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Book Description
The Powers That Be reclaims the divine realm as central to human existence by offering new ways of understanding our world in theological terms. Walter Wink reformulates ancient concepts, such as God and the devil, heaven and hell, angels and demons, principalities and powers, in light of our modern experience. He helps us see heaven and hell, sin and salvation, and the powers that shape our lives as tangible parts of our day-to-day experience, rather than as mysterious phantoms. Based on his reading of the Bible and analysis of the world around him, Wink creates a whole new language for talking about and to God. Equipped with this fresh world view, we can embark on a new relationship with God and our world into the next millennium.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A profoundly important book,
By
This review is from: The Powers That Be (Paperback)
If I had to pick the best theology books of the past twenty-five years, Walter Wink's *Powers that Be* would be close to the top of the list. It does nothing less than revolutionize the way Christians have come to think of their role in the world. But when I say "revolutionize," what I really mean--and this is Wink's contention as well--is that it "reminds" Christians of the original message brought by Jesus and accepted by the early Church. And that message is that nonviolence, not violence, is not only what God expects, but also what ultimately works in the world.Wink argues that humans live under "domination systems"--the "powers and principalities that be." These are the structural and ideological institutions that manipulate our minds, lives, and activities, reduce our freedom, and retard our flourishing. As Christians, we're called to resist them without buying into the "myth of redemptive violence"--the centuries' old chestnut that violence is the only kind of force that works, and that because it works it justifies itself. Jesus showed an alternative way--the path of nonviolent resistance. In examining nonviolent resistance, Wink is masterful. He persuasively destroys the stereotype of nonviolence as a turn-the-other-cheek passivity by exploring what Jesus really meant when he advocated cheek-turning or walking the second mile. Along the way, he offers one of the most insightful analysis of the post-Jesus "just war doctrine" I've ever read. Wink is realistic enough to not completely reject the doctrine. But he does suggest that we quit using it as a justification for war and begin thinking of it instead in terms of "violence-reduction criteria." An amazing book that every Christian ought to read and meditate on, particularly now that the dogs of war are baying loudly. I give it ten stars.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good & evil, war & peace-Wink deftly examines hard questions,
By
This review is from: The Powers That Be (Paperback)
This latest distillation of Wink's thinking about the problem of evil and the necessity of nonviolent action is a wonderful read. It is clearly written, would be a great focus for an adult Sunday School class, and uses terminology that even the theologically uneducated can comprehend. Not a lot of theology books are page turners that can be read in one sitting, but this one is (at just over 200 clearly written pages). Then you go back for more. How do we think about organizations or nations that do bad things? What are the real demons of the world? Why do wars occur? What is the theory behind nonviolence, and why should Christians understand it? Wink takes some broad, deep and meaningful issues and manages to make cogent arguments in short, simple terminology. I particularly found his discussion of "just war" theology to be helpful. This is one that I'll refer to again and again as I write sermons and do my own theological discernment. Every pastor should own it, and I highly recommend it to lay persons as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, majestic good sense,
By
This review is from: The Powers That Be (Paperback)
Wink's argument is passionate, reasonable, and convincing. Non-violent resistance has always been the Christian response to injustice, and now that force of courageous compassion is re-shaping the world. Wink's accounts of the great democratic revolutions of the 1980s and 90s give inspiring tribute to a growing movement for partnership, which is sweeping away the old "powers that be". He shows how Jesus' dream for the world is practical, doable, and just good sense. "God's domination-free order", he feels confident, will prevail.--author of Correcting Jesus
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