Adventures in Missing the Point: How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel by Brian D. McLaren, Tony Campolo Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Adventures in Missing the Point: How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel
Book Review: Very thought provoking!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to agree that the book is mistitled but is nevertheless a good read. Throughout the book, McLaren and Tony Campolo gave their opinions on issues, but never really explained how the point was being missed (maybe they missed the point? haha). I thought it was going to be a book that explained how we as Christians get so caught up in proving A point to people (especially to each other), that we forget THE point, and that is to draw people closer to Christ.
It was nothing like that. Campolo and McLaren did touch on that here and there, but mostly focused on presenting their ideas on how to live Christian lives and deal with issues in our present culture. Their ideas fall mostly on the moderate side of things, which I like. But if you are a fundamentalist, you will definitely disagree with at least most of it (although I would still recommend it to you because it should make you think, and I personally like books that make me think, whether I agree with them or not).
The language is easy to understand and interesting. I enjoyed the format, because McLaren and Campolo each write their thoughts on the issue, and occasionally they disagree. I like that you get two perspectives on issues, such as media. A couple times, I was thinking "yes, yes, I totally agree!" during the chapter. Then, at the end of the chapter where the other one responds, I would say, "oh. That's a good point, too. Hmm." It really made me think.
For me, a 23 year old who is still figuring out her belief system and is getting out of the conservative side into the moderate side, this book became a GREAT resource in figuring out what I believe and giving me good arguments as to why.
Book Review: Twin Sons of Different Mothers
Summary: 4 Stars
Brian McLaren and Tony Compolo share the same space in different generations as Christian ministers/writers. Both are iconoclastic, yet have a boundless love for God and a deep but qualified love for God's church. In this book they carry on a conversation-a series of essays followed by a response that help the reader understand their theological views, and at the same time hear the critique of those who might be of a different generation.
The authors break the discussion down into three general areas-God, World and Soul. Included as topics are issues such as salvation, theology, Kingdom of God, End Times, the Bible and particularly running thru many of them the role of culture in shaping our theology and practice. The essays are short and the give and take is enlightening.
I found this to be a stimulating read, and as I suspect the authors wished, I found myself wanting to read more of their work. Good book, highly recommend
Book Review: Listen and Think
Summary: 5 Stars
This excellent set of commentaries by two authors is thoughtful and very much makes one think. Instead of merely comforting you by affirming the wisdom of your Christian faith, the authors alternatively address certain issues and then comment and expand on the other's remarks. We used in a small group setting and the result was lively and helpful discussion.Book Review: A good primer
Summary: 5 Stars
These guys seemed to have to work at disagreeing. But they covered the topic the church finds herself wrestling with quite well. If you want an overview of how the gospel message speaks to a rapidly changing time, this is a good start. Also this books will introduce you to two truly compassionate, thoughtful men who take some of the tarnish off the gospel, put there by many of their bigotted norrow minded contemporaries. Read it with an open mind, for that is the point.Book Review: Challenging Discussion on the Chrisitan Life
Summary: 4 Stars
Mclaren and Compolo team up to provide insights and questions into a wide array of topics and their relation to Christians in today's culture.
Readers will soon realize that the title of the book is not really on target with the text. The book is not so much about "missing the point" and little if at all about a "culture controlled church" or a "neutered gospel."
The book is written as an open discussion by the authors on topics that are theological, relational and cultural. One author will write on the topic and the other author will write a response that more than a few times contrasts with some of the other author's ideas/opinions.
What I like most about the book is that both authors offer honest, transparent writing about their beliefs, struggles and experience with the Christian life. They admit in the introduction that they too "miss the point" at times in their lives and even in the book. This is a refreshing admission because by the nature of the book it can seem at times that they are pointing the finger at the church. Their writing inspired quite a bit of personal reflection and meditation on my part. A few of their ideas and Biblical interpretation I disagreed with; the way the book is written, it is okay to disagree and I didn't feel condemned or insulted---just challenged in a good way to discover and affirm my beliefs.
What I didn't like about the book are the general criticisms of the church. When the author(s) accuse the entire church (body of Christ) of something, it is too general of a blanket statement and therefore inaccurate. Some of the things didn't apply to any of the individual churches that I have belonged to, so it lessens the credibility of the message. I also dislike when Christians quote non-believers to accuse the church (again the whole church) for example, the author will write "I have a friend who is a doctor and an atheist because he says the church is ...." or "I have a friend who is a homosexual who says it would be easier to get sex on the street than a hug in a church (actual statement from the book." These statements are rarely, if ever, true of the entire church.
Both authors affirm the infallibility of scripture but also allow sentimentalism to cause them to try to excuse, justify or interpret away some of the seemingly harsh truths of the gospel. To their credit, they are trying to discover the path of Jesus--to live an honest, loving Christian life as Jesus would today.
Overall, the tone of the book is helpful, encouraging and challenging to believers. The authors admit they aren't right about everything, but they do ask the right questions and try to walk and lead in the right direction. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from for the writing, and I think they are both great witnesses for Christ.
I recommend this book to those searching for truth and who enjoy discussion about spiritual topics rather than an author who thinks his words are an extension of the gospel.
As for the "post-modernism" emphasis of the book, the last chapter addresses this term, but I still don't know what it is supposed to mean and don't think it matters.