Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross

by Michael J. Gorman

Most studies of Paul concentrate solely on his theology. This book breaks new ground by focusing on the source and nature of Paul's spirituality. Taking his cue from Paul's express desire to "know nothing but Christ crucified," Michael Gorman shows how Paul's personal experience of God constantly intersects with the story of the cross, an event that both reveals the cruciform character of God and shapes believers into a community of "cruciformity" (conformity to the crucified Christ).

Expertly combining biblical studies and theological reflection, this noteworthy volume presents a model of the Christian life marked by faith, love, power, and hope.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, New Testament, Christian, Religion, Church

429 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Michael J. Gorman (born 1955) is an American New Testament scholar. He is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University. From 1995 to 2012 he was dean of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.

Gorman specializes especially in the letters, theology, and spirituality of the apostle Paul. He is associated with the "participationist perspective" on Paul's theology. His additional specialties are the book of Revelation, theological and missional interpretation of Scripture, the gospel of John, and early Christian ethics. Gorman was born and raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, graduating from Glen Burnie High School in Glen Burnie, Maryland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in French from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy cum laude in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was also a teaching fellow in New Testament and an instructor in New Testament Greek. He has also been a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School, Regent College, Carey Baptist College (New Zealand), Wesley Theological Seminary, and two theological schools in Africa. Gorman has led several study trips to Greece/Turkey/Rome and to France/Switzerland. A United Methodist, Gorman is an active layperson and a popular teacher at colleges, seminaries, churches, and conferences representing many traditions. In the mid-2010s, despite still being a Methodist, Gorman began teaching in a Roman Catholic context. His older son, Rev. Dr. Mark Gorman, is a pastor and theologian who is also on the faculty of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.

Gorman is the author of nearly twenty books and more than sixty articles on Biblical interpretation and on ethics.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book. The basic premise of the book is pretty easy to grasp: The Christian life is best lived as a life of self-denying love for others following Jesus' example of giving Himself on the cross. It was great to see that concept teased out in various ways and through various passages of Scripture.

My big complaint about the book is that Gorman is very deferential to liberalism. For example, Gorman only deals with cruciformity in the "undisputed" letters of Paul. There are other examples, too.

Overall, the book is a great read, especially for preachers. It is very convicting and makes me want to live out of the cross.

[Barbara]

With fear and trembling...I crack open the pages of this book :)

[Joel Wentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I read the just-released, 20th anniversary edition of this, which has a very interesting new 'afterword' by Gorman, including his thoughts on the original publication of the book and rejoinders to some of the responses to it in the past two decades.**

This is a very excellent book, and probably my favorite single-volume work on Paul. The breakdown of what Gorman calls Paul's "master story" in Philippians 2 is persuasive, and especially the way he thematically applies that narrative to all the "undisputed" letters is extremely eye-opening. The structure of the book in the themes of "faith, love, power and hope" is also helpful and insightful. The inclusion of "power" in that list is head-scratching at first, but actually makes a lot of sense when Gorman unpacks it and interprets it through the cruciform lens/hermeneutic he develops. There are some tantalizing thoughts on how this contrasts with Greco-Roman virtues, and I wish there was just a bit more of that in the book (though it's already over 400 pages).

Additionally, it's an extremely readable text! This is my first book by Gorman, but he reminded me of Greg Boyd, in that he is an extremely sharp academic who can write both persuasively and accessibly about spiritual/theological ideas. The only reason this isn't five stars is that it's simply too long in a few sections, and though I understand the decision not to dive into the disputed letters, I really with some of the longer sections were edited down and Gorman was able to get into those other texts. I would have loved material on Colossians, for example, as it relates to the cruciform idea.

All that to say, this is top-shelf stuff. I'm definitely going to be referring to it in years ahead, and will be refreshing myself on it pretty much anytime I preach on Paul. It's that important! I'm excited to dive more into Gorman's work now.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I head read this book years ago. Gorman’s emphasis on lived spirituality shaped by the cross is a message that is desperately needed now, 20 years after he first wrote. I particularly appreciate how he takes the master story of Jesus in Philippians 2 and demonstrates how this pattern of “even though x (status), not y (selfishness) but z (self-sacrifice)” if found throughout Paul’s writings. Applying this to our understanding of faith, love, power and hope opens so many doors to exploring implications for following Jesus in today’s world—a spirituality of the cross that would truly be revolutionary.

[Cameron Barham · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…the ekklesia is what God is up to in the world: re-creating a people whose corporate life tells the world what the death and resurrection of the Messiah is all about. This people, the “Church,” lives the story, embodies the story, tells the story. It is the living exegesis of God’s master story of faith, love, power, and hope.”, p. 367

[Jake Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books on Paul I have read so far. Gorman shows us a Paul that is real and not so abstract which I really appreciated. His focus on Philippians 2:6-11 and how this was Paul’s “master story” is something I’ll take with me from here on out. Great book.

[Parker McGoldrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a downward path - pursue it.

[Brandon]

Good in-depth look at Paul’s ministry with the message of the Cross.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any true Pauline study of any depth.

[Chockletter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a fan of this book. So heavy, it almost makes it too hard to understand at times.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Gorman does great work in this recent compendium and analysis of the center of Paul's theology -- the cross. It lays out how the cross shapes Paul's experience of the Christian life. Though academic in tone, it's very readable, and the chapters get stronger as the book proceeds. It should be a basic (and read) book in every pastor's library.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Gorman challenges us to consider Paul's "integrative narrative experience" as our model of contemporary Christian spirituality. Basing his reflections on the master story of Jesus found in the Christ-hymn in Philippians 2, Gorman challenges believers to live a life that reflect the self-sacrificing life of Jesus.

Well worth the hours necessary to work through the material.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorman brilliantly traces the narrative spirituality of Paul through his writings providing an understanding for how Paul lived out the story of the cross. The cross, Gorman convincingly argued, is the center of Paul's spiritual life. I would call this an essential read for all those who are seeking to teach people the scriptures and lead them in the way of Jesus. It is well worth the investment.

[Anneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, a very interesting take on Paul's spirituality.

[Ptaylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very hard to read but worthwhile.

[Beth Peninger]

A couple of things led to my DNF (did not finish) status on this title. I had to get it through inner-library loan and there are no renewals on it and I started it too late to get through it by the due date. The second reason was it was SO meaty and academic that I couldn't get my head into it. I'm just not in that heady of a space right now. I got to page 45 before I decided it was time to give it up and since it was also sitting at the door of its due date the choice was kind of made for me. But I did not abandon it because it was poorly written or dull. Even though it is meaty and heady it is not dry in its delivery. Gorman keeps it engaging, at least in this reader's opinion! This is a title I picked up on my continuing quest to read the books on my friend's class lists for her classes. She had to finish the book, I did not. However, I may pick it up again at some point in my life - although considering the length of my to-read list that is probably not actually going to happen.