Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection

by Samuel Wells

Samuel Wells vividly paints the stories surrounding Jesus' cross and resurrection. We see the weakness of Pontius Pilate and Barabbas, and the compromised character of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. We discover the subtle power of Pilate's wife. And in Peter and Mary Magdalene we find the true power of resurrection, bringing forgiveness and ending the stranglehold of death, thus transforming all human passion. Through close readings of the gospel texts, Wells demonstrates the significance of these characters for faith and life today.

In this book, structured with one chapter for each week of Lent, Wells guides us from the deathly power that put Jesus on the cross to the new power brought by Jesus' resurrection. The book offers opportunities at the end of each chapter for prayer and discussion. The Archbishop of Canterbury has selected Power and Passion as his Lent book for 2007.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Samuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.

Reviews

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book for 2007, and I read it on publication. I loved the sub-title, but it didn't quite fit the book - it's really only right at the end that Wells gets on to resurrection, and there are actually seven characters rather than six (Joseph of Arimathea shares a chapter with Nicodemus).

The content itself is a little uneven. For each of the characters, Wells provides an overview of what the Gospels say about them, some commentary, some points for reflection and a prayer. The prayers are rather good, modern content in a relatively traditional style; but the points for reflection didn't engage me.

When commenting on the Gospels, Wells is consistently at his best when he deals with the Gospel of John; best of all is his explanation of the rather strange, but moving post-Resurrection scene between Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the garden. He is much weaker on the Synoptics, where much of what he writes looks like over-interpretation. The entire chapter on "Mrs Pilate" (sic, and just don't get me started) falls in this category, with the exception of some rather useful comments on dreams in the Bible. Wells claims in his introduction that this is a feature rather than a bug, but I'm not convinced.

I also find it extraordinary that in 2007, in a section on gender difference, he was able to write without any apparent sense of irony, "What a wonderful epitaph: 'She followed'". That almost made me want to throw the book across the room; but thankfully, there were no other such moments.

[Matthew Kieswetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this personally, and then again with a Lenten group, and appreciated it both times. It has solid and interesting historical information that can be enriching for sermon-prep, and creative explorations of various characters that will lead to fruitful group discussion.

Each chapter ends with "wonderings" that are similar to discussion questions, but more interesting and less prescriptive.

Undergirding a lot of the ideas is the work of John Howard Yoder, an Anabaptist whose "The Politics of Jesus" is an important 20th century theological work, but who is now looked upon, understandably, with caution and concern due to the uncovering of his abuse and manipulation of people who had been in his care.

[Nick Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book to review. It has some brilliant insights and sections, but they are kind of scattered, so the book lacks consistency.

[ANTHONY S. SAMALTANOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insights

This book gave me insights into the world of Jesus. It taught me new definitions for Power and Passion. This book opened new vistas for my faith journey.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an exceptionally well argued, well thought, and brilliantly presented way of thinking about Jesus and God's presence and power in the world today. Bravo! The stories of the six characters provide a way to think about our ways of being in the world, about our relationship to God in the world, and about the power that we have to live into and through that relationship.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly powerful. Especially recommended reading during Lent. It's a very approachable text and completely moving--I don't remember the last time I highlighted a book I was reading for enjoyment, and I don't remember the last time I highlighted any book at all so much. Inspiring!

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great points about how Christians should view power, and some interesting speculation on lesser-known New Testament characters, but some of his speculations were more confusing than helpful.

[Eunsung · Rating 4 out of 5]

this fella will be one of professors at duke. i liked what he said about politics and how the separation of politics and faith is usually done as to keep the status quo.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me some new insights into the passion narrative. I didn't like how Wells made a lot of assumptions about the people he was portraying.

[Tobi]

2008 Duke Divinity summer reading

[Monica Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! This will make you really reflect on your Lenten journey and your daily walk with Christ.