By Tony Campolo & Brian D. McLaren Review by Tracy Simmons

When I initially saw this book I was captured by the first title, “Adventures in Missing the Point”. The past several years of my own spiritual journey had often made me feel as if I had missed the point. In fact, probably several points. When I picked up the book for a closer inspection the sub-title nearly knocked me off of my feet. “How the Culture Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel”.
My first thoughts were that it sounded edgy and controversial. Not bad for a starter. Then I realized that it also revealed (I hoped) that the authors had clearly done some serious thinking about apologetics, theology and traditions in the modern church. Only by having done so could they successfully pose a statement so filled with certainty and challenge.

The book is written in essay style with each of the authors (Brian D. McLaren and Tony Campolo) mostly taking turns at each chapter. The chapters tackle topics, most of which are near and dear to the heart of the modern church member in some form or fashion. Topics covered are diverse but somehow interconnected, if only by the fact that they relate to modern church life. Some examples are worship, Christian education, divorce, homosexuality and environmentalism to name a few. On the list as well are the foundational tenets of Christianity such as sin, salvation, baptism and others.

One of the things I most liked about the book is the inclusion of personal stories and experiences to help define the issues raised. They also help to point out ways in which the authors have failed to deliver the Gospel in a way they intended. Both McLaren and Campolo come to the table with years of ministry experience and numerous books under their belts. Each is well known at conferences on the emerging church culture. The aspect of this book that really makes it a different experience is that while one author tackles the corpus of the issue to be discussed by writing a several page essay or chapter, the other author then takes a few pages to offer additional thoughts. The post
chapter responses take the form of expanded thought on the theme, critique or occasionally outright disagreement.

While this might seem at first glance to be counterproductive, (after all, how can the reader learn what the writers mean if they are arguing with each other?), it is in truth a wonderful reflection of the conversation that is occurring all over the emerging church culture. Where the modernism of the last 100 years demanded quiet allegiance to the ideas of the church, the post-Christian era that is emerging (might even be emerged!) demands that everything be questioned. And not necessarily because everything has the potential to be wrong, but because only through questions, and sometimes disagreement, can the truth be properly framed.

This book does not do a great job of telling the reader what they should think. I thank the authors for that. It does a great job of compelling the reader to meditate on some huge issues not just for the church, but for the individual believer. I came away from this reading encouraged that the things God has been doing in me are happening elsewhere. And that there are other people wondering about some of the same things I am. At least if I’m crazy, I’m not alone.

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