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Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection
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.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Wells
124Ìýbooks46ÌýfollowersSamuel 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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 8, 2023
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.
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.
April 17, 2019
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.
March 31, 2022
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.
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.
March 30, 2012
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.
July 27, 2011
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!
October 21, 2008
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.
August 13, 2008
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.
June 26, 2009
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.
Want to read
April 13, 20122008 Duke Divinity summer reading
April 8, 2014
Awesome book! This will make you really reflect on your Lenten journey and your daily walk with Christ.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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