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Loving Jesus
The essence of spirituality is loving God, says Powell. The Bible, the Talmud, and the Qu'ran all direct their followers not merely to believe in God, to trust God, to obey God, and to serve God -- but to love God. Can we learn to love God?
In this biblical spirituality for today, Powell's earnest plea is for Christians to revisit their faith not by blazing in religious enthusiasm but by harboring a steadier flame and deeper commitment. Living at the poetic heart of faith, he argues, entails seeing the coordinates of religious life in a new way. Powell espouses the old-fashioned idea of piety. Drawing on his wide knowledge of the Bible and Christian tradition, as well as insights from his own journey, he shows how simple religious practices move us beyond the old certitudes of a naïve and youthful faith into the less certain but more bracing terrain of a second naïveté, a closer walk with Jesus.
In this biblical spirituality for today, Powell's earnest plea is for Christians to revisit their faith not by blazing in religious enthusiasm but by harboring a steadier flame and deeper commitment. Living at the poetic heart of faith, he argues, entails seeing the coordinates of religious life in a new way. Powell espouses the old-fashioned idea of piety. Drawing on his wide knowledge of the Bible and Christian tradition, as well as insights from his own journey, he shows how simple religious practices move us beyond the old certitudes of a naïve and youthful faith into the less certain but more bracing terrain of a second naïveté, a closer walk with Jesus.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 27, 2026
This was a Lenten read recommended to me by a pastor when I was looking to add something for Lent instead of give something up. Mark Allan Powell has such an easy, natural, informative tone, breaking down what it means to be a Christian, what the biggest sacrifice means, loving Jesus, and being loved by Jesus. I really enjoyed this book and would certainly read more of Powell’s religious texts. This was a book that I read slowly over Lent, which made me able to process and enjoy it that much more.
April 10, 2026
I purchased this book because it wasn't available at my library. It was published in 2004, but it is timeless and excellent. The author is Lutheran, but this is a book of universal truth. I specifically have wanted to know how to love Jesus Christ more. The author tells about a woman who asked him the same question. The whole book is an answer, but I really like his answer to the woman:
"Try this: confess your sins regularly to God, and give thanks always for your forgiveness. The simple devotional habit of doing this will become a constant reminder of God's grace, and, according to Jesus, the more aware you become of forgiveness, the more your love for God will grow. It's not just gratitude, though it is partly that. It is a relationship, and as with any relationship, true love flourishes as the parties come to know each other more intimately. Through regular confession of sin, we not only own up to who we are (a psychologically healthy exercise in its own right), but we also enter into the very heart of God, discovering that God is merciful and kind, that God is love. According to Jesus, this is what inspires us to love God much, and to love God more." Page 138
This goes along with the author's suggestions for how to pray. I've always been told to address Heavenly Father, give thanks, then ask, and end in the name of Jesus Christ. This author was taught the "ACTS" method of prayer. Emphasizing and beginning with adoration and confession is new to me. I have tried it with much better results than my former prayers. I like how the author describes the method on page 164 with a couple of his several examples:
"A-Adoration
C-Confession
T-Thanksgiving
S-Supplication"
" A- God, you are great,
C- And we are small;
T- We thank you for giving us this day,
S- And ask that you help us to make the best of it."
"A- God, you are powerful and merciful, a very present help in time of trouble.
C- Something terrible has happened now and we are frightened;
T- Thank you for being with us and understanding our fear.
S- Give us your comfort. Give us your strength. Give us wisdom to know what to do next."
The reason I love this is it more clearly establishes the relationship. We connect with Him by acknowledging His reality. We admit our own weakness and enter humility. Then we thank. Then we ask. Of course, the only way we can approach our Heavenly Father is because of Jesus Christ, so I believe it makes sense to close in His name.
I think I will read this book again in the future. I need practice with the concepts. I'm really glad I own it. It was exactly what I needed to read at this time. It took me a while to read, because I read it slowly and at the same time as other books.
"Try this: confess your sins regularly to God, and give thanks always for your forgiveness. The simple devotional habit of doing this will become a constant reminder of God's grace, and, according to Jesus, the more aware you become of forgiveness, the more your love for God will grow. It's not just gratitude, though it is partly that. It is a relationship, and as with any relationship, true love flourishes as the parties come to know each other more intimately. Through regular confession of sin, we not only own up to who we are (a psychologically healthy exercise in its own right), but we also enter into the very heart of God, discovering that God is merciful and kind, that God is love. According to Jesus, this is what inspires us to love God much, and to love God more." Page 138
This goes along with the author's suggestions for how to pray. I've always been told to address Heavenly Father, give thanks, then ask, and end in the name of Jesus Christ. This author was taught the "ACTS" method of prayer. Emphasizing and beginning with adoration and confession is new to me. I have tried it with much better results than my former prayers. I like how the author describes the method on page 164 with a couple of his several examples:
"A-Adoration
C-Confession
T-Thanksgiving
S-Supplication"
" A- God, you are great,
C- And we are small;
T- We thank you for giving us this day,
S- And ask that you help us to make the best of it."
"A- God, you are powerful and merciful, a very present help in time of trouble.
C- Something terrible has happened now and we are frightened;
T- Thank you for being with us and understanding our fear.
S- Give us your comfort. Give us your strength. Give us wisdom to know what to do next."
The reason I love this is it more clearly establishes the relationship. We connect with Him by acknowledging His reality. We admit our own weakness and enter humility. Then we thank. Then we ask. Of course, the only way we can approach our Heavenly Father is because of Jesus Christ, so I believe it makes sense to close in His name.
I think I will read this book again in the future. I need practice with the concepts. I'm really glad I own it. It was exactly what I needed to read at this time. It took me a while to read, because I read it slowly and at the same time as other books.
March 11, 2017
I enjoyed this book very much. I couldn't help comparing it to Richard Rohr's Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. Mark Allan Powell has done a much better job of describing my spiritual journey as a "First and Second Naïvetè" than Rohr did with his "First and Second Half" of life model. The focus of Rohr's book seems too much on the self, its "container" and "contents," and its trajectory, "Falling Upward." Powell's focus, as its title indicates, is on what it means to be "loving Jesus" through all phases of life. His is an approach to Christian "piety" that grows with maturity and understanding. His tone is humble, balanced, and welcoming, where Rohr often seems arrogant, judgmental and off-putting. Each chapter describes an aspect of Christian faith and spirituality that takes a deeper account of one's beliefs, faith and practice in the course of life without losing its passionate focus on the One with whom "all things are possible" and on whom all things depend. This is a very good guide book for renewing, and growing in one's faith by loving Jesus.
March 12, 2013
Mark Allan Powell is a self-proclaimed "Jesus Freak" and a New Testament scholar with a Phd who teaches New Testament studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
In this book, "Loving Jesus" he cuts to the heart of Christianity - Jesus and people's relationship to Jesus, both past and present.
According to Powell,(his biblical knowledge not withstanding) the whole point of being Christian is to love God, through Jesus.
He make an excecllent arguement, giving reasonable arguements as to how the church has often gone astray from this main point.
If I have made the book sound a bit stade or boring - my apologies for it is NOT at all. Powell has a wonderful ability to teach on a very engaging level in language available to almost everyone.
In this book, "Loving Jesus" he cuts to the heart of Christianity - Jesus and people's relationship to Jesus, both past and present.
According to Powell,(his biblical knowledge not withstanding) the whole point of being Christian is to love God, through Jesus.
He make an excecllent arguement, giving reasonable arguements as to how the church has often gone astray from this main point.
If I have made the book sound a bit stade or boring - my apologies for it is NOT at all. Powell has a wonderful ability to teach on a very engaging level in language available to almost everyone.
September 27, 2012
Great book with theological depth but yet a good read by a self proclaimed Jesus Freak of the 70's now professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
In the chapter "The Great Truth,", Powell says, "This what is true:
-We are loved by God.
-We are loved by the universe.
-We are loved by life, for God is its source.
-We are loved by love itself, for God is love.
When you love the world about you--your part of the universe--you are only responding to its love for you."
This is a book on relationship Christianity-a relationship between God and his creation- us. Since I am a relationship kind of person-it hit home with me.
In the chapter "The Great Truth,", Powell says, "This what is true:
-We are loved by God.
-We are loved by the universe.
-We are loved by life, for God is its source.
-We are loved by love itself, for God is love.
When you love the world about you--your part of the universe--you are only responding to its love for you."
This is a book on relationship Christianity-a relationship between God and his creation- us. Since I am a relationship kind of person-it hit home with me.
May 30, 2008
I'm not sure I've read anything that has changed the way I read the Bible more than this book (since seminary at least).
Mark Allan Powell is of my tribe (a Lutheran) which gave us a common language but in so many other ways he blew my mind open.
But the biggest difference this book has made is that instead of looking forward to dying and going to Heaven, I now live looking to the clouds in the "poetic" hope of seeing Jesus return.
Mark Allan Powell is of my tribe (a Lutheran) which gave us a common language but in so many other ways he blew my mind open.
But the biggest difference this book has made is that instead of looking forward to dying and going to Heaven, I now live looking to the clouds in the "poetic" hope of seeing Jesus return.
January 23, 2012
I like to read books that challenge my convictions; this book did that for me. I am not much of a pietist, but Dr Powell presents Loving Jesus in such a simple, yet convicting way. After all, Loving Jesus couldn't hurt! ;)
July 8, 2012
I love this book and appreciate this 60's Jesus Loving professor. There are several times reading this book that my highlighter was moving with great perspective and quote worthy phrases. This is a good read.
January 23, 2015
This is quite probably one of the best books I've ever read. It's remarkable in that it makes me see Christ in such a way that makes me overflow with love and gratefulness, but also answers some long standing questions I've had about scripture and how to live in a complicated world.
June 8, 2009
Reading for the second time, this time along with our congregation. My husband and I agree that it is one of the most insightful books we've read in the past several years.
December 26, 2012
Loved this.
March 2, 2013
I love Mark Allan Powell
May 1, 2015
Very good! Completed for 2015 Lent.
July 12, 2021
Thought provoking and faith affirming
I really enjoyed this book. It helped me focus on the broader message of the gospel , invoked new fresh perspectives. I recommend this to every Christian who questions if their faith is strong enough.
I really enjoyed this book. It helped me focus on the broader message of the gospel , invoked new fresh perspectives. I recommend this to every Christian who questions if their faith is strong enough.
September 20, 2014
Powell was once a member of the congregation that I belong to. He is coming to Virginia this fall to teach a course for my Synod's lay school. I picked up this in case I could attend his classes. I can't go, but I am very glad that I finally read this book.
Much of what Powell writes about is in other devotional literature. He speaks of what attracted him to Christianity, how it has changed his life and what he believes Christians should do to show their love of God. What I liked most about this book was that Powell put so much of himself in the writing. I feel like I now know Powell better and through him I know more about God.
I also liked the quotations that he found and used to clarify his text. There are quotes and prayers from Bonhoffer, Luther, St. Teresa of Avila and others that I had not read before. One of those quotes from Malcolm Muggeridge describes what I think Powell is trying to get across. This is my paraphrase of Muggeridge's quote: "The true purpose of our existence in this world is, quite simply, to look for God, and in looking to find (Her) and having found (Her), to love (Her)."
If you are a Christian, then I believe you may find this useful. Powell may remind you of why Loving Jesus is why we are on this earth.
Much of what Powell writes about is in other devotional literature. He speaks of what attracted him to Christianity, how it has changed his life and what he believes Christians should do to show their love of God. What I liked most about this book was that Powell put so much of himself in the writing. I feel like I now know Powell better and through him I know more about God.
I also liked the quotations that he found and used to clarify his text. There are quotes and prayers from Bonhoffer, Luther, St. Teresa of Avila and others that I had not read before. One of those quotes from Malcolm Muggeridge describes what I think Powell is trying to get across. This is my paraphrase of Muggeridge's quote: "The true purpose of our existence in this world is, quite simply, to look for God, and in looking to find (Her) and having found (Her), to love (Her)."
If you are a Christian, then I believe you may find this useful. Powell may remind you of why Loving Jesus is why we are on this earth.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews