Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales

By Peter Rollins

Rollins has already established himself as a major voice and an astute, generative force within the emergence Christianity. The Orthodox Heretic is his most accessible and engaging work to date." - Phyllis Tickle

In this bold new book Peter Rollins presents a vision of faith that has little regard for the institutions of Christendom. His uncompromising critique of religion, while often unsettline, is infused with a deep and abiding love for what it means to genuinely follow Christ.

Pete Rollins writes with clarity and compelling conviction." - Frank Schaeffer


"I remember driving around Belfast with Pete, sitting in the front seat listening to him tell these parables that he'd written—thinking, ‘Everybody needs to hear these.' And now you can."
—Rob Bell, author of Jesus Wants to Save Christians

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paraclete Press
• Release date: Apr 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781557257307

Peter Rollins

Peter Rollins is a widely sought after writer, lecturer, storyteller, and public speaker. He is the founder of Ikon, a Belfast, Northern Ireland, faith group that has gained an international reputation for blending live music, visual imagery, soundscapes, theater, ritual, and reflection. He currently resides in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Reviews for Orthodox Heretic

[cail_judy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book in small chunks, as recommended by the author. The parables contain a small taste of a grand conversation - there is much to ponder and ruminate on. It's not a book to be read all the way through in one go.

Here are some quotes that resonated with me:

-"First, I used [the story] to express the idea that authentic faith is expressed, not in the mere acceptance of a belief system, but in a sacrificial, loving manner. Here I reject the inner/outer distinction in which one can fool oneself into thinking that private beliefs are somehow more important or reflective one's essence than public actions." (p. 8)

-"The law is abolished by love, and yet, in its being abolished it is also fulfilled. For once the law is swallowed up in love, the temptation that the law generates loses its power and becomes impotent. Thus Paul does not say, "Your behaviour is not permissible" but rather "Everything is permissible..." (1 Corinthians 6:12b). For, while the law enslaves, love sets people free to do what they desire, knowing that a person liberated by love will desire to live a life of love." (p. 136)

-"We can so easily miss the radical message that a life of simplicity is not contrary to the wealth of faith but is part of its very outworking. It is so easy to forget this and embrace the message of the world that the accumulation of success, worldly happiness, and possessions is a blessing to pursue. Thus, we give up the treasure we have for the poverty of affluence." (p. 154)

[vlodko62 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A collection of short stories/parables that bring the author's philosophy and theology to light. Peter Rollins' "radical theology" is not easy stuff, and I'm still absorbing this - my comments would not do any justice to it (except to expose my near-complete ignorance of theology). If you want to know what I'm talking around, I recommend you read this book, as well as "Insurrection."

[marthajeanne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The parables range from OK to very good. The commentaries afterwards were preachy. and the parables would have done their work a lot better without them.