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Transfiguration and Transformation
"Fluidity in thinking about the divine and the
human is becoming widespread and influential in
amorphous Western culture which, on the one
hand denies or reduces the distinctiveness of the
divine while, on the other, elevates the dignity of
humans and even animals.
"The transfiguration of Christ shows how the divine
can penetrate the human without destroying it.
The transformation of the believer shows how
the human can become conformed to the divine
without its ceasing to be human. This is the
ultimate metamorphosis that is compatible with
Christian truth.'
human is becoming widespread and influential in
amorphous Western culture which, on the one
hand denies or reduces the distinctiveness of the
divine while, on the other, elevates the dignity of
humans and even animals.
"The transfiguration of Christ shows how the divine
can penetrate the human without destroying it.
The transformation of the believer shows how
the human can become conformed to the divine
without its ceasing to be human. This is the
ultimate metamorphosis that is compatible with
Christian truth.'
201 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 18, 2022
Summary: “Transfiguration,” referring to Christ and “transformation,” referring to the believer translate the same Greek word, metamorphosis. This work explores both why the difference and what the connection is.
Metamorphosis. This Greek word is used to describe both what happened to Jesus on the mountain with Peter, James, and John and what happens in the believer as the become increasingly like Christ. We say Jesus was “transfigured” while describing what happens to believers as “transformation.” In this compact but carefully argued book, Hywel R. Jones explains both the distinction and what the significance may be that the same word is used.
The first half of the book considers the transfiguration of Jesus. He looks at the setting, as a hinge point at the end of the Galilean ministry and the journey to the cross. He considers this both in terms of its historicity and as revelatory of the one fully God and fully human as the incarnate Son. Jesus’s divine nature is revealed in all its splendor without destroying his humanity. His careful exegesis looks at the significance of the kingdom in all three accounts and the successive scenes of the transfiguration, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the interruption of Peter and the Father’s word. Finally, this leads to its purpose–to prepare both Jesus and his disciples for his death, that his self-abasing death and the exaltation of God are one thing in this one human-divine person.
The second, and longer, part of the book discusses the believer’s transformation, inaugurated in our regeneration to new life through the Spirit of God and increased through our ongoing sanctification as we behold the glory of Christ, as our minds are renewed, and as we are recreated in the image of God. Finally, we experience transformation perfected in our glorification, where we become like Christ, purified of all sin and raised as Christ was raised in new, glorified bodies.
Hywel R. Jones summarizes the essence of the difference and connection of these two experiences of Christ, and of the believer as follows:
‘The transfiguration of Christ shows how the divine can penetrate the human without destroying it. The transformation of the believer shows how the human can become conformed to the divine without its ceasing to be human. This is the ultimate metamorphosis that is compatible with Christian truth.’
HYWEL R. JONES, P. XVI.
In Christ, his full divinity was revealed through his full humanity. For the believer, we are not nor will be divine, but are rather being formed into fully human but utterly accurate reflections of what God is like in Christ. Neither the divine nature of Jesus or the divine image of God in human beings diminishes the humanity of either.
Jones gives us a study that both reveals the glory of God in Christ and the glorious transforming work God in Christ Jesus has begun in us , is continuing, and will bring to perfect completion when we see Christ. Against scholarship that diminishes the glorious deity of Jesus to emphasize his humanity, Jones portrays the Son to be listened to, whose glory would be revealed in suffering. And for those of us who wonder if there is hope for us muddling sinners, he offers hope rooted in the work that began in our conversion, is continuing day by day as we keep looking at Christ, and will be gloriously completed. We see both the greatness of Christ, and in that greatness, the greatness of our destiny, all captured in that one word, metamorphosis.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Metamorphosis. This Greek word is used to describe both what happened to Jesus on the mountain with Peter, James, and John and what happens in the believer as the become increasingly like Christ. We say Jesus was “transfigured” while describing what happens to believers as “transformation.” In this compact but carefully argued book, Hywel R. Jones explains both the distinction and what the significance may be that the same word is used.
The first half of the book considers the transfiguration of Jesus. He looks at the setting, as a hinge point at the end of the Galilean ministry and the journey to the cross. He considers this both in terms of its historicity and as revelatory of the one fully God and fully human as the incarnate Son. Jesus’s divine nature is revealed in all its splendor without destroying his humanity. His careful exegesis looks at the significance of the kingdom in all three accounts and the successive scenes of the transfiguration, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the interruption of Peter and the Father’s word. Finally, this leads to its purpose–to prepare both Jesus and his disciples for his death, that his self-abasing death and the exaltation of God are one thing in this one human-divine person.
The second, and longer, part of the book discusses the believer’s transformation, inaugurated in our regeneration to new life through the Spirit of God and increased through our ongoing sanctification as we behold the glory of Christ, as our minds are renewed, and as we are recreated in the image of God. Finally, we experience transformation perfected in our glorification, where we become like Christ, purified of all sin and raised as Christ was raised in new, glorified bodies.
Hywel R. Jones summarizes the essence of the difference and connection of these two experiences of Christ, and of the believer as follows:
‘The transfiguration of Christ shows how the divine can penetrate the human without destroying it. The transformation of the believer shows how the human can become conformed to the divine without its ceasing to be human. This is the ultimate metamorphosis that is compatible with Christian truth.’
HYWEL R. JONES, P. XVI.
In Christ, his full divinity was revealed through his full humanity. For the believer, we are not nor will be divine, but are rather being formed into fully human but utterly accurate reflections of what God is like in Christ. Neither the divine nature of Jesus or the divine image of God in human beings diminishes the humanity of either.
Jones gives us a study that both reveals the glory of God in Christ and the glorious transforming work God in Christ Jesus has begun in us , is continuing, and will bring to perfect completion when we see Christ. Against scholarship that diminishes the glorious deity of Jesus to emphasize his humanity, Jones portrays the Son to be listened to, whose glory would be revealed in suffering. And for those of us who wonder if there is hope for us muddling sinners, he offers hope rooted in the work that began in our conversion, is continuing day by day as we keep looking at Christ, and will be gloriously completed. We see both the greatness of Christ, and in that greatness, the greatness of our destiny, all captured in that one word, metamorphosis.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
July 21, 2022
Linking the Transfiguration of Christ to our transformation as believers in Christ is intriguing to say the least. I’ll confess that I never thought of the connection before I came across this book. The connection isn’t fabricated as both spring from the same word in the New Testament.
In a Preface entitled “A Biblical ‘Metamorphosis’”, Jones takes the time to prove linguistic connection and explains why it might be a rich vein to mine. Then the book divides into two main parts taking the Transfiguration and our transformation in turn. At first, I thought his presentation of the Transfiguration began slowly. As I came to realize, he was laying a solid foundation. Perhaps some issues he addresses are not ones you’d ever be concerned with, but he seems determined to counter all criticisms and restore what should have always been a lofty status. As he proceeds, the discussion grows much richer.
When he switches to transformation, rather than addressing critical challenges he reorients to theological challenges. Again he builds his foundation slowly, but really builds on the framework of regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. Whether you’d agree with his theological viewpoint or not, it’s the discussion of individual passages that address transformation that renders the most aid to our contemplation of transformation.
This book addresses more scholarly concerns than I am used to seeing in a BOT volume, but it is an interesting study. I always appreciate someone who can open the Bible and show me something I have never put together before. That is what happens here.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
In a Preface entitled “A Biblical ‘Metamorphosis’”, Jones takes the time to prove linguistic connection and explains why it might be a rich vein to mine. Then the book divides into two main parts taking the Transfiguration and our transformation in turn. At first, I thought his presentation of the Transfiguration began slowly. As I came to realize, he was laying a solid foundation. Perhaps some issues he addresses are not ones you’d ever be concerned with, but he seems determined to counter all criticisms and restore what should have always been a lofty status. As he proceeds, the discussion grows much richer.
When he switches to transformation, rather than addressing critical challenges he reorients to theological challenges. Again he builds his foundation slowly, but really builds on the framework of regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. Whether you’d agree with his theological viewpoint or not, it’s the discussion of individual passages that address transformation that renders the most aid to our contemplation of transformation.
This book addresses more scholarly concerns than I am used to seeing in a BOT volume, but it is an interesting study. I always appreciate someone who can open the Bible and show me something I have never put together before. That is what happens here.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 4, 2025
One of my favorite seminary professors. I can hear Hywel Jones’ Welsh accent in my head as I read it! He brings out a lot of connections between the account of Jesus’ transfiguration and our sanctification I had not thought about before. Very devotional and edifying.
September 11, 2024
It's Hywel Jones. That's all you need to know.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews