Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions

by Mark Driscoll

In his distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style, Pastor Driscoll addresses the nine most controversial questions posed by visitors to the Mars Hill Church Web site.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1433506165
• ISBN13: 9781433506161
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

EXCELLENT!

Well written. Straight to the point. Bold. Some of my favorite chapters were "Faith & Works, Dating, Birth Control, Emergent Church".

Good book

I'm not sure I agree with absolutely everything in the book, but I enjoyed it. Driscoll does make a lot of good points.

Each questions drew me closer to Jesus.

What a journey this book is! Pastor Mark Driscoll mixes wit with wisdom and brings 'religion' into the proper light. That would be Christian light as opposed to the Religion light. I just finished listening to Pastor Mark's Vintage Jesus podcasts when Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions showed up in book stores. Immediately I knew it would jump to the top of my TBR pile. The apostle Paul did not shy away from difficult questions. All you have to do is read 1 Corinthians and see his handling of difficult questions. Pastor Mark Driscoll follows in Paul's footsteps by approaching or should I say attacking religious issues with wit and spiritual wisdom. Using his church's Mars Hills website Driscoll polled visitors seeking the most controversial faith questions, and then culled 893 questions. Then he posted those and had visitors to the site vote on them. 343, 203 votes were cast and Religion Saves answers to the nine questions receiving the most votes. Now, I'm guessing any person could have conducted this sort of polling research, but I doubt many would tackle the most difficult questions in such an open forum. As usual Mark shows Jesus in everything he does. It is an amazing journey this book. I read it right after i listened to Driscoll's Vintage Church. For a while I had left the church because some of God's kids hurt my feelings (it actually felt more profound than that at the time) but bringing me back to who truly matters has been a life changing event for me. And by who truly matters I mean Jesus Christ.

Have Questions? This is the book for you!

My very first out of the box impression of Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions is the book reminds me of a elementary reading book I would have had in school. The hard back cover is textured and the cover graphics look like a book I read many years ago. When I opened the book I noticed he dedicated this book to all the people who listen to his sermons on the Internet. Wow that is me! I credit Mark Driscoll for getting my behind back into church. Even though we live on opposite ends of the United States, when my church was turned upside down a few years ago it was Mark Driscoll's sermons via the Internet that kept me plugged into God's word. Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions is taken from Mark Driscoll's sermon series "Religion Saves." Mark Driscoll conducted a survey where people could ask any question via the church's Web site and then have them vote on what questions they would like to see answered. Thousands of people voted and Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions is Mark Driscoll's response to those top nine questions. Three questions deal with sex and dating, two questions cover the emerging church, then there is one question about Calvinists and Armenians, one covers the differences between Protestants and Catholics, and lastly the difference between old school and new school Calvinists. I think you will find this book different than any of Mark Driscoll's other books. Sure you may find points you will disagree with and Discoll is outspoken and frank. That is a trait I love about his preaching and about this book. I was one of the listeners that followed his sermon series "Religion Saves" but reading it in print helped me understand the answers even better. He does not just answer the question; his answers are well thought out, well researched and based on biblical principals. The first question of the book tackles the subject of birth control and he gives a well thought out answer that spans 28 pages. This book may answer some questions you have always had but were to afraid to ask.

Review of Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll

I had a feeling I would like this book as soon as I pulled it out of its padded mailing envelope. Even the book's 'retro' looking cover suggested that there would be something different about this read. I looked forward to finally reading one of the increasingly popular pastor Mark Driscoll's works. Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions is by no means just another summary of current hot topics the church is wrestling with. Instead, Driscoll's book thoroughly and thoughtfully tackles nine subjects that his Seattle based congregation put forth for his review. Are these the nine most important topics that Christians should be addressing today? Perhaps no, but one could argue that neither were the topics that the Apostle Paul addressed in the aptly compared First Letter to the Corinthians. Of these nine subjects that Driscoll surveys some will likely continue to be tossed around in theological debate long into the church's future (Predestination - Question 7, Grace - Question 6, Faith and Works - Question 4). Other chapters address how we should go about forming biblically informed convictions and putting faith into practice (Birth Control - Question 9, Sexual Sin - Question 5, Dating - Question 3). Finally, Driscoll approaches subjects particularly relevant to the challenges of doing ministry today in our postmodern culture (Humor - Question 8, The Emerging Church - Question 2, The Regulative Principle - Question 1). Driscoll's writing style stays extremely conversational throughout the book without sacrificing contemplative depth. Almost every page is footnoted with references to Scripture as well as other helpful works on the subject. Some readers might be a bit put off by the author's bluntness in his presentation but Driscoll needs not apologize. Matters such as these require both thoughtful reflection and heartfelt conviction for their presentation, both of which shine through from cover to cover. While Religion Saves might be a bit more 'theological' then other popular works readers may used to, I found this work to be very approachable for most any pew (or stackable chair) sitter in our churches today. Grab a copy at your local Christian bookstore and enjoy. I doubt you'll be disappointed.