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Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions: Study Guide

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Mark Driscoll's engaging "Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions" is a bold answer for those who believe the Church should remain culturally relevant as it proclaims Truth. Driscoll and his co-author Dr. Gerry Breshears tackle many of today's common questions with intelligent answers through the Bible, historical evidence, and logical reasoning. Their work addresses issues such as "What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors?" and "Why Did Jesus' Mom Need to Be a Virgin?" through a witty and pertinent series of arguments.

While Driscoll shows his street savvy through his edgy analogies, he demonstrates his commitment to Truth with over 350 Scripture references. He also collaborated with his Bible professor, Dr. Breshears, who "shaped and formed" many of the book's concepts. As I delved further into this book I realized that Driscoll's apparent brashness is instead a boldness that comes from an intimate friendship with Jesus and an insatiable appetite for Truth. He passionately believes in and uncompromisingly defends Biblical doctrines.

While I couldn't find any glaring deficiencies in his theology, I was forced to explore my own beliefs on a number of issues. For example, I found that his chapter "How Human Was Jesus?" raised lots of questions regarding Jesus' perfection. Specifically, Breshears says of Hebrews 2:10 "...it's shocking to find that Jesus had to become perfect!" This entire section left me feeling more muddled and confused about Jesus' humanity, though the search for Truth is often an author's best goal.

One of the book's delightful surprises was the explanation of Jesus as The Priest, Jesus as The Prophet, and Jesus as King found in "Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?" The beautiful and poetic description of Jesus' "humble priestly service" gave me a fresh look at our Lord's compassion and mercy through His role as our mediator and priest. As I read through the chapter on this "tri-perspective", I cried tears of gratitude for all the Jesus accomplished when He came to Earth. And I was imminently grateful for Driscoll's Catholic childhood, for it lent credibility and warmth to his treatment of Jesus as our Priest.

This book belongs on the book shelf of any believer who wants culturally relevant and Scripturally sound answers to those tricky questions. Driscoll skillfully uses quotes from Marilyn Manson, Billy Graham, Larry King, C.S. Lewis, and H.G. Wells to entertain his readers while slowly and methodically revealing Truth.