The Powers That Be

Rating:
Summary: Not very impressive
Review: Mr. Wink makes some interesting points in this book, but I found it flawed. While his ideology seems similar to my own, he seems rather selective in his use of scripture. I don't expect a biblical scholar to pick and choose in deciding what's relevant, putting enough spin on a verse to make it match the viewpoint of the one reading it. Wink does plenty of that, and at times seems to read the bible to defend his opinion rather than reading it as a way to formulate opinion. He makes a number of good points but I can't wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Walter Wink Brings New Light To Modern Theology
Review: One time I saw my cat. She was gingerly licking herself in the process of grooming her coat. I began to wonder why I had moved to rural Indiana when I began to realize that I had forgot to watch the "West Wing" on NBC that night. I cursed and silently killed my kitten.

Rating:
Summary: Redemption for People and Powers
Review: The strength of this book lies in its assertion that the powers that be, those systemic and institutional forces within our lives, are also open to God's redeeming Grace. Since God's Grace extends to all, and since human institutions are the product of creatures of God, we should see all the manifestations of Creation as being invited into Life.

The weakness of this book lies in the same assertion, however -- in that one runs the risk of interpreting Wink, correctly or not, as sacrilizing too much in those institutions and systemic manifestations of society. I do not think this is Wink's intent. But i don't think he steers sufficiently clear of this risk, however.

Overall, an excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Redemption for People and Powers
Review: The strength of this book lies in its assertion that the powers that be, those systemic and institutional forces within our lives, are also open to God's redeeming Grace. Since God's Grace extends to all, and since human institutions are the product of creatures of God, we should see all the manifestations of Creation as being invited into Life.

The weakness of this book lies in the same assertion, however -- in that one runs the risk of interpreting Wink, correctly or not, as sacrilizing too much in those institutions and systemic manifestations of society. I do not think this is Wink's intent. But i don't think he steers sufficiently clear of this risk, however.

Overall, an excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Good & evil, war & peace-Wink deftly examines hard questions
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good & evil, war & peace-Wink deftly examines hard questions
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Finding evil in our midst
Review: Walter Wink's groundbreaking work gives us a new way to examine the ideas of evil and salvation in the Bible. Wink suggests that the Powers and Principalities mentioned in the New Testament are the psychological underpinnings of complicated systems -- that is, that every corporation, church, government, etc., has its own personality that tends to take over no matter what the individual people involved. All these powers have a God-given purpose, but when they serve their own ends rather than human beings, they become demonic, and it is Christians' responsibility to confront them through nonviolent action and prayer.

Wink writes stirringly and concisely. He quotes frequently from Scripture, and uses examples from contemporary life such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Wink seeks to return the church to a foundation in Scripture rather than the accretions of Christendom and arcane theological theories. A must -read for any serious, thinking Christian who wants to live their faith and not just profess it.

Rating:
Summary: THEOLOGY??????? IN THE TITLE
Review: Walter Wink, member of the "Jesus Seminar" oddly titles his book "THEOLOGY for the New Millenium." This title is really odd since Mr. Wink in this book refutes the divinity of Christ: Constantine The Great you see declared Christ to be divine at the Council of Nice in 325 A.D. This to obscure His message as a social reformer that the emperor did not like. Well "theology" though it might be, if the divinity of Christ is an invention then it is not Christian theology.
The text then goes on to embrace every extreme left wing cause one can imagine in the name of some concern for the oppressed in the world. Sincere though this concern may be, his largely socialist approach simply will not work. If you want some real THINKING on the subject of social justice read: Wealth Poverty And Human Destiny by Dr. David Schindler.

Rating:
Summary: THEOLOGY??????? IN THE TITLE
Review: Walter Wink, member of the "Jesus Seminar" oddly titles his book "THEOLOGY for the New Millenium." This title is really odd since Mr. Wink in this book refutes the divinity of Christ: Constantine The Great you see declared Christ to be divine at the Council of Nice in 325 A.D. This to obscure His message as a social reformer that the emperor did not like. Well "theology" though it might be, if the divinity of Christ is an invention then it is not Christian theology.
The text then goes on to embrace every extreme left wing cause one can imagine in the name of some concern for the oppressed in the world. Sincere though this concern may be, his largely socialist approach simply will not work. If you want some real THINKING on the subject of social justice read: Wealth Poverty And Human Destiny by Dr. David Schindler.

Rating:
Summary: A challenge to traditional Christian faith - Don't miss it!
Review: Wink has written a fascinating and readable book. This isheavy theology packaged for sale to a junk-food crowd. I recommend itwithout reservation.

The essence of Wink's thought revolves around "redemptive violence," the belief that "violence saves." The powers Wink engages are those which employ violence to maintain their dominance. This dominace of violence, ranging from literal torture and death to softer forms of humiliation and degradation, are described as the explicit focus of Jesus' life and message. His death, rather than being a violent appeasement of a blood-thirsty God, is revealed as the only nonviolent means of defeating the powers - embracing the unjust suffering of violence as a means of bringing humiliation and reproach to the powerful.

Those looking for an exegetical analysis of Jesus' sayings may be initially frustrated by Wink. He uses biblical references as illustrations, not proof texts, and his imagination frequently stretches the limits of "proper" hermeneutics. Nonetheless, his imagination captures the spiritual essence of Jesus' call for nonviolent opposition to evil in a powerful and convincing manner.

Those hoping for a manual of social activisim will be frustrated by Wink, also. His calls for personal reform and renewal as much as he calls for political change. Most of his psychological musings are clearly derived from CG Jung, but seem to be written by one who has found Jung's insights personally meaningful.

In conclusion, I must commend Wink for his short essay on worldviews and how our unconscious adoption/indoctrination into a worldview influences all that we think and believe. I also commend his analysis of prayer, especially in this worldview context.

As a "recovering fundamentalist" I believe this book may prove to be one of the major pillars in my personal attempt to rebuild my faith. I simply loved it.