Richard Rohr

This book is an attempt to understand the concept of the Trinity in relational terms. It’s taken me several weeks to finish it, and it’s the kind of book that I could start rereading immediately, as I’m sure I’ve missed a great deal.

Much of the book, as its critics point out, refers to ‘flow’ and the ‘dance’ of the Trinity, existing from before the universe existed, in a perfect love relationship. These aren't new thoughts to me, but I was struck by the idea of continual show more flow in ongoing creation, and participating in the ‘divine dance’.

Traditional evangelicals will probably find much to criticise in this book. I admit I had moments myself of wondering whether some of it was heresy. However I like the style very much; the writing is persuasive, and encouraging, and most of it resonated strongly.

Overall I liked this book very much, and would recommend it to anyone interested in knowing more about the Trinity. show less

Richard can talk to me anytime he likes. Usually we meet in the early hours before my day picks up steam. When I say we meet, I mean I hold his book in one hand and a pencil in the other as I underline sentences or star particular paragraphs that he clearly wrote just for me.

The only sorrow of picking up a book by Rohr is knowing that it will end and I'll be left on my own until I find/order/borrow another. Of some comfort: his ideas are so fresh that I know I will be struck once more with show more the warmth of the Love of which he speaks. The perspective and understanding shared will make me blink and catch my breath as he invites me, yet again, into contemplation and the Unified Field where everything belongs.

Confession: I still have a spiritual crush on this writer and must admit that I hope I may be transformed into a mystic as his words and teachings soak into my soul. show less

Richard Rohr always remains a compelling author and witness.

In The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage (galley received as part of early review program), Rohr considers the prophets of Israel and the prophetic role for at least some today.

He very much is playing with words with “tears”: it can be read as the tears (which come from the eyes) of things, the crying, mourning, and lamenting which is deeply embedded within the prophetic tradition, but also as the tears show more (ripping) of things, since the prophets work to uncover and expose the secretive ways of how things work against most people to the benefit of a few.

He would explore Amos, Elijah, Jonah, John the Baptist, the Isaianic traditions, and Ezekiel in some depth. He also would speak regarding the remnant, the holy disorder the prophets provide and which paradoxically sustains the faith of believers, learning sympathy and grace from the prophets, and all to the goal of growing in love.

His portrayal of the prophets is often arresting and compelling, and even where one might disagree with him, one can at least see who he is, where he’s coming from, and what he’s about. I do not feel as comfortable as he does in seeing some prophets as “less developed” and others as “more developed” according to the standards he’s establishing, and generally warn against such kinds of presumption, for instance; but I can understand the logic he is using and why he would believe as much, even if I still think it a bit dangerous to stand in that position of judgment.

Rohr will always work to shake you from your complacency in interpretation and application, and he does it well here. Recommended for at least consideration in terms of the prophets and the prophetic tradition. show less

Wisdom wrapped around the reality of our most shared human experience: the unraveling of life, or what might be called failure.

Rohr's perspective on transformation found that place in me that recognizes truth when it shows up in words. Because of this I found his gentle arguments and observations simultaneously surprising and validating, refreshing and challenging, heartbreaking and affirming.

How do we move from the necessary ego-building and protecting of early life to a spacious trust in show more enough? What is the benefit of loss, failure, betrayal, grief? What does it mean to become an elder and live in the second journey (or second half) of life? These questions and more all find a safe and lively platform in Rohr's small, well-organized volume.

I own a copy and have read it through twice. Underlining and margin notes on almost every page attest to frequent resonance and occasional shock.

I'll be reading this book over again.

Highly recommend for small book groups. show less