Greg Boyd: Bipolar Book-Reviewing by Peter Lumpkins

I like Greg Boyd.  Please do not confuse that assessment with,

• I agree with Greg Boyd
• I follow Greg Boyd's theology
• I am highly influenced by Greg Boyd
• I believe like Greg Boyd
• ad infinitum

No, like means like.  He is a good writer, communicates well, and always has something worthwhile to say.  Well, almost always...

His recent post is a book review of the Oprah sensation, Eckhart Tolle, whom she singlehandedly made into a wealthy millionaire, no doubt (I wonder if I could get her to puff my book??).

Check out Boyd's review of Tolle and you'll see his razor sharp mind on display, slicing through the eastern religious slush Tolle is marketing.

On the other hand, for an example of Boyd's rusty, dull blade, check out his series of spoofs on The Patriot Bible, edited by Dr. Richard Lee and published by Thomas Nelson.  Especially revealing to Boyd's bias is his totally ridiculous comparison between The Patriot Bible and a Saturday Night live skit (//link). Dr. Lee, from my perspective, is to be commended for his worthy contribution in documenting our Judaic-Christian heritage with the production of this annotated Bible.

The irony is, I get the impression Boyd believes--though he did not come out and say this--Tolle's bankrupt mysticism is more healthy for believers than The Patriot Bible.  For me, Boyd's two book reviews reveals a kind of literary bipolarity about them, one razor sharp and helpful, the other couldn't cut through the proverbial hot-butter.

With that, I am...

Peter

Comments

[Darby Livingston]

I think Boyd's view of God is actually heretical, and I'm not one to throw that term around. I'm not convinced his view of God and the gospel can be reconciled. So I find it ironic that he even claims to be a Christian. Yet, I thought both the posts you referenced were consistent within his framework. He pointed out the idolatry in both.

Peter, do you think it's possible that patriotism can be idolatry? I'm thinking of the German Christians who by and large bought into national socialism hook line and sinker. They were the descendants of the reformation and wandered right down Hitler's road with "God on their side." Do you see it being possible for American Christians to do the same thing? This is an area I've personally struggled to form a biblically informed conviction of.

[peter]

Darby,

Thanks for your input. As for your question, I am sure of the possibility of patriots embracing idolatrous patriotism. The way I understand revelation and experience, we are quite capable of making most anything into an idol.

For me, I am very uncomfortable with aggressive nonpatriotism's--I would classify Boyd perhaps as a nonpatriot--envisioning a national idol behind simple (and perhaps often) acts of allegiance we offer toward our country. In other words, as you mentioned being reserved about flinging the term "heretical" around too loosely (me too!), I am also reserved about flingling idolatry around too loosely when refering to patriots.

In addition, I think we all struggle with certain aspects of the church/state question if for no other reason than we not only face it every day as believers, we also remain citizens of two Kingdoms. In itself, that makes for the proverbial 'juggling of apples'.

Thanks again, Darby.

With that, I am...
Peter