Red Letter Revolution

What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?

By: Shane Claiborne, Tony Campolo

Narrated by: Stu Gray, Henry O. Arnold

Best-selling authors Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo talk candidly about the life and teaching of Jesus and the wisdom he offers our fractured world. It is time to re-imagine the world and the way we live - the old patterns of politics, economics, and religion that aren’t working. It’s time for a new kind of Christianity. In Red Letter Revolution, best-selling authors Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo take on the hardest issues facing our world. They show that Jesus’ example is relevant and revolutionary and call us back to a Christianity that looks like him again. In this ambitious project, they mine the words of Jesus - the “red letters” of Scripture - asking the simple question, “What if we lived out the stuff he said?”

From the power in Washington to the poverty in rural towns to the broken systems everywhere else, the world is looking for salvation. But this salvation is not just for peoples' souls - it’s for schools, governments, churches, and families.

Red Letter Revolution is about politics, but it’s fresh. It’s about theology, but it’s real. It’s about economics, but it’s interesting. It’s about Jesus, who longs to transform the world despite the embarrassing things his followers have done in his name. For conservatives and progressives, skeptics and believers, Red Letter Revolution undertakes the world-shaping mission to understand how Jesus’ words could change everything - if we’d only give them a chance.

©2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. (P)2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Fantastic Read

This is an important read for all Christians and all people of faith. The authors give a wonderful description of what true faith should look like. I would encourage all to read this fine book.

Thought Provoking

I enjoyed the easy flow if conversation between Tony and Shane. They didn't shy away from the topics that truly matter and ask us to consider if we are willing to be disciples of Christ, admirers, or do we just like to use the name Christian to justify our views...

We christians need this message

Although I do not agree on all the theological subjects discussed, I welcome the message of unity and love. Provoking and inspiring.

Spot on.....but

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, with caution about their practice of eisegesis.

What other book might you compare Red Letter Revolution to and why?

It is quite unique although it follows much of what the emerging church espouses.

Have you listened to any of Stu Gray and Chip Arnold ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no.

Any additional comments?

Claiborne and Campolo work well together. I personally believe their views of the church today and their response is where Christianity needs to move. With that said, it drove me nuts listening to them quote book, chapter and verse almost every minute to prove their point. The very thing they criticize of other Christians, they do themselves. Had they presented their ideas (based upon their understanding of the Scriptures) without the eisegesis, it might have made them more credible biblical scholars. So, if you can get past this, their ideas and practices are, in my opinion, spot-on for the Church today.

Over a decade old and more pertinent than ever

I read this book back when it first came out: 2011. Ten years has done nothing to diminish the message; if anything, it becomes more urgent for today.

The authors do an immense job of pointing out, without being preachy, how the Church has missed the mark of Jesus' teachings in many ways, and has therefore taken the core of the Gospel away from people. The book discusses not just where we have fallen down a bit, but offers real, "on the daily" advice about how we can redirect ourselves and our efforts towards being Christ's ambassadors in our world.

Though heavy and convicting at times, the book offers hope to all of us in language we can all understand.

This explained to me my Spiritual beliefs

As am not currently a church Christian, but live the words of Jesus. The words of Jesus in Mathew especially. Blessed are …
I asked a part-time pastor friend of mine what I was.
He said a Red Letter Christian. I have thought that exact thing but didn’t know it existed for others. I purchased this book.
Nothing has ever matched my beliefs better.
I really liked my interpretation of chapter 7. Do Christians Muslims and Jewish follow the same God? We all believe and act on the words of Jesus.
Other chapters on hating people. As the current pope said, it is not my job to judge. And Jesus said Love thy neighbor.
This book woke up my spiritual mind. I am looking for others like it and will listen to this again soon.

Good, not great

Is there anything you would change about this book?

If you have never heard of the Red Letter Christians, this book will be a great introduction to who they are. If you follow the Red Letter Christians and are familiar with their theology, this book hardly scratches the surface. Don't expect to go deeper. There are more profound blogs on their website than what was discussed in this book. Don't get me wrong, there were about three parts that I thought made excellent points; however, if you are already aware of who the Red Letter Christians are, there really are no surprises in this book and you won't learn anything new from it.

Has Red Letter Revolution turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. Good or bad, right or wrong, I love studying religion.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrators voices were pretty annoying but especially the guy doing Shane Claiborne's voice. It was so high pitched and whimsical. I think Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne should have read this book themselves, since it is their dialogue.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Two people talking back and forth for over 7 hours? No.