The Idolatry of God

November 12, 2012
To find God, one has to move beyond the notion of certainty, of God as product, of knowing itself, argues the writer of this often dizzying, deliberately challenging, and purposefully provocative screed about “a salvation that takes place within our knowing and dissatisfaction.” While admittedly that may not sound promising (or at least not very cheerful), this full-scale repurposing of Christian vocabulary and endorsement of theological mystery is often deeply rewarding. Putting his unique and evocative spin on venerable concepts like original sin and idolatry, Rollins (How (Not) to Speak of God) focuses on the crucifixion as “a constitutive experience for the Christian” in which the faithful can experience the divine absence and join the one whose humiliating death has put him outside of all normal ways of construing meaning. Some readers will probably find the writer’s philosophical and passionate dissection of some liturgical and theological conventions offensive (as in his assault on much contemporary worship music and his notion of God as potential idol). But maybe that is, at least in part, the point.

February 1, 2013

Rollins, founder of the faith group Ikon in Northern Ireland, has written a brief but deceptively complex book about breaking through the rigid conceptions of church, self, and tradition that keep us from a true and radical Christian faith; he invites us to "light fires" that will do away with the false idols of our lives. VERDICT Rollins's book should be welcomed by extra-ecclesial Christians, nondenominational churches, and free seekers.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2012
Rollins (Insurrection, 2011) puts forward a compelling case that both fundamentalists and unquestioning religious believers replace belief with idolatry. Using common cultural memes, including historic television shows like Miami Vice, Rollins strips away satisfaction from acceptance and leads the reader carefully and constructively toward a consideration of religious faith that is present-focused. As an experienced participant in theater as well as contemplative reflection, Rollins takes a personal rather than an academic approach. While some of the references to popular culture may feel dated, the points he draws from them are well founded. This is an excellent addition to popular collections and will serve as a good recommendation to book groups who are brave enough to venture beyond politics into that other socially ignored area of religion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)