Vintage Jesus

I mentioned that I hadn't yet looked into Mark Driscoll's ministry efforts in The Resurgence, but today I took some time to look over the information listed on the official website. What I found was both interesting and... well, interesting. Most of my attention was drawn to his book Vintage Jesus which he co-authored with his former professor, Gerry Breshears. After reading the promo for it, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy to gain a fuller picture of the book's message.

I'm equally curious as to the nature of the "hilarious theological journey." Now, before you deem me a hypocrite for some of the terms I've used (i.e. Judeo-sexual,and well, I've had a few for sure), I want it to be known that I'm not looking to cast stones. I've been away from the church for a long time, and there is much I have to learn concerning the contemporay views of faith being presented to both congregations and society, which means I am in no position to pass any judgements on anyone. Plus, there are quite a few things on Driscoll's pages that I agree with.

That said, I decided to include the synopsis for Vintage Jesus as it appears on its website. As you read it, think about your initial reaction?

Roughly two thousand years ago, Jesus was born in a dumpy, rural, hick town, not unlike those today where guys change their own oil, think pro wrestling is real, find women who chew tobacco sexy, and eat a lot of Hot Pockets with their uncle-daddy. Jesus' mom was a poor, unwed teenage girl who was often mocked for claiming she conceived via the Holy Spirit. Most people thought she concocted the crazy story to cover the fact she was knocking boots with some guy in the backseat of a car at the prom. Jesus was adopted by a simple carpenter named Joseph and spent the first thirty years of his life in obscurity, swinging a hammer with his dad.

In Vintage Jesus, one of America's most influential young pastors teams up with a seasoned theologian to lead you on a hilarious theological journey chasing Jesus through Scripture and pop culture. The authors provide timeless answers to twelve timely questions about the most important man who has ever lived. Each chapter concludes with answers to common questions about each subject.

Well, what was your reaction? As I went on to explore the rest of the information I went through the extensive list of significant endorsements, all of which were resounding in their praise. There was one though, that cracked me up...

"This book reveals Mark Driscoll as a highly powerful, colorful, down-to-earth catechist, targeting teens and twenty-somethings with the old, old story told in modern street-cred style. And professor Breshears ballasts a sometimes lurid but consistently vivid presentation of basic truth about the Lord Jesus Christ."

—J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College


I guess it just gave me the impression that Driscoll needed Breshears as a theological babysitter or something. As I said, I am anxious to read the book and will provide some commentary after doing so.