Monday, July 13, 2009

Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions

Were it not for being contacted a few weeks ago about joining this blog tour it is highly probable I may have missed reading this latest publication from Mark Driscoll,

…and that my friends would have been a shame.

Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and 343,203 votes were cast. The top nine questions are now each addressed in a chapter of Religion Saves.

Some details:
Following an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material, written in Driscoll's distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.

Folks we live in a day when so many in and out of the church find themselves adrift and searching for doctrinally solid answers to questions like Pastor Mark addresses in Religion Saves. While these may not be your concerns, many of your friends, neighbors or family members are likely seeking a response – be they Jesus Followers or not.


Personally, I have ask some of these exact questions or I have been asked them by fellow sojourners. I admit to confusion at times over Emerging and Emergent churches (they sound so similar but are so very different). Pastor Driscoll does an excellent job in clarifying and separating the two.

Upon reading Religion Saves I was strengthened in my convictions and more confident at the prospect of engaging others in these 10 topics of conversation. I found sound biblical answers for myself and those I share my faith with. I found this book to be an easy read, yet will tell you, I purposefully took one chapter at a time, chewed it over a bit before continuing. I am grateful to have a resource I that espouses and directs me to so many biblical truths wrapped up in one compact publication.





Go here for the complete list of participants in the
'Blog tour for Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll'

Mark Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. He is president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and is the author of several books, including Vintage Jesus.
Pastor Mark preaches on Sunday, trains pastors, and writes curriculum. Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Grace, and they enjoy raising their three sons and two daughters.
More about Mark here!
You may read or Listen to an excerpt here

2 comments:

L.L. Barkat said...

Somehow when I saw that cover, I thought it was an old tract you'd pulled out, maybe in belated spring cleaning. Interesting design choice on the pub company's side!

Thanks for stopping by Seedlings. Always nice to hear your voice. :)

GratefulinGA said...

I agree LL, the wrapper is reminiscent of evangelist tracks of my youth and government tracks warning of the hazards of Drugs, Sex and Smoking. Graphics from this era have been the genus of recent works of pop art.

One things is for sure, this book cover is a far cry from the serenity of
'Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in the Hard and Hidden Places' ,
http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Crossings-Finding-Hidden-Places/dp/0830834958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247498666&sr=1-1

I really like that book too!