Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ (Eugene Peterson's Five "Conversations" in Spiritual Theology)

Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ (2010) is the final book in the 5-volume spiritual theology series by Eugene Peterson. In the book, Peterson explores growth in Christ and character formation for the Christian by going slowly through Paul's letter to the Ephesians. In the introduction, Peterson wrote, "Evangelism is essential, critically essential. But is it not obvious that growth in Christ is equally essential?" In evangelical circles, I think we can become easily unbalanced in this way, and this book serves to "true the wheel" a bit.The way in which Peterson writes reminds me of the pleasure of a slow stroll with a learned man. As we walk, he stops to point out things that he sees and those things may remind him of something else, which enriches the experience. His knowledge is broad and his insights welcome.There is so much to commend about this book, though I would leave with just a few short words from the author himself."In fifty years of being a pastor, my most difficult assignment continues to be the task of developing a sense among the people I serve of the soul-transforming implications of grace--a comprehensive, foundational reorientation from living anxiously by my wits and muscle to living effortlessly in the world of God's active presence. The prevailing North American culture (not much different from the Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek, and Roman cultures in which our biblical ancestors lived) is, to all intents and purposes, a context of persistent denial of grace" (p. 96)."'Be subject to one another.' Maturity is not analogous to a body-building regimen in which we lift weights to build our muscles to the max, and then periodically stand before a mirror to examine our progress. Maturity is not a solitary state; it is relational. Maturity does not come about by making the most of ourselves; it is making the most of personal relationships. We don't do that by becoming stronger than the other, overpowering him or her, dominating either emotionally or physically. We don't impose ourselves. We enter into another person's life sharing both weakness and strength. We enter the life of another, but we don't force the entrance. Mutuality is always involved in 'be subject.'" (p. 234)"There is more to church than sermons and sacraments, theology and liturgy, Bible studies and prayer meetings, committee minutes and mission statements. There are names, meals, small talk, births, deaths. There is us. Conversation is the form that language takes when the persons of the Trinity and the persons of the congregation are in the same room. The 'everything' that Tychicus will have to say to the Ephesians is no insignificant part of what it means to be the church. And you and I are Tychicus" (p. 271).If you have the time and are willing to put in some thought work, I would strongly recommend this excellent series of books. Practice Resurrection, however, is a great capstone on the series. A book by one of my favorite authors about my favorite book of the Bible is a welcome addition to my library and one I will no doubt reference often in the future.

Love it, love it, love it! What does it mean to be Christian? It means that we have exchanged an old life devoted to "me," what I want, what I want to do, what I want to believe, for a new life that abandons the life that alienated us from God and embraces an entirely new way of living with Christ as the Captain of our Ship, and his life as our example to the extent that we can say with the Apostle Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20). Thus, we practice resurrection when we live and act as Christ. Want to take your Christian life to "the next level?" Study the Bible with this purpose in mind and with this book to help you along.

Mr Peterson makes many excellent points in this study of Ephesians. He gets very long winded sometimes, so I skimmed over many lists of examples. His vocabulary is high level, so have a dictionary handy!Worth the read, but don't rush.

From the introduction to the last page, Peterson delivers an opus criticism of `churchology' using Ephesians as the model. I think, at the moment, that you need to be a seasoned reader of Peterson, et.al. as well as settled in the disciplined path of mature Christianity to appreciate Resurrection's relevance. The book might not be for the many but the few who `get it'. I would believe that pastor's might struggle with it. It's not a text for the dead, the babies or the lukewarm.Peterson goes for the jugular of Christian `hypocrisy'. Of course there's hypocrisy. Of course it's not Christian. But there is no church in the NT legacy and none today that can avoid the reality of communal imperfection. Yet, perfection is what is demanded and towards that perfection, Peterson cheers us on.I've thoroughly enjoyed Peterson's books and recommend and gift them to my more mature-in-Christ brothers and sisters. I considered providing a copy of Resurrection to a pastor friend ... but if he read it, he might be troubled by the message that comes with the gift. It's clearly thinking like mine here that is the crux of Peterson's writing ... so I'll think on it. Peterson's Resurrection is different from his previous fare. Peterson writes with `in your face' verve to force the reader to visualize the image of the demands of communal worship as gleaned from the instructions to the Ephesians. The Holy Spirit is a change-up master that relentlessly pulls us individually and confederately forward into unknown territory. We that choose to follow would do well to be equipped with Peterson's wisdom.

Solid. At times beautiful. Encouraging. I am very glad to have read this, and I think that some of the concepts will stay with me.

Our church is using this book to assist with our study of Ephesians and to assist in our Christian growth. In this time of political unrest may it help to give us the strength to stand side by side with those who fear physical harm and personal uncertainty.

If you want to really begin to grow up in the Lord (many church members have not grown up in Christ, they have been stagnant in their growing in Christ) you need to get this book, read it an being the process of really growing in the Lord. This is an incredible journey through the book of Ephesians on learning to balance God's calling with walking with God to be worthy(Gk. axios) as Christians who have grown up in Christ. Get it and read it!

Easy to read, challenging and recommended. An exposition of the N.T. book of Ephesians with an emphasis on it's application to life and the potential value of the church in that.I'll be reading and annotating it again soon. As I said: recommended for anyone who wants to live the life God intends for us.

In this book Prof. Peterson is answering many of the questions I have had about the church, and affirming some of the gut feelings I have had. Some very interesting insights, and a good, in-depth study of the book of Ephesians. It's giving me some ideas for a sermon series!

Peterson is inspiring and thought-provoking.