AUTHOR: Eugene Peterson
PUBLISHER: Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2020, (160 pages).
First, he helps us take a closer look at the particular aspects of Jesus' resurrection. Beginning with the gospel narratives of "wonder, astonishment, surprise," there is a sense that the resurrection is beyond our biggest imagination. All four gospels give a unique perspective about the state of wonder. Matthew's narrative looks at the women's perspective that reveals the shift from wonder to worship. Mark shows us how the women were stunned beyond words. Luke gives us a sense of awe and confusion rolled into one. John invites us to see and to be thoughtful about the truth being revealed. Pointing out six references to the common fear, and helps us see the difference between human fear and holy fear. Peterson gives us the biblical perspective of holy fear: fear of the Lord. In doing so, he shows us the beauty of heavenly encounters that transcend human paranoia. How do we connect from earth to heaven? How do we comprehend the meaning of the resurrection? Simply put: It all starts with wonder. Refuse to let our human intelligence and desire for control interfere with the working of the Holy Spirit. He shows us five ways to do that. We should not be afraid of mystery but be open to God showing us the beauty of the resurrection. After all, he describes life on earth as "not a vacation paradise" but a "war zone."
Second, he compares and contrasts Jesus' times and our contemporary times. Recognizing the disconnected society from God; and the disdain over Church and Christianity, Peterson encourages believers to be witnesses of Christ. Continue to witness through regular worship; togetherness; social good; holy living; etc. Peterson shows us the relevance of spiritual formation through ordinary activities. The way we build a bridge from earth to heaven is via spiritual formation. He takes us back to the ordinary meals Jesus shared with his disciples and how Jesus spoke about his death and resurrection. The early disciples refused to believe but were eventually assured after seeing the prophecy comes true. Spiritual formation is the increasing view of earth from heaven's perspective. It is about learning to see the coming kingdom more and more, in all things present and future. The author also brings back the place of liturgy and explains how important it is as part of spiritual formation as a community. Peterson takes ordinary stuff and creatively builds rungs like a ladder leading up to the resurrection. He starts with a common family meal. He celebrates the togetherness of the community. He highlights the place of meals in the gospels, drawing out unique emphases in each gospel writer's narrative. He urges us to embrace routines. Eventually, he takes us to the common table, the Communion experience where we see Jesus not only as being the host at the table but as the host for all of life.
Third, he aims to help us cultivate the reality of what it means to live as people of the resurrected Christ. In "Resurrection Friends," Peterson expands on the meaning of a resurrection community that as far as our identity is concerned, we are not to differentiate ourselves between experts and laypersons. No economic disparity nor reputation must stand in the way of our communal identity. Friends are spiritual peers. There are to be no spiritual elites. For together, our identity is all in Christ alone.
My Thoughts
The resurrection is the highlight of Christianity. While the world celebrates Easter through chocolate eggs and furry bunnies, Christians celebrate the joy of the Resurrected Christ, seeing the prophecy fulfilled and the promise revealed through the Person of Jesus Christ. Christians all over the world celebrate Resurrection Sunday at least once a year. Just like the need to live as Christians not only on Sunday but every day of the week, we are encouraged to live out the resurrection life not only on Easter day but every day of the year. The apostle Paul has claimed that if there is no resurrection of Christ, our faith is in vain. Thus, why should Christians only celebrate resurrection one day per year? Peterson does us all a favour by shining light on the Resurrection and helping us to live out the reality of this resurrection.
Peterson writes with great understanding of the cultural climate. He creatively works through the angles of modern culture and helps us see the ancient biblical text with clarity and illumination. Keeping his eye solely on the Resurrection, he helps us see the world as what Christ would us see. I like the way he exhorts us to live our ordinary lives well. We don't have to depend on a single fantastic experience in order to authenticate our faith. All we need is a consistent practice of spiritual routines, and to remember that small things done faithfully will achieve great results in God's time. If there is one reason to read this book, this would be it: To live as ordinary people in our ordinary world, so that the world may know that Christ has come, Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. This is the perfect companion book to read in readying ourselves for Resurrection Sunday.
Eugene H. Peterson (1932-2018) is a pastor, scholar, writer, and poet. He has authored more than twenty books, including A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, The Contemplative Pastor, Leap Over a Wall, and the best-selling Message Bible. He is Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Eugene founded Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland, where he was the pastor for twenty-nine years. He lives with his wife, Jan, in Montana. They have three children and six grandchildren.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of NavPress, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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