| Book Review – Soul Brothers |
|
by Richard Rohr
art by Louis Glanzman
Published by Orbis
Review by Tom Gilbert
When people turn to the Bible for guidance most are looking
for words from God that they can apply to their particular circumstances.
Often the best lessons come from the lives of the people we read about
in scripture. Richard Rohr’s new book, Soul Brothers,
is a collection of his meditations and thoughts from
scripture that allow us to learn some important lessons. The writing was
inspired by the incredible
artwork of Louis Glanzman – portraits of a dozen different and prominent
men in the Bible.
Rohr, OFM (founder and spiritual leader of the Center
for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
has done much of his work in the area of masculine spirituality. This book is a fine addition as he reflects
on the lives of these twelve men who each have important lessons to teach us. Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah,
John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Timothy, John the Evangelist, Elijah, Joseph and Jesus – a wide spectrum of
manhood, yet each reflecting strengths, sometimes weaknesses, and a demonstrable expression of God’s divine
spirit in their lives and those around them. It is because of these very lessons that the book has important
things to say to men today.
Richard Rohr spent a month in a hermitage with the Glanzman portraits surrounding him as he wrote the
text. In the preface of the book he attests to the spiritual impact they had on him. The words flowed
out of him effortlessly. Those words, combined with the beauty and power of the paintings, have convinced
me that both are truly works of the Spirit.
Some of the insights the author shares are familiar themes
from his many books and tapes (we come to God not by
doing it right, but by doing it wrong; servant leadership;
holding the tension between opposites;
descent, not ascent; true self/false self; the two
halves of life). Rohr has a unique gift for showing how
often we tend to get things backwards, particularly in
church hierarchy.Humanity always has been a mass of contradiction – simultaneously
insecure and megalomaniacal. The author uses
his wonderful sense of humor which makes the medicine
go down better.
The Bible is unusual in its realistic portrayal of people. We see the human failings as well as accomplishments.
It also demonstrates how God works with and through these flaws to raise up strong role models. Taking
a leap of faith, doubt and all is the story of many.
How can you not love a stuttering and reluctant Moses who seems to get away with arguing with the great I
AM?
Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus builds his church, suffers from frequent bouts of “foot-in-mouth”,
but at least he’s forthright. He’s not about head trips, and he certainly is shown as fallible,
an odd thing considering the view of Peter successors in Rome.
Paul is the perfect example of one who wrestles with the seeming contradictions and finds the “both-and” answers
fulfilled in Jesus.
Timothy, the wonderfully humble and loyal student of Paul, had what Rohr calls the “beginner’s
mind”. Here, perchance, is the key to reading this book and meditating on the paintings. We can approach
each chapter with a readiness to receive God’s message instead of getting caught up in our own unworthiness.
This book is not a one time read. I also found I couldn’t read it all in one sitting. You’ll
read a passage, set it down, contemplate, return to the
Glanzman portrait, read some more and put it down again
while you absorb
some of the profound insights. It’s clearly a demonstration
of Rohr’s own journey and time spent with these important themes. His gift to us, if we are ready to
receive it, is to see ourselves in these men. The illustrations are beautiful – both the text and the accompanying
artwork will truly speak to men today.
|
| Also from Orbis Books: Soul
Sisters is
a similar earlier book featuring the art of Louis Glanzman
and the writing of Sister Wendy Beckett about women in
scripture. |
Go here for more reviews on Christian
books, movies, music and other products!
Visit our Featured Authors
section
|
 |
| |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
You'll
also receive Practical Biblical Solutions for life's
challenges with our free e-zine |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
"Travel"
along on our spiritual journey - visit our
Journal |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
We
have more than 120,000 Christian books,
bibles, music,gifts, video, software and
more!
It's easy to find what you're looking for
by using our BROWSE feature to search for
your favorite type of
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
