Jesus Christ for Contemporary Life

Synopsis: Jesus Christ for Contemporary Life is an understanding of Jesus as the Word of God, grounded in what can be known historically of Jesus and informed by subsequent reflection upon him, which hopes to help shape a Christian identity characterized by "bounded openness." In Jesus Christ for Contemporary Life, Don Schweitzer explores the significance of the person, work, and relationships of Jesus Christ for contemporary life. He moves from the historical Jesus to the present in three parts. In the first part Schweitzer develops an understanding of Jesus as the Word of God, who became incarnate to give the goodness and beauty of God further expression in time and space. Second, he explores how various atonement theories articulate ways in which Jesus empowers people to further express this beauty and goodness in their own lives. And finally, Schweitzer explores how Jesus relates to people in the church, to the events and movements in history, to other religions, and to Christians in their dialogue with God in prayer. Endorsements: "Professor Schweitzer offers here a fresh approach to Christology, deeply rooted in the Trinitarian tradition of Jesus Christ as the incarnation of the Word of God. Writing intentionally out of a Canadian/North Atlantic context, he draws upon contemporary studies of the historical Jesus, faces critical challenges to doctrines of atonement, and explores the significance of Jesus for movements of resistance to domination. A nuanced, non-reductive treatment of religious plurality, and of prayer, adds to the richness of this volume--an excellent educational tool for theological students and scholars." --Harold G. Wells Emeritus professor of systematic theology, University of Toronto Author of The Christic Center: Life-Giving and Liberating (2004) "Fresh, wide-ranging, and highly readable, Schweitzer's exploration of the singular personhood, saving work, and essential relationships of Jesus with others is an impressive accomplishment. A recurring motif of the book is that Jesus is the decisive embodiment in space and time of the beauty, goodness, and love of the triune God. The volume will serve well as a text for college and seminary courses in Christology." --Daniel Migliore Emeritus professor of systematic theology, Princeton Theological Seminary Author of The Power of God and the Gods of Power (2008) "Who is Jesus today? Don Schweitzer enters the theological realm around Jesus as Christ . . . to offer an engaging Christology for contemporary challenges--that is, to make sense of Jesus in a multireligious world with complex ethical and moral challenges. Schweitzer has succeeded in presenting a Christology . . . capable of having 'saving significance' in the work of seeking justice and resisting domination amidst a plethora of plurality. Schweitzer tackles a difficult topic with grace, knowledge, and creativity." --Heather Eaton Full professor/professeure titulaire, Saint Paul University Author of Introducing Ecofeminist Theologies (2005) Author Biography: Don Schweitzer is McDougald Professor of Theology at St. Andrew's College, Saskatoon, Canada. He is the author of Contemporary Christologies (2010).