Besides the obvious (enrolling in the Introduction to Theology course starting March 12), this looks like a great book to start your cultural prolegomena. I have not read it yet, but have it ordered. What a great way to get to know the culture. What courage and patience this pastor must have to adventure intellectually and missionally in such a way.
You can read it with me. Purchase it here.
Here is a review (Source: Publisher’s Weekly):
“It could be the pilot script for a sitcom: a pastor hires an atheist to help him critique several Christian churches throughout the United States. For the authors, however, this experiment was no joke. Henderson, a veteran Protestant minister, truly believes that evangelism requires listening to the good, the bad and the ugly about Christianity in order to be a better minister. So he hired Casper, an atheist copywriter and musician, to serve as “fresh eyes” and observe how a variety of Christians engage the Divine through worship. Their travels took them to a mission-minded church, an Emergent church and to Joel Osteen’s megachurch, among others. In the book, Henderson peppers his partner with questions about each service, and Casper comments on everything from preaching to music to the geographical location of the churches. The take-home point, which is simultaneously simple, profound and of great importance to Christianity, is, “Why are there such glaring discrepancies among churches regarding what it means to be a follower of Christ?” The two authors include some banal dialogue at times, but this is a minor distraction. Anyone interested in contemporary evangelism, especially pastors, will enjoy and learn from this humorous and heartening travelogue. (Apr.)”
2 replies to "A great place to start your cultural prolegomena"
Michael, Michael!
You owe me big time 😉
Following your recommendation I purchased this book. I felt like I was reading the script of “Dumb and Dumber”. I know this is not an “irenic” comment but I’m chosing to be candid instead. In the book they select the wierdest that christianity has out there, build a big strawman and attacked it with gusto. GK Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw these guys are not. The arrogance that drips from this book is unbelievable…
I am doing something I have never done before with a book. I am throwing it in the trash, where it belongs 😉
Santos
Sorry bro…lol. I just got mine in the mail. Now I am not very excited about it. Thanks alot for tainting my view of it before I read it. 😉