Is this really what Jesus said?

RED LETTER REVOLUTION: WHAT IF JESUS REALLY MEANT WHAT HE SAID?  By SHANE CLAIBORNE and TONY CAMPOLO

Thomas Nelson Publisher

This is a dialogue between the 2 authors on 26 different subjects ranging from ‘History’ to ‘Politics’ to ‘Resurrection’. Obviously with that many chapters and that many different subjects, nothing is covered very deeply.

As I was reading I could not help but think that this book would make good curriculum for Sunday School class or small group. With that said, it would have been nice to have some questions at the end of each chapter.

Though the book is an attempt to see what Jesus would have said and done on each subject. Those interpretations are open for debate. In some areas they would have done well to apply their own quote of Soren Kierkegaard when he said, “The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.”

For instance, it bothers me on the subject of homosexual marriage that they will not say that the physical act is sin. While we are to love all people, including homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators, pedophiles etc. we cannot approve of their actions.

In other areas the authors make some good points regarding community and the church taking care of not only of the poor and hurting but also of their own. They mention the fact that where God makes all things new in peoples lives, that means there are some professions and jobs people must get out of. When that is the case it is the churches responsibility to help meet the needs of that individual and his family.

If you are looking for something that will help you begin to think on a number of issues this might be a good place to start. However don’t expect more that a brief glance.