Death by Love: Letters from the Cross, by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

Mark Driscoll is one of the most listened-to preachers in the U.S. today, if you believe the reports from iTunes.  Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Driscoll has become well-known for his terrific preaching, especially in reaching unchurched younger people, and his theological integrity.  With Death By Love: Letters from the Cross, Driscoll and his co-author Gerry Breshears cover some basic theology, presenting the "timeless truths of the cross in a timely manner that is biblically faithful, culturally relevant, and personally helpful."  I think they achieve all three.

Each of the twelve main chapters begins with a letter Driscoll wrote in response to a specific person's story or issue.  He reflects on their situation, offering pastoral guidance, and uses their story to springboard into a discussion of one facet of Jesus and his work on the cross.  As you might expect from Driscoll, he is very readable, but does not water down the theological questions he takes on.  You will be encouraged and perhaps challenged by his discussion. 

It's hard for me to categorize Driscoll theologically.  (As if I would even want to put someone in a theological pigeon hole.  And as if I could even to do so based on a couple of books.)  He seems to be solidly Reformed, yet with a bit of a charismatic.  I think he would embrace Calvinism, but with some caveats, such as his description of "unlimited limited atonement."  I do know this: he holds a high view of scripture, and high view of Jesus.  He is solidly evangelical, and while some evangelicals might quibble with a point or two, he's definitely worth engaging.