What do you think?
Rate this book
The passion for life: A messianic lifestyle
Hardcover with dust jacket. Dust jacket is edge chipped and torn. Boards are edge worn and rubbed. Yellowed to leaves.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 16, 2024
A THEOLOGIAN WRITES AS A "MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION"
Jürgen Moltmann (born 1926) is a German Protestant theologian; his first (and most famous) book was Theology of Hope, but he has also written 'The experiment Hope,' 'The Gospel of Liberation,' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this book (originally published in German in 1977), "The chapters in this book arose out of the life of the congregation and are meant to serve the formation of a lively congregation... In them I would like to speak to members of the congregation not as a pastor or a theology professor but as a member of the congregation... Some of the chapters of this book were first given as lectures during a memorable trip through the United States ... in 1976."
He asserts in the first chapter that "if we want to learn to live today, we must consciously WILL life. We must learn to love life with such a passion that we no longer become accustomed to the powers of destruction. We must overcome our own apathy and be seized by the passion for life." (Pg. 22)
He urges that "We must again and again become deeply absorbed in the passion of Christ if we are to know that he suffers because of us, for he wants to suffer us. In the depths of his suffering we perceive the greatness of his passion for us. We are disarmed whenever we recognize the suffering of God which has borne and still bears his passion to us." (Pg. 31) He suggests that through our openness and our suffering "God becomes our master," and the form of our lives may be broken, so that "his form may come to expression." (Pg. 39)
He deals with the objection that by applying worldly-sounding titles to Jesus---King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Superstar!---this may justify world rulers in the political misery that they effect, by noting, "Who is it who has been called the prophet of God? Who but the derided Son of man from Nazareth... If he is the prophet of God, then there is an end to every pretentious prophetic posture!" (Pg. 54) Late in the book, he states, "The story of the searching love of God is essentially the story of God's 'thirst and desire' for his image on earth and, thus, the story of his suffering." (Pg. 92)
This book is useful as an accessible introduction to Moltmann, as well as an exposition of some areas he has not covered in detail elsewhere.
Jürgen Moltmann (born 1926) is a German Protestant theologian; his first (and most famous) book was Theology of Hope, but he has also written 'The experiment Hope,' 'The Gospel of Liberation,' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this book (originally published in German in 1977), "The chapters in this book arose out of the life of the congregation and are meant to serve the formation of a lively congregation... In them I would like to speak to members of the congregation not as a pastor or a theology professor but as a member of the congregation... Some of the chapters of this book were first given as lectures during a memorable trip through the United States ... in 1976."
He asserts in the first chapter that "if we want to learn to live today, we must consciously WILL life. We must learn to love life with such a passion that we no longer become accustomed to the powers of destruction. We must overcome our own apathy and be seized by the passion for life." (Pg. 22)
He urges that "We must again and again become deeply absorbed in the passion of Christ if we are to know that he suffers because of us, for he wants to suffer us. In the depths of his suffering we perceive the greatness of his passion for us. We are disarmed whenever we recognize the suffering of God which has borne and still bears his passion to us." (Pg. 31) He suggests that through our openness and our suffering "God becomes our master," and the form of our lives may be broken, so that "his form may come to expression." (Pg. 39)
He deals with the objection that by applying worldly-sounding titles to Jesus---King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Superstar!---this may justify world rulers in the political misery that they effect, by noting, "Who is it who has been called the prophet of God? Who but the derided Son of man from Nazareth... If he is the prophet of God, then there is an end to every pretentious prophetic posture!" (Pg. 54) Late in the book, he states, "The story of the searching love of God is essentially the story of God's 'thirst and desire' for his image on earth and, thus, the story of his suffering." (Pg. 92)
This book is useful as an accessible introduction to Moltmann, as well as an exposition of some areas he has not covered in detail elsewhere.
November 2, 2020
It has been recorded that Mahatma Gandhi, the charismatic leader of the nonviolent movement for Indian independence from England, was once asked, "What do you think about Western civilization?" His curt reply was, "Good idea." I share this because one can imagine theologian Jurgen Moltmann expressing a similar view on authentic Christianity. He might, in other words, wonder aloud: "Have we ever really encountered it?" Because the first section of this book alone distinguishes itself as one of the most cogent indictments of orthodox Christianity ever penned. Yet he's hardly a mere critic. Instead, from the rubble, Phoenix-like, Moltmann constructs a comprehensive, though occasionally dense, blueprint for how the beloved, flaccid religion might actualize itself. And his wide-ranging suggestions, anchored in Jesus' teaching, forces us to probe the nature of friendship, the significance of sharing feasts and even how to reanimate typically sterile, hierarchical congregations. As such, Mr. Moltmann reminds us, theology, when infused with the Spirit and unflagging zeal, is far from abstract and dry. Instead, it may make even parched deserts bloom.
June 10, 2016
I picked up this book because it had a chapter called 'The Feast of Freedom' and I'm currently focusing much of my reading around The Lord's Supper. It's the first time I'd read Moltmann since graduating from Nottingham in 1996; and that, if this book is anything to go, has been a mistake.
Published in 1978 as a result of a lecture tour in North America, this is a vibrant, compelling, dynamite book. Subtitled 'Invitation to a messianic life-style' it seems like a prophetic call for what we know as the missional church from one of the twentieth centuries heavyweight theologians.
I've no idea if Frost, Hirsch, Breen, Viola and the like have read Moltmann, but they should because here they get support from a big-hitter (does anyone know if they have?) Although Moltmann, it seems, is reacting against the stolidity of German denominational church life he still has much to say that hit homes today.
Calling for a community that embraces social action, releases lay leadership, builds upon genuine friendship and fellowship and uses the metaphor of feast and artist there is much here that resonates with anyone interested in 'missional church.' There are a few sections, such as his thinking on being 'of the people' that make you wonder where he's going but then 'boom' he hits you with a wonderful turn of phrase, that challenges, provokes and inspires you.
His section on friendship was wonderful and powerfully challenging (am I just friends with people like me or am I like Jesus who became friends with people like me who was in no way like Jesus!). The discussion on ecumenical relations under the cross gave pause for thought and something to annoy and encourage all sides. And his call for a congregation from below was way ahead of its time and at the same time a challenge to many new churches; have our paid staff sometimes become a priesthood?
I'd been in a reading slump for a month or so and this kicked me into gear and I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. If anyone can recommend a book where evangelicals engage with Moltmann's theology I'd be grateful for the tip.
Published in 1978 as a result of a lecture tour in North America, this is a vibrant, compelling, dynamite book. Subtitled 'Invitation to a messianic life-style' it seems like a prophetic call for what we know as the missional church from one of the twentieth centuries heavyweight theologians.
I've no idea if Frost, Hirsch, Breen, Viola and the like have read Moltmann, but they should because here they get support from a big-hitter (does anyone know if they have?) Although Moltmann, it seems, is reacting against the stolidity of German denominational church life he still has much to say that hit homes today.
Calling for a community that embraces social action, releases lay leadership, builds upon genuine friendship and fellowship and uses the metaphor of feast and artist there is much here that resonates with anyone interested in 'missional church.' There are a few sections, such as his thinking on being 'of the people' that make you wonder where he's going but then 'boom' he hits you with a wonderful turn of phrase, that challenges, provokes and inspires you.
His section on friendship was wonderful and powerfully challenging (am I just friends with people like me or am I like Jesus who became friends with people like me who was in no way like Jesus!). The discussion on ecumenical relations under the cross gave pause for thought and something to annoy and encourage all sides. And his call for a congregation from below was way ahead of its time and at the same time a challenge to many new churches; have our paid staff sometimes become a priesthood?
I'd been in a reading slump for a month or so and this kicked me into gear and I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. If anyone can recommend a book where evangelicals engage with Moltmann's theology I'd be grateful for the tip.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews