The Stature of Waiting: The Pocket Library of Spiritual Wisdom

by W.H. Vanstone

We set great store by activity and busy-ness. We want to be 'in control'. We value what we 'do' more than who we are. So when we become ill, or retire from work, or suffer an enforced period of inactivity, our self-esteem is threatened. We evade, repudiate, or resent experiences of passivity, of waiting.

This classic of spiritual writing transforms our understanding of the experiences of illness, or of being out of work, or feeling inactive and powerless. W. H. Vanstone shows us the unquestioned and impressive majesty of Jesus as he 'waits' before those who accuse him, waits before those who taunt him and, finally, waits before even those who crucify him. It is in his passivity and 'passion', when we have things done to us instead of doing things, the times when we simply wait, are as important as the times of action and taking charge.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Living

168 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Emily Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really important book for our time as the Church can push people into finding their ‘vocation’ and purpose in what they ‘do’ or achieve, and most of the time, in a career. Vanstone urges the Church consider what it means to bear the image and glory of God in those whose times of waiting demonstrates dependence upon the world around them. Not being seen as any sign of weakness, but the deepest sense of dignity shared with Jesus in the passion, who at the time of being the subject of all that happened to him, rather than an active figure, shows in this passivity and possibility the glory of God. Vanstone can sometimes take his argument slightly too far and in my opinion, downplay the death and resurrection in favour of the time between the garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion. But on the whole, this is a really important message which we need to hear today which restores dignity and value to every human being.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deeply Thoughtful

In reviewing any book of theology, I consider the extent of its author's study of the Bible, of course, but also the extent of the study of other theologians, scholars, etc. Most books contain an appendix of numerous references. This was not that type of book. When one opinion and the studies of an individual serve as the main basis for a book, it must be seen as an extended essay which this book is (as, in reality every work of art reflects opinion) So, I must remember the author, whom though I may conclude is obviously a person of great faith and Biblical acumen, is speaking from his own mind and personal experiences.

The extended--and very drawn out--thesis is that mankind does not lose dignity when found in a position of passivity. In our work-ethic-worshiping capitalist society it is a "tendency to identify the unique dignity of man with his manifold capacity to work and achieve."

How the author began with Judas (and I have always wondered why Judas had to be Judas), compared shades of meaning of two original Latin Vulgate translations of the verb used by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to describe how Jesus was "handed over" to be tried connects and compared to the passive phases of human life was quite a progression of thought.

The book reaches its highest point in the Garden of Gethsemane and could have easily ended there. For everything after seemed of lesser portent. I loved reading this because it speaks to questions which have arisen in my own spirit. I could not in this space expound on all that I read and felt inspired by within these pages. I will probably read it again during Lenten season.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply intriguing read. It first examines the Passion narrative in Mark and John (down to the translations of Greek verbs), indicating how Christ being "handed over" to the authorities/to death has less to do with betrayal per se and more to do with the way in which Jesus, in love, submits himself to being the object, the recipient of action, rather than the subject or actor.

Vanstone then examines how much emphasis is placed in the current age on our doings, our busyness, our productivity, and what crisis of self we might suffer if we are prohibited (by health, by age, etc.) from being the subject/actor, and forced to be the recipients of action ourselves.

All of which is to say: we do not lose our dignity simply because we are in a situation of passivity.

(nb, this is an extremely hasty review and does not convey the full weight of this book. It might not be so novel in concept to others, but so much of it was a novel perspective to me.)

[Sam Cav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd always rate highly those books which bring me closer to an understanding - or a personal framing of - love, even if the language and the approach is a little outdated, as is the case here. It's fairly academic in tone and so will suit a certain mindset (more academic than I'd normally go for, but not prohibitively so), and would perhaps benefit from a little edit to remove some of the early faff. A re-wording of a lot of the privileged meanderings of the early chapters could probably remove 1/5th of the pages and the book would be all the better for it; Vanstone takes a while to get up to speed, you get the sense he's building his case very carefully.

But it still delivers the knockout in the final few chapters that I'd hoped it would. Vanstone brings some really important and beautifully argued points to the A.I. discussions we currently find ourselves within - discussions around meaning and activity, purpose and divinity. He also overlaps nicely with 'The Way of Zen' in his discussion of paradox and other-dimensional meaning, and I think it could be read as an accompanying book - though this book delivers far greater simplicity and clarity to the reader.

The sort of book that (like 'Sit, Walk, Stand') could probably be read once every ten years because though it is fairly short, it contains such a punch of a thesis that should be understood - and can be so easily forgotten - regularly.

[Pauline · Rating 1 out of 5]

No idea why this book is deemed a classic.
I got a degree in theology 33 years ago but this is incomprehensible. The author keeps using phrases such as ‘we have concluded that …’ or ‘we have suggested …’ but I’m blowed if I got the conclusion or understand the suggestion.
40 years on from its publication the language is annoyingly male dominated with all illustrations being about him/his and not she/hers. The word ‘man’ is used countless times and grates every time.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only took me 5+ years to read this borrowed book from my friend but better late than never. :') Great perspectives on how Jesus also demonstrates waiting and receiving from the world as an act of love (during passion), rather than always acting.

[Josh Marchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dignity of passion, suffering, and waiting is extolled both clearly and poetically. There is much to glean from this book.

[Leonard Delorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true hidden gem.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tightly argued antidote to the false dichotomy between being and action. We value action a great deal. For instance we have no difficulty breaking the Sabbath commandment but ardently hold to other commandments such as not murdering or stealing. At the same time, I have had a hard time accepting arguments for "being" over "doing." They seem to struggle on essentialism, not recognizing the actualism that humans are as humans do. What Vanstone does is show how "waiting" is an activity deeply rooted in God and God's relationship to the world. Then he connects that "waiting" to our experiences of passivity - getting overcome with love or wonder for instance. In a precise exegesis of the Gospels of Mark and John he convincingly argues that we have misunderstood why Jesus had to die. The focus of the passion begins at the handing over and continues from there. At a slim 115 pages this is definitely worth picking up. And, with no footnotes or academic chit chat, Vanstone should read for non-theologians quite well. Could be a good Lent read for disciples who want to go deeper in their walk with a God who was handed over for them.

[PeiJun Quek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book can be a bit draggy at some points but the beginning and end pack a punch, and I love the detailed and clear way that the author presents his case.
Vanstone makes a very interesting and counter-cultural argument that dignifies passivity of waiting. He first performs an exegesis of the Greek word παραδίδωμι to establish the neutrality of the word (rather than 'to betray' as often translated in the English bibles), then analyses how Jesus handed over himself. Thus the active God hands himself over to be the passive recipient of things done to him and this is the true meaning of 'passion' of Christ. Vanstone relates back to modern societal norm of needing to stay occupied and active and refutes the perception that passive waiting is undignified. Rather, it gives us the opportunity to partake in the activity of God and dimly perceive his glory.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit deep theologically (not all the Latin and Greek is translated!) but it helped me to understand why the Catholics make so much of the Passion of Christ. Must say that I didn't totally agree with the emphasis nor the conclusion but it was a thought-provoking read that offers hope in testing times.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated. Wish I'd read just the last chapter, which was useful.