz's review against another edition
5.0
This book is PHENOMENAL! I found each of these parables deeply moving and challenging. Not only that, I think they are unforgettable to anyone who reads them. I truly feel inspired and changed by these. I think any Christian looking to read something different that will cause them to think and even be moved to action will really enjoy this book.
"Parables represent a mode of communicating that cannot be heard without being heeded, in which the only evidence of having "heard" its message is in the fleshly incarnation of that message. The parable is heard only when it changes one's social standing to the current reality, not one's mere reflection of it. The parable does not create more self-aware purveyors of irony--whereby one mocks the very behavior that one engages in, thus enjoying the activity in the very moment of disavowing it. Rather, the parable facilitates genuine change at the level of action itself. The message is thus hidden in the very words that express it, only to be found by the one who is wholly changed by it. In the words of one great Storyteller, the parable can be heard only by those with ears to hear."
"Parables represent a mode of communicating that cannot be heard without being heeded, in which the only evidence of having "heard" its message is in the fleshly incarnation of that message. The parable is heard only when it changes one's social standing to the current reality, not one's mere reflection of it. The parable does not create more self-aware purveyors of irony--whereby one mocks the very behavior that one engages in, thus enjoying the activity in the very moment of disavowing it. Rather, the parable facilitates genuine change at the level of action itself. The message is thus hidden in the very words that express it, only to be found by the one who is wholly changed by it. In the words of one great Storyteller, the parable can be heard only by those with ears to hear."
davehershey's review against another edition
5.0
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 few of the tales Peter Rollins tells in this creative, fun and thought provoking book. Some of the stories made me laugh, many made me think. He writes as from a position of comfort and prosperity and the book is targeted to other such Christians of similar station. The question perhaps at the root is can such people truly grasp the radical beauty of Jesus' gospel when we are so far removed from Jesus and so much more like those who rejected Jesus?
Some of the stories and comments may appear controversial or questionable, especially if we try to reduce them to a systematic theology. But I believe even if you disagree with what Rollins is saying, this work will make you think about the person and work of Jesus which can only be a good thing.
These are just a few of the tales Peter Rollins tells in this creative, fun and thought provoking book. Some of the stories made me laugh, many made me think. He writes as from a position of comfort and prosperity and the book is targeted to other such Christians of similar station. The question perhaps at the root is can such people truly grasp the radical beauty of Jesus' gospel when we are so far removed from Jesus and so much more like those who rejected Jesus?
Some of the stories and comments may appear controversial or questionable, especially if we try to reduce them to a systematic theology. But I believe even if you disagree with what Rollins is saying, this work will make you think about the person and work of Jesus which can only be a good thing.
dutchlee's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
My life is not the same after reading this book.
Peter Rollins does a phenomenal job in deconstruction a person's current beliefs and showing how shallow and wrong they are. In his parables he builds up a world the reader understands, a world the reader can relate to and agree with, even a world that the reader currently lives in. He then turns the world upside down and makes the reader question his own world. He shows how fallible we are and how much our Western, first-world thinking has affected our theology.
These tales have been parables to me. They are provoking me to reexamine my life and change it. And I can't help but allow them to transform me.
As a student who want to be a pastor, these parables have challenged me to teach in parables and stories. They are powerful teaching tools that will leave hearers untouched and deep in thought.
This is a great, challenging read for anyone wishing to be challenged and transformed. This book is not for the simple nor the readers who want a nice bed time story or a quick read.
This book will change your worldview.
My life is not the same after reading this book.
Peter Rollins does a phenomenal job in deconstruction a person's current beliefs and showing how shallow and wrong they are. In his parables he builds up a world the reader understands, a world the reader can relate to and agree with, even a world that the reader currently lives in. He then turns the world upside down and makes the reader question his own world. He shows how fallible we are and how much our Western, first-world thinking has affected our theology.
These tales have been parables to me. They are provoking me to reexamine my life and change it. And I can't help but allow them to transform me.
As a student who want to be a pastor, these parables have challenged me to teach in parables and stories. They are powerful teaching tools that will leave hearers untouched and deep in thought.
This is a great, challenging read for anyone wishing to be challenged and transformed. This book is not for the simple nor the readers who want a nice bed time story or a quick read.
This book will change your worldview.
jtisreading's review against another edition
5.0
As always Rollins made me think heavily and wonderfully about spirituality, religion, and the divine. IN these wonderful parabolic chapters there is so much to encounter and think about. I limited myself to reading only one a day, and it was such a wonderful part of each day to sit and read for 5 minutes then think about the ideas presented throughout the day and perhaps for many days.