| 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.
|
Go here
for more reviews on Christian books, movies, music and
other products!
|
 |
| |
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.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Search for
thousands of Christian books, bibles, music,gifts,
video, software and more!
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
