Beatitudes, Not Platitudes: Jesus' Invitation to the Good Life
112
Beatitudes, Not Platitudes: Jesus' Invitation to the Good Life
112eBook
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781532633140 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Cascade Books |
| Publication date: | 03/22/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 112 |
| File size: | 503 KB |
About the Author
Dr. Metzger is the author of Evangelical Zen: A Christian’s Spiritual Travels With a Buddhist Friend (2015); Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths (2012); The Gospel of John: When Love Comes to Town (2010); Exploring Ecclesiology: An Evangelical and Ecumenical Introduction (co-authored with Brad Harper; 2009); and Consuming Jesus: Beyond Race and Class Divisions in a Consumer Church (2007). He is co-editor of A World for All?: Global Civil Society in Political Theory and Trinitarian Theology (co-edited with William F. Storrar and Peter J. Casarella; 2011); and editor of Trinitarian Soundings in Systematic Theology (2005). Dr. Metzger is a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey, and Senior Mission Scholar in Residence, Spring 2018, at the Overseas Ministries Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut. The Metzgers have two children and one grandchild. He has a keen interest in the art of Katsushika Hokusai and Georges Rouault, the writings of John Steinbeck, and the music of Johnny Cash, The Doors, and Nirvana. Dr. Metzger blogs frequently at "Uncommon God, Common Good." Dr. Metzger’s present research projects include a forthcoming volume on social ethics inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s personalist philosophy and public theology, most notably Dr. King’s prophetic critique of the Vietnam War.
Dr. Paul Louis Metzger (Ph.D., King’s College London) is Professor of Christian Theology & Theology of Culture at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, Jessup University. He is also the Founder and Director of The Institute for Cultural Engagement: New Wine, New Wineskins and Editor of New Wine’s journal Cultural Encounters: A Journal for the Theology of Culture. Integrating theology and spirituality with cultural sensitivity stands at the center of Dr. Metzger’s ministry vision. He and his wife, Mariko, have been active in intercultural ministry in churches in the States, Japan, and England. Dr. Metzger is the author of More Than Things: A Personalist Ethics for a Throwaway Culture (IVP Academic, 2023); Setting the Spiritual Clock: Sacred Time Breaking Through the Secular Eclipse (Worship & Witness series, Cascade, 2020); Beatitudes, Not Platitudes: Jesus’ Invitation to the Good Life (Cascade, 2018); Evangelical Zen: A Christian’s Spiritual Travels With a Buddhist Friend (Patheos, 2015); Connecting Christ: How to Discuss Jesus in a World of Diverse Paths (Thomas Nelson, May 2012); New Wine Tastings: Theological Essays of Cultural Engagement (Cascade, 2011); The Gospel of John: When Love Comes to Town (InterVarsity Press, 2010); Exploring Ecclesiology: An Evangelical and Ecumenical Introduction (co-authored with Brad Harper; Brazos/Baker, 2009); Consuming Jesus: Beyond Race and Class Divisions in a Consumer Church (Eerdmans, 2007); and The Word of Christ and the World of Culture: Sacred and Secular through the Theology of Karl Barth (Eerdmans, 2003). He is co-editor of A World for All? Global Civil Society in Political Theory and Trinitarian Theology (co-edited with William F. Storrar and Peter J. Casarella; Eerdmans, 2011); and editor of Trinitarian Soundings in Systematic Theology (T&T Clark International, 2005). Dr. Metzger is a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey, and served as Senior Mission Scholar in Residence, Spring 2018 at the Overseas Ministries Study Center, when it was located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Metzgers have two children and one grandchild. He has a keen interest in the art of Katsushika Hokusai and Georges Rouault, the writings of John Steinbeck, and the music of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Doors, and Nirvana. Dr. Metzger blogs frequently at Uncommon God, Common Good (Patheos). His forthcoming works include the second edition of Evangelical Zen (Cascade, 2024), a volume on trauma and resilience (Worship & Witness series, Cascade, date TBD), and one on complexifying the category of “world religions” (IVP Academic, date TBD).
What People are Saying About This
“I was most impressed with Paul Louis Metzger’s not only evangelical but also social-justice reading and interpretation of Jesus’ powerful Beatitudes. May his tribe increase!”
—Frederick Dale Bruner, author of Matthew: A Commentary
“For preachers and teachers who value Scripture, Paul Louis Metzger provides a robust theological reading of Scripture rooted in sound exegesis. In addition to the careful reading of the biblical text, Metzger offers historical, theological, social, and practical insights that call us to actually embody Scripture instead of just talking about it.”
—Soong-Chan Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity
“Beatitudes Not Platitudes reveals what we are missing when we bypass Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount or minimize its meaning to avoid distressing ourselves. Paul Louis Metzger implores us to take a closer look and ponder Jesus’ words. Jesus means to jolt us out of the status quo—even our American Christian status quo—so we will hunger for and cultivate the values of his kingdom. A wise and important book for such a time as this!”
—Carolyn Custis James, author of The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules, and Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World
“In clear and accessible prose, Paul Louis Metzger walks us through Jesus’ simple but revolutionary introduction to the upside-down kingdom of God . . . With the heart of a friend and the mind of a scholar, Metzger guides us through the cultural setting and contemporary relevance for each of Jesus’ beatitudes. This highly readable book provides a winsome vision for any Christian hungering to walk afresh in the way of Jesus. But it’s also an exceptional resource for preachers and teachers who want to lead their people through this potent and beautiful section of Scripture.”
—Matt Woodley, editor of Preaching Today, author of The Gospel of Matthew: God with Us
“Beatitudes, Not Platitudes is one of the few books in recent memory that meets more than one need in the church today. It is theologically informative and devotionally inspirational, while at the same time, it encourages us to be more sensitive to the social challenges that many are struggling to overcome. Paul Louis Metzger has written a masterpiece for our times.”
—Jimi Calhoun, Lead Pastor, Bridging Austin, author of A Story of Rhythm and Grace: What the Church Can Learn from Rock and Roll About Healing the Racial Divide
“The Beatitudes are spiritual treasures. They are like diamonds that never lose their value or beauty with the passing of time. However, too often our church theologies and cultural challenges gloss them over with a thick veneer that hides their true meaning. In Beatitudes, Not Platitudes, Paul Louis Metzger, skillfully wipes off the dust, helping the reader rediscover the true light, color and symmetry of these great diamonds. Metzger’s style is clear, direct, biblical, and well-illustrated.”
—Alex Awad, Retired Pastor of East Jerusalem Baptist Church, author of Palestinian Memories: The Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People
“What philosophers across the ages have described as ‘the good life’ Jesus redefines as ‘the blessed life,’ but not without some surprising promises. In the lucid and devotional prose of Paul Louis Metzger, the Beatitudes of Jesus are no mere platitudes. They challenge conventional notions of success and popularity, revealing the paradoxes of the upside-down kingdom. This book is a must-read—chock full of life-transforming and world-changing possibilities.”
—Paul N. Anderson, Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies, George Fox University, author of From Crisis to Christ: A Contextual Introduction to the New Testament, Following Jesus: The Heart of Faith and Practice