Soul Brothers: Men in the Bible Speak to Men Today - Revised edition

The authentic foundation of all true religion is the rediscovery of the defaced image of God inside of the human person, inside of this world, in what will always feel like the naked and empty now. This is the ladder to heaven, and it is everywhere.” —Richard Rohr, from this book

“About twenty years ago, Fr. Richard Rohr wrote a little treasure especially (though not exclusively) for men. I’m thrilled that it is now available to a new generation of readers. . . . In the years since Soul Brothers was originally written, there has been an ugly resurgence of toxic masculinity—in the culture at large, but especially in many religious communities. . . . I’ve had the privilege of working more closely with Richard over recent years, as his health and strength have waned. Over these years, I’ve been a close witness to one of his sweetest qualities: he has never thought that his life was about him. Instead, he has always been focused on the larger work of God in this world, and he has seen himself as but one humble servant, doing what he can with what he has been given in that larger creative work of the Spirit. As you read his reflections on these soul brothers, I hope you will be caught up in that same deep insight . . . that your life is not about you: it’s about love, the divine love that fires the stars and inspires your breath. Your great privilege is to live your days as one human being dancing in love’s wild and holy rhythm.” —Brian D. McLaren, from the new foreword

Meet Abraham, a man caught in a matrix of violence who has the audacity and faith to challenge the very notion of divine violence. Meet Moses, known for leading people on an external journey through the wilderness, but who also models an inner journey toward wholeness. Meet David, who fulfills the classic archetypes of king, warrior, magician, and lover, but also specializes in love, as should we all. And beside them, you’ll meet Isaiah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Timothy, John, two Josephs, Elijah, and Jesus.

This classic work of Richard Rohr—in this new edition—shows how he uses biblical scholarship, reading the Bible psychologically, always looking for the inner dynamics of the developing character. The Bible is doing its intended work when it helps us live consciously and creatively, growing toward the light.

Soul Brothers also gives us a window into Richard Rohr’s theology. He is not primarily focused on being religiously correct or theologically fastidious. Rather, he shows how good theology leads us to be more fully human.