How (Not) to Speak of God
Aug 1st, 2009 by Nathanael
I don’t review every book I read. I am not a book critic. I just enjoy reading.
But every once in a while, I find it necessary to comment on a book I finish. Sometimes it is because I thoroughly enjoyed it. And sometimes it is because it stretched me and made me think. Peter Rollins’ “How (Not) to Speak of God” did both.
First of all, Peter is a Christian philosopher. He is not an apologist for western Christianity. In fact, he has correctly spotted many flaws in our limited expression of our faith. And he has quite pointedly brought them to light.
Peter’s gift is taking something we’ve always believed, opening it up and revealing its core, and then forcing us to question why we believe it. The first part of the book is a deep, thought-provoking look into our preconceived notions and beliefs about God. And the second part of the book is examples of their Ikon services in Belfast, Ireland. Clearly, these Ikon services are not for everyone. And yet I found that each one spoke deeply into a part of my soul in a way that our Sunday services here in America just don’t. The Ikon group is not afraid to make everyone (even themselves) uncomfortable in order to get below the surfacey faith that is status quo for so many of us.
Do I agree with everything Peter writes in this book? Nope.
Do I appreciate his willingness to push the envelope and ask hard questions. Yep.
Will I read this book again. You bet.