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Without Flesh: Why the Church Is Dying Even Though Jesus Is Still Alive
Church congregations all across the United States are searching for the magic bullet, the secret to attracting people, growing their membership and their cultural relevance. They are looking for the right program, or the right environment, or the right features to help bring people back into the pews. With all of this searching for the right answer, they're missing what's right in front of Word and Sacrament. The ancient church saw martyrdom as an honor. Today, we cower in corners, bickering over the color of the carpet. The ancient church conquered the world by dying at its hands. Today, we are crushed in an overwhelming retreat of trying to fit in. The first Christians were not searching for anything. They were convinced that they had found the answer. They had the powerful message of a Savior. They were fearless. Could the magic bullet, the secret, be that simple? In Without Flesh , author Jonathan Fisk encourages readers to focus on the unchanging Word of God, instead of searching for a new tool to bring people to church, and teaches them how to be fearless and confident in proclaiming the Word of God.
160 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 27, 2024
Some of the writing feels scattered. I thought this would be a book on trends in modern American churches (per the summary). But instead about 80% of the book is focused mostly on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, critiquing a merely symbolic view of the bread and wine. I agree with many things he has to say. But I found it odd that he didn't provide different definitions of a sacrament, didn't really talk about Baptism, and didn't talk about church practices more widely.
At this point in my theological explorations, I think instead I would find it more helpful to read a book that lists and explains all the different Christian points of view on the Eucharist, so I could better understand varying denominational beliefs.
I have also read and enjoyed Fisk's Broken: Seven Christian Rules That Every Christian Ought to Break as Often as Possible. I would be curious to read Fisk's Echo: Unbroken Truth Worth Repeating, Again.
Reminds me a little of Wolfmueller's Has American Christianity Failed?.
At this point in my theological explorations, I think instead I would find it more helpful to read a book that lists and explains all the different Christian points of view on the Eucharist, so I could better understand varying denominational beliefs.
I have also read and enjoyed Fisk's Broken: Seven Christian Rules That Every Christian Ought to Break as Often as Possible. I would be curious to read Fisk's Echo: Unbroken Truth Worth Repeating, Again.
Reminds me a little of Wolfmueller's Has American Christianity Failed?.
April 7, 2021
The book pairs very well with the EP Christ For You by the recording artist Flame, which has been playing in my house a lot lately. Both Rev. Fisk and Flame present Lutheran thought about the Sacrament of the Altar in a lively, engaging way.
Rev. Fisk has a mildly polemical style that is fun to read when you agree with him, but might be a bit needling if you're not 100% on board. For example, one might end up spending more time than the author intended quibbling with the suggestion that practices introduced in response to germ theory, gluten intolerance, and alcohol dependence flow from abandonment of the idea that "is" means "is." His point was about how it's easier to tinker with something when you don't believe what Jesus says about it is well-taken, but one hopes that every practice relating to the Scriptural administration of the Lord's Supper gets thoughtful, pastoral treatment in the context of an individual congregation. That's really the main idea - if pastors, elders, and laity are not thinking about these things as if putting Christ's words into practice the way He intended is the most important thing, they should be.
Rev. Fisk also liberally uses Greek words and phrases, such as κοινωνία, διδαχή, ετεροδοξία, and Εγώ είμι. This might frustrate a Greek novice and/or tempt an uncharitable person to characterize the author's style as rather pretentious. However, the use of the Biblical Greek is most useful and sort of necessary when discussing what Jesus actually said about the Eucharist and how his contemporary hearers understood Him.
Overall, Without Flesh was a great discussion of how the living body and blood of Christ is itself the very life of the church. I'd recommend it. Rev. Fisk takes readers on some creative, imaginative thought experiments in order encourage right and helpful thinking about Holy Communion and recognize and combat some of the ways Christians are tempted to abandon the marvelous, mysterious fullness of it all. He includes a slew of great quotes from great theologians, and the main result of this is that I am more interested than ever in reading The Lonely Way by Hermann Sasse.
Rev. Fisk has a mildly polemical style that is fun to read when you agree with him, but might be a bit needling if you're not 100% on board. For example, one might end up spending more time than the author intended quibbling with the suggestion that practices introduced in response to germ theory, gluten intolerance, and alcohol dependence flow from abandonment of the idea that "is" means "is." His point was about how it's easier to tinker with something when you don't believe what Jesus says about it is well-taken, but one hopes that every practice relating to the Scriptural administration of the Lord's Supper gets thoughtful, pastoral treatment in the context of an individual congregation. That's really the main idea - if pastors, elders, and laity are not thinking about these things as if putting Christ's words into practice the way He intended is the most important thing, they should be.
Rev. Fisk also liberally uses Greek words and phrases, such as κοινωνία, διδαχή, ετεροδοξία, and Εγώ είμι. This might frustrate a Greek novice and/or tempt an uncharitable person to characterize the author's style as rather pretentious. However, the use of the Biblical Greek is most useful and sort of necessary when discussing what Jesus actually said about the Eucharist and how his contemporary hearers understood Him.
Overall, Without Flesh was a great discussion of how the living body and blood of Christ is itself the very life of the church. I'd recommend it. Rev. Fisk takes readers on some creative, imaginative thought experiments in order encourage right and helpful thinking about Holy Communion and recognize and combat some of the ways Christians are tempted to abandon the marvelous, mysterious fullness of it all. He includes a slew of great quotes from great theologians, and the main result of this is that I am more interested than ever in reading The Lonely Way by Hermann Sasse.
February 21, 2020
It took me a day and a half to read this book. It was fantastic. I belong to an LCMS church that was busting at the seams in the '50s and 80s. We closed the day school after 100+ years due to low enrollment. Our average weekly attendance is now around 85 for three services. Rev. Fisk brings up very valid points. I think sometimes when the numbers don't reflect what we think they should, I don't think we are putting our trust and faith in Jesus. I think that all church leadership should read this, especially when we should be being "Disciples".
October 4, 2023
Okay, I am blown away by this concise and insightful work by Jonathan Fisk! To be sure, I have appreciated greatly all his previous books as I read them but this is by far my favorite!! It is as if Fisk has his finger on God's pulse beating with pure grace for His Church!! Fisk's insights are likely not novel (invented) but mined from the heretofore neglected gems of Sasse and Luther and presented anew as homing beacons for a lost and wandering church! This books deserves widespread attention and study within the Lutheran church and beyond! I give it my highest recommendation: please read it prayerfully!!
December 13, 2022
A book for those with the audacity to believe Jesus when He says, “This is My body.” Pastor Fisk’s apology for the Biblical doctrine of the Lord’s Supper is clean, concise, exegetically-sound, historically-supported, and presented in his typically creative, stream-of-consciousness style. His analogies are vivid and helpful. I would recommend this book to anybody desiring to know what Lutherans believe about the Sacrament, and why.
September 1, 2022
Magnificent. I will reread this every once in a while.
A caring and personal feeling exegetical look at “this is”.
A caring and personal feeling exegetical look at “this is”.
September 2, 2021
I typically struggle a little bit to finish Fisk's books, packed as they are with rich language and complex metaphors (it's like trying to eat all of a very sweet chocolate cake in one sitting). Whether by virtue of its length or an improvement in writing style, I had no such problem reading Without Flesh. While it purports to be chiefly about the church at large, I think its primary purpose for me will be as reflection and self examination before receiving the Supper. Excellent work and jam packed with theology for a quick read.
September 18, 2020
A very challenging read. As someone exploring different theological systems I found this book an interesting read. Biblical and causing me to reevaluate many things I have been taught and believed as a Christian that may not be as rooted in scripture as I first believed.
April 10, 2021
For the first time I have a full explanation of Holy Communion, of why we Lutherans and others believe and have faith that the words spoken by Jesus in the Bible regarding the Lord’s supper are true, and to be taken literally. The only reason I gave this a four star rating is because I feel I need to read it again to really grasp all that was expressed in this book. This book has also given me a desire to read and delve into the works of Sasse.
April 17, 2020
The Lord’s supper as the Lord says.
This is my body. This is my blood. Jesus’ words are trustworthy and can only be considered as symbolic if we let human reasoning stand as a judge.
Pastor Fisk elaborates, defends and explain Jesus’ words to the reader in an elegant manner. I especially enjoyed the part when he dug into the seven “I am” statements from the gospel of John.
This is my body. This is my blood. Jesus’ words are trustworthy and can only be considered as symbolic if we let human reasoning stand as a judge.
Pastor Fisk elaborates, defends and explain Jesus’ words to the reader in an elegant manner. I especially enjoyed the part when he dug into the seven “I am” statements from the gospel of John.
September 1, 2020
Awesome book! Pastor Fisk goes very deep, and yet he's very understandable. There's so much here that I will definitely read this book again and again to absorb it all.
Highly recommend for Lutherans specifically and Christians generally who want something to study and ponder that will both comfort and challenge them.
Highly recommend for Lutherans specifically and Christians generally who want something to study and ponder that will both comfort and challenge them.
August 18, 2021
I thought this book would be more geared toward a layperson. I guess not because this layperson had a lot of difficulty understanding. I did have a revelation or two in the concluding chapter so the time reading this book was not wanted.
February 5, 2022
If you want to have a better understanding of the Lutheran perspective on communion then you should read this book.
A combination of Hermann Sasse and Jonathan Fisk isn't a combo I knew I wanted, but this was great!
A combination of Hermann Sasse and Jonathan Fisk isn't a combo I knew I wanted, but this was great!
May 22, 2022
Takes the essence of Sasse's work on the Sacrament and expounds on it in his classic Fisk way. One of the best works Lutherans have on corporeal aspect of the Real Presence in the Sacrament and the implications of this reality.
July 18, 2023
This book as a lot of excellent material in it, but there are some style/presentation choices for some of the material that take it down from 5 stars for me. This is a taste issue, not a content issue.
April 8, 2020
Fantastic book. I could not put it down. Pastor Fisk does an excellent job at conveying the church's need and lifeline of the sacrament of the altar.
July 22, 2020
Pastor Fisk does it again! Mind blowing in places, and convicting in others. Also made me want to read something by Sasse.
August 26, 2020
Great book that discusses the importance of Holy Communion.
February 24, 2021
Absolutley brilliant
June 23, 2021
This is my new favorite book by Fisk. It will probably be best received by Lutherans, but anyone interested in the Lord's Supper should read it.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
July 17, 2022
Highly recommend. An important topic that is covered wonderfully.
February 22, 2023
Mysteries of the faith
I have been preaching on these truths for 13 years. People expect new and different but don't have the fundamentals we need to do emphasize fundamentals
I have been preaching on these truths for 13 years. People expect new and different but don't have the fundamentals we need to do emphasize fundamentals
April 24, 2023
One Fisk's most important works, amplified by the events of 2020. Do we believe what we say about the Real Presence, or not?
April 17, 2020
Great read
The author encourages you to delve in the purpose and meaning of the Eucharist and why we need to return to a biblical understanding of the Eucharist.
The author encourages you to delve in the purpose and meaning of the Eucharist and why we need to return to a biblical understanding of the Eucharist.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews