I just finished my first book of my summer reading list. The first book of choice was “Vintage Jesus” by Mark Driscoll. Mark Driscoll is one of my favorite pastors to listen to online. Driscoll pastors Mars Hill Church in Seattle which is one of the most unchurched cities in America (8% Christian). This is my third Driscoll read and it has been the most different of the three books. Each book from “Confessions” to “Radical Reformission” to now “Vintage Jesus“ has been a great read. I personally enjoy just about any Driscoll sermon. Driscoll has an amazing gift of weaving strong biblical content and humor into an hour to hour and half sermon that never feels like it. So when it comes to Driscoll’s books the good news is he writes exactly like he speaks.
“Vintage Jesus” is a little different from his previous books and is actually based off a previous sermon series. In all honesty I think I enjoyed the live video of the sermon series a little more than the book. ”Vintage Jesus” provides a great blend of humor, historical information and biblical support in every chapter. In true Driscoll fashion the book is loaded tons of modern day applications and quotes and news stories from throughout all of history. The basis for the book is looking at Jesus. There is no complicating Jesus in this book rather coming back to the roots of the 33 years Jesus spent on earth. Driscoll looks at implications from the virgin birth to the concept of Jesus being fully God, to Jesus living a sinless life to the resurrection. Driscoll’s blend of current events and quotes from the likes of Oprah to Mark Twain to Hitler with hundreds of scripture references and issues of theology/doctrine discussed is a perfect mix which makes for a great read.
One of the strongest points of the book for me was the question and answer session at the end of each chapter. Dr. Gary Breshears helps answer questions from the “fairness of God sending Hitler and my non-christian roommate both to hell” to Jesus being the only way to Heaven. Driscoll also does a decent job of explaining different doctrinal issues and questions in the Catholic Church, Mormon Church, Christian Scientists and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Along the way Driscoll challenges the theology of popular emerging preachers Rob Bell and Brian Mclaren. Each chapter is also the answer to a loaded question such as “Why did Jesus’ mom have to be a virgin” and “What will Jesus do upon his return?”
Overall ”Vintage Jesus” is a great read. I would highly recommend watching a couple of Driscoll’s video sermons for free before you buy any book of his. Driscoll is edgy, somewhat sarcastic and a pretty hardcore Calvinist. He definitely only fits in two categories of preference “love or hate.” If you love his preaching you will love this book.
