When the World Breaks: The Surprising Hope and Subversive Promises in the Teachings of Jesus

by Jason Adam Miller

In this groundbreaking book, Pastor Jason Adam Miller re-examines the Beatitudes—eight paradoxes found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—and points to a whole new way to find hope in the midst of suffering. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that the world is broken. The world we thought we knew vanished, and so many of us are now struggling to make sense of a world that’s not what we thought it was. 

This book is about what happens when the fundamental picture we had relied on – our sense of how everything holds together - falls apart. For some, this moment comes when a global pandemic upends our security. For others, it’s a partner leaving, or a terrible diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. Many of us have felt our worlds breaking when long-held beliefs about God or faith slipped through our hands. Whether the details are global or personal, the experience is the you discover that the framing reality you were living in has fractured.

But here’s the good The world has been breaking for as long as we can remember. We've been here before, which means we can turn to ancient, perennial wisdom to help us sort through these urgent problems. In When the World Breaks , Jason Adam Miller explores the possibilities for hope hidden in the paradoxes Jesus spoke when he taught the eight blessings – often called the Beatitudes - recorded in the beginning of Matthew chapter 5. These strange blessings name our experiences of suffering and are built on a particular kind of hope. This book is a meditation on those teachings as a transformative way forward when we suffer. 

Lyrically written, theologically rich, and supremely accessible, When the World Breaks reveals an unexpected way to look at these familiar verses, giving readers hope that God is with them in their suffering, and helping them become the kind of people who can put things back together. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Christian Living, Health, Spirituality

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Dave Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher and the whole time I was reading it, at least initially, I must confess I was debating as to whether or not I wanted to complete the review. It was a difficult read for me at times, because the author made conclusions that, at times, I found somewhat disagreeable. My hesitance to review was because there were some areas where our points of view on "political issues" were almost polar, and I hesitate to go into political issues online, for fear of being vilified, and distracting from the good I am trying to do in the world. 

Let me state for the record, I am glad I read this book. In some ways is is very strong and in other ways, it was confounding to me. At times, I felt like the author put his politics to the forefront and early-on I found it distracting me from his points. As an example, Miller states when speaking of how there is no future without all of us, allowing for good boundaries and stating it is okay to protest and protect ourselves, he goes on to say, "but it does mean that as long as we believe 'those people are the problem' rather than remembering that we share in common a problem that those people are acting out right now, we'll likely keep breaking the world." I am totally on board with this quote, but I struggle with the implications in places throughout the book where the author seemed to call out his "those people" and at least insinuates that they are the problem. 

The upside of this is it makes me want to check my own writing for things that will needlessly distract people from hearing my message, because while there was frustration for me, there are things in this book that are quite good, especially as we live in a world that is broken and dare I say, divided. Directing us to the beatitudes as a source of strength and hope in a troubled, broken world is really quite good and his exploration of those beatitudes, where Jesus calls out the blessings that come from difficult situations is both comforting and challenging. In the midst of my struggles with some to the author's conclusions, it did continually have me checking myself to see where I might be adding to the breakage I see in our world and, as such, this is a valuable read. Miller uses some really good stories of his real world experiences that help to illustrate his points.  Overall this is a well written book with some good things to offer this broken world. 

The book, to me, improves as it goes along and his chapters on the last three beatitudes are, for the most part spot on and I found myself resonating with the author often, particularly in this quote. "As long as we're still waging war, it doesn't matter what side of things we're on. We're still trying to put things together with the very same tools and energies that broke the world in the first place. But when we consent to our own transformation, we become an entirely different kind of threat. It's not the warriors but the wounded healers who disrupt the evil and create new futures. If you find yourself somewhat right of center, you will likely disagree with some of this author's conclusions, but what if we relearned the skills of having meaningful discussions with those with whom we disagree, rather than entering into our own kind of cancel culture. This book is challenging and worth reading. If you lean to the right, you  may have to put on your "big boy/girl pants" to get through parts, but there are things to be gained here.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the World Breaks opens with powerful and inspiring narration, revealing so many ‘broken’ things in the world, globally and personally, such as the pandemic, etc. (I don’t carry the same stance on some of the issues presented by the author and was still inspired by this book.) The book isn’t just about bad things that happen, but also where these moments propel us. I love how the following quotes from the book illuminate a much-needed hope:

There are hidden possibilities lurking in these moments...
These possibilities are expressed in the subversive promises Jesus spoke when he taught the eight blessings—often called the Beatitudes…

And perhaps one of the most powerful quotes (to me) from the book is within a Hasidic tale, where a student asks the rabbi why he always uses the phrase “on your heart”:

“Only God can put the teachings in your heart. Here, we recite and learn to put them on the heart hoping that someday when your heart breaks, they will fall IN.”

This is the kind of inspiring and stirring wisdom you can expect from this book. It softens the hard edges of wearisome times, pain, fear, and brokenness with a healing salve of hope.

First Line: The world is breaking.
Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth
Author: Jason Adam Miller
Page Count: 240

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miller shares his thoughts on the beatitudes in the context of his own experiences and the experiences of others. This book is not a theological investigation of the beatitudes. It is Miller's personal journey through them based on his own experience.

Miller does not see the beatitudes as descriptive of what good Christians should be like. Rather, he sees them as paradoxes. We will never solves them but they do offer us a way forward. Jesus, Miller says, assumes a world fundamentally different from the world we live in. One paradox is experiencing God in the emptiness and void that results from our world breaking apart. Miller likens it to a mystical experience. The blessings promised in the beatitudes are not material but that we have access to the life of God in us.

Miller does include some investigation into the original language and historical meaning. Mostly this book contains stories and Miller's personal reflections. His main thesis seems to be that the blessing is found in the experiencing. For example, in Matt. 5:6, what we crave is actually felt in the hunger and in the thirst. In the hunger one finds the experience of God. Being hungry and thirsty for righteousness is the blessing.

Miller gives us an entirely different way to look at the beatitudes. This is a book for people who like reading stories, such as Miller's experiences. It will help us find God in the pain and emptiness we experience. I think this book would be best read within a trusted group as it deals with feelings that need to be processed more than teaching that needs to be intellectually assimilated.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a big fan of this book. To be honest, I can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t like it. I feel like I didn’t take anything away from it and there weren’t any “ah ha” moments. There were just a lot of stories that did not put the spotlight on the scripture, in this case the beatitudes. I feel like there are other books on the beatitudes that are better. (I will start looking for those books and update this review when I find them.)

UPDATE: As soon as I posted this review I did a simple Google search for “books about the beatitudes” and I can’t believe that I didn’t think about some of these books before this. Here is a short list of great books about the sermon on the mount/beatitudes:

“The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The Beatitudes” by Charles Spurgeon
“The Applause of Heaven” by Max Lucado
“The Secret of Happiness” by Billy Graham
“The Only Way to Happiness” John F. MacArthor

I am open to any suggestions you may have on other books about the beatitudes!

[Diana Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book i was looking for in 2015 when everything in and around me broke. Good News! It finally exists.

A timely tune that reads like a melody for the most impossible days with a chorus of surprising hope.
Couldn’t put it down. Will keep picking it back up.

Truly beautiful books leave a mark on you. This one has marked me and i’m not just talking about how it lulled me into my first ever forehead papercut;) When the World Breaks invites you into a deeper relationship with Reality.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In When the World Breaks, Jason Adam Miller has written a guide in helping readers to rediscover hope and that all is not lost in the world. The world around is hurting and breaking. We are still recovering from the side effects of a global pandemic and the politics are out of control. We are dealing with racial injustice, climate change, sickness, divorce, religion falling away. He shared a personal story of witnessing the violence in the Middle East. He heard of stories of families shot and killed. He went to Gaza and saw that every playground has a bomb shelter. They have 15 seconds to make it underground before the rockets will land. He saw a video of children being tear gassed. All of this led him to feeling hopeless and at the end of his faith. He passed by a church that contained engraved words and blessings on the steps. There were known as the Beatitudes. He felt an urgency to study them. In the book he explored all eight of the blessings referred to as the Beatitudes which are found in Matthew chapter 5. These included blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, meek, people who strive for righteousness, merciful, peacemakers, just to name a few.




One of my favorite chapters discussed mourning and how it can turn into praise. He shared a story about one of his friends named, Alex. They met in college and they were roommates with some other guys. One day, he saw his friends discover his calling and passion for life. He wanted to join a nonprofit that helped children who were exploited to become soldiers in Joseph Kony’s war in Central Africa. He travelled the world and helped others and found happiness. He eventually got married to Beth and they were expecting their first son. A few months went by and he received a phone call telling him that Alex committed suicide. He explained the grief he felt and heartache. He revealed how he was a part of his memory at the ocean and how he found healing. He compared it to finding the glory and praise in the pain.


I would recommend this overwhelming book about the Beatitudes and the blessings that we can experience in scriptures. This book provided a new fresh look at the passages and they were very eye opening. We can learn a lot about Jesus and His teachings and the hope we can still reply on today. I really liked how open he was in his own struggled with clinical depression and even went into a psychiatric ward. He was dealing with childhood trauma and feeling despair. He also shared how he was able to connect more with God. I really connected with the Everyone an Icon story about Jenny and the Snotty Lady. Readers will really get a taste of how noteworthy it is to see the Divine in other people. This will be life changing if readers will begin to see God in others.




"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like its author. It meets people where they are, and though it talks about Jesus, it imagines that Jesus is big enough to encompass any language you might prefer for your own life. At its simplest, this book says that there's something in the world better than the best thing that's ever happened to you, and bigger than the worst thing that's ever been done. This book says there's are ways we can realize that goodness and justice here, in the Real World. This book says that people have done it before, and we can again.

This book is not pushy. Miller insists on asking questions of himself and the world rather than providing answers. He places a huge amount of trust in his readers, believing that they will do the work of applying these questions to the specifics of their own lives. He does this to an almost frustrating degree. At times, I wished for the certainty of a clear path or a solution. This book is not a simple recipe, it’s not a cleverly-marketed, well veiled path back toward old, trite norms, or a book that uses Jesus to relieve narrative tension. Instead, the book lays out ways we could respond, without the promise that all will go right, and then asks “which life would you like to live?"

Maybe the most important part of this book is that Miller respects people who choose another way or who choose a way he doesn’t fully understand. He admits, at times, to being one of those people himself. When he says "Everyone an Icon", he lives that in this book by humanizing just about every choice discussed.

For a short book, it’s not a quick read. There are parts that will have you wondering about your life and whether you might need to change the way you show up. It is written with this spirit in mind, that whenever you pick it up is the right time to be reading it — not when you still have memory for earlier plot points, not when you want to be swept along by a story that always makes sense. The athor is kind in remembering that these situations don't just come up when we're neatly ensconced in a comfortable chair with tea and good light.

I’m sure that there are ways this book could be better, maybe more tailored to your specific style, but I don’t think it could be any more true. Miller is trying to live a good life, God’s life, and he has put a part of that life on a page. He shares it here honestly and well.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When The World Breaks” is an enlightening publication authored by the esteemed Jason Adam Miller. With a notable background as the founder and lead pastor of South Bend City Church, Mr. Miller is a staunch advocate for artists and peacemakers. His extensive theological expertise, as evidenced by his master’s degree from the esteemed University of Notre Dame, further enhances the depth and significance of his work. This literary gem is a must-read for those seeking spiritual and personal growth.

The author intends to convey the message that our world is inherently flawed and has deviated from our initial perceptions. Nonetheless, there lies a glimmer of hope within the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the profound wisdom contained in the Beatitudes.

The publication is structured into eleven individual chapters, each of which corresponds to a specific point of discussion. Jesus resided in a milieu that was replete with intricacies, not dissimilar to the complexities of the contemporary world in which we currently find ourselves.

I highly commend the book “When The World Breaks” with a stellar 5-star rating. This exceptional piece of literature is recommended to individuals seeking profound insights into Christian living and spiritual growth.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher. This in no way affects my review. All thoughts are my own.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly prescient book that speaks honestly to the soul when the world breaks. I came to this book overwhelmed and seeking what God has to say about the suffering in the world and what I came away with is a deep and profound meditation on the meaning of the Beatitudes and what Jesus' words means.

Jason Adam Miller is a truth-teller, and through his experience of the Beatitudes, he reveals the hope we have in the teachings and example of Jesus.

To paraphrase Jason's words: When the world breaks, it feels all consuming, but hope begins as the relationship we have with reality grows us into the people we are becoming.

And to use Jason's words directly: "The world will continue to break, and it will continue to break us. It may even destroy us. The point isn't that things are going to be fine. The point is that there's something that happens on the other side of everything falling apart."

"There's a way of preaching the story of Jesus that says that Jesus died so we don't have to. ... This story is saying that Jesus died to show us how to, and that after we're done dying, there will be another chapter in the story."

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is no secret to many of us that the world is broken. When the World Breaks by Jason Adam Miller discusses our broken world in relation to the Beatitudes.

Emily Freeman wrote the introduction to this book, which is one reason that I was drawn to As the World Breaks, as I enjoy her books. However, I struggled to get into this book.I do think it is a good book, but sometimes, I don't think books come to us at the right timing for us. This book is quite readable and easy to understand and relate to. Miller includes a lot of his own stories to make his points and they are interesting. At the same time, I think I just was hoping for something a bit more upbeat. This isn't that sort of book. This is a book that turns my thoughts inward and leaves me introspective and reflecting. That is often a good thing. If you want to reflect on our broken world today in light of Jesus' teaching, then you may be interested in When the World Breaks. I would encourage you to give it a try.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book based on a recommendation from Emily P. Freeman in one of her newsletters. I knew nothing of the author, but have been a longtime follower and reader of all things Emily P. Freeman and for good reason - once again she has steered me to an author firmly rooted in the actual message Jesus preached as put forth in the Bible and not the gospel according to modern self proclaimed evangelical christians whose behavior looks and sounds nothing at all like Jesus. Having heard the Beatitudes preached more times than I can count over the decades, I was skeptical that this book would be revolutionary, but figured it would at least be theological sound and a good reminder if nothing else. I was surprised to find that the author did in fact bring nuance, fresh relevance, and revelation in each of the chapters. I used this as part of my daily devotional reading and have found it to be meaningful from cover to cover. This is definitely one that I will look forward to reading through more than once and recommending to others as well.

[Jodie Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's the breaking of our outer world and the breaking of our inner world. Jason explores them both in depth through the Beatitudes with his masterful storytelling and Biblical understanding. His recent sermon series at South Bend City Church was a great intro to his book's guided journey through pain and suffering to the hope and resurrection on the other side.

It's what we do with our brokenness and emptiness that can create the permeability our souls need to become a conduit for God's life lived through us.

"Our reactions can be dismantled. We can stop returning pain to the world for the pain it has caused us. We discover we have something better to give. The inward path that these blessings call us into leads us to an outer life only made possible by that inner expansion. It's not something we summon or create. It's something that flows through us when we allow ourselves to remain open."

[Angela R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In what would be his final public appearance at the 1993 ESPYs, the late Jim Valvano ended his speech by famously saying, “To me, there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think -- spend some time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think, and cry, that's a heck of a day.”

Jason Adam Miller has just written his first book, WHEN THE WORLD BREAKS (available for pre-order NOW from your favorite bookseller), and I laughed, I thought, and I cried: IT’S A HECK OF A BOOK! This book offers a fresh look at a sacred text, and does it in a way that left me both speechless and energized!

[Lance Lumley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about the Beatitudes in the Bible and how they are looked at in a broken world was over my head and not sure what I read after each chapter.
This was one of the books that didn't resonate at all with me, thinking it was going to focus on something different, and ended up not knowing what I just read. Not to say that this is a bad book, just will be over the head of me

For an in-depth review, visit my page: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Orsayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the World Breaks by Pastor Jason Adam Miller takes a fresh approach to the Beatitudes, providing hope for challenging moments. The world can feel broken, and we may struggle to make sense of it. This book shows that we've faced tough times before and can find wisdom to help us through. It explores Jesus' teachings in simple and accessible language, assuring us that God is there for us in our suffering and guiding us to rebuild our lives with hope.

[Michael J Goldsworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller has given us a gift in the way he unpacks the Beatitudes, and invites us to the experience of finding wholeness in the midst of our own brokenness and the brokenness of the world around us. It's both thoughtful and soulful at the same time. I found myself at times challenged, and at other times comforted as he weaved together personal stories, biblical scholarship, and sociology. I can't recommend it highly enough

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller’s debut book is honest, timely, approachable, and hopeful. Highly recommend.

“When the world breaks—when you find yourself aching for things to be made right […] may you trust the sacred pangs of hunger and may you know how holy your parched palate is. And rather than allowing your thirst to be slaked by false promises and faux justice, may your ache become a compass that leads you to a feast of peace.”

[Royce Branning · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read when the world breaks I was constantly brought to new perspectives in the familiar territory of the beatitudes. Each chapter expanded the familiar teachings delving beneath my traditional readings to reveal Jesus' counter-cultural approach in addressing brokenness redemptively. Highly recommend.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason's book is a gift to the world. It speaks hope right into the darkest moments and provides depth and resonance particularly to those who have sadly found the faith they were handed as paper thin. This book is a healing tonic for the pain and a light that leads all the way to the truly beautiful Jesus and his subversive way that you knew was holding on for and worth following.

[Amber Ginter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Miller hits a topic that many of us are dealing with, but don't like to admit. Navigating the highs and lows of one faith can be extremely challenging. In a world of deconstruction, and figuring out what one believes, this serves as a good book for pressing on, choosing Jesus despite the questions, and holding onto hope as the world continues to break.

[Monica Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is how I’ve come to understand hope. It arrives when we realize that nothing taken from us can defeat us. When we discover that the pain we’ve been running from was never going to destroy us. When we’ve become acquainted with the healing mysteries that are laid bare in our most difficult experiences. When we discover that God is growing us up into our shared calling as healers.”

[Robyn Toran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! Somehow both light-hearted and thought-provoking. Starts a much needed conversation about how Jesus’ life and ministry was totally subversive. I loved how the chapters were broken down into the different blessings of the beatitudes – not as behaviors to aspire to, but as encouragement to the down trodden that they will still be rewarded.

[Brandon Lighty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly vulnerable work that artfully mixes the personal with the systemic. Miller shows how the Beatitudes remain an ageless teaching with surprising insights on everything from individual relationships to national political upheavals

[Tom Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful, deeply personal read on a new and deep pealing away of The Beatitudes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount. A way to better understand how to deal with the tragedies in our lives and in the world that often leave us stuck in the mud.

[Chris Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not a theological deep dive, and I’m not sure I buy all of the conclusions. Jason is a great storyteller though and I think there’s truth to a lot of the book. A short read and look into the beatitudes.

[kpschoening · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the last several pages. It resonated where I am at the moment. Thank you for bringing a voice of many of the unheard to the table.

[Steve Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller writes a beautiful set of reflections on the Sermon on the Mount as a way toward something good, even a way toward God, when the world is falling apart.

[Caity Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Phenomenal.

[Shanda Scherdin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 4.5

[Anthea Wratten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply insightful moving inspiring and book. I’ve finished it but am immediately starting it again.