Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life

Peterson seems to say that, if we call ourselves "Christians," we have no choice but to live as if the resurrection really happened. He rejects religiosity in favor of faith and relationship, but he attaches new meaning to Christian practices like Holy Communion and he links "living the resurrection" with everyday life and ordinary activites. You may never look at a supper with friends the same after fnishing this book.

Peterson has taken a 35 year calling as a pastor and another 20 years as a professor and summarized it into a single short easy-to-read book about the impact of the Resurrection on the people involved. A dynamite practical book which I purchased for sons and friends. One of the best books I have ever read.

One of the best books I have read on being an authentic Christian in the 21st Century. Packed with great insights, Peterson's Spirit-illuminated views provide accurate diagnosis combined with biblical remedies. It is a must read for anyone looking to make sense of how the secular worldviews have crept into the church and wants to recover how to seek God in the ordinariness of life.

Eugene Peterson --- pastor, scholar and translator of The Message Bible --- believes that after you encounter the resurrection of Jesus, everything changes. When the resurrection becomes the center of your spiritual formation, then you are brought to a place of renewal in your walk with God. Peterson argues that resurrection isn't something that we give much attention to in our DIY, self-help society that often puts more emphasis on results than the process it takes to arrive there. He invites readers to engage in resurrection wonder and cultivate a sense of awe in their relationship with God. Peterson believes that much of the wonder of our lives is lost because we spend so much time working. Our jobs become a place where we fulfill demands and give into the tyranny of the urgent. As a result, any sense of awe is lost in what we do and subsequently in our lives. Peterson believes we can recapture the wonder by taking the Sabbath seriously. He writes: "These days, the secular world around us is giving considerable attention to Sabbath-keeping. Corporations have discovered its benefits in health, relationships, and even in productivity in the workplace. Articles and books are showing up touting the wonderful returns that come from rest, from breaking workaholic compulsions, and so forth. All this may be true. But that's not why we keep the Sabbath. We are not primarily interested in a longer life or emotional maturity or a better golf game. We're interested in God and Christ being formed in us. We're interested in spiritual formation-by-resurrection." In addition to keeping the Sabbath, Peterson invites us to embrace the resurrection through our meals. Reflecting on the Emmaus supper and Jesus's breakfast with the disciples on the beach, we're invited to remember Christ's presence in our lives and at our meals. In the process, we're invited to recapture some of the depth of life that comes when we break bread with others over a prolonged meal and not just grab a quick bite of fast food together. We are encouraged to invite Jesus in the very ordinariness of our lives. Finally, Peterson challenges us to embrace the resurrection of fellowship in our relationships. We are invited to partake of relationships not just with each other but to understand the holy relationship of the Trinity. He writes: "Going over this final round of resurrection stories, we get a deepened sense that Jesus' resurrection involves us with others. It forms bonds of friendships. It initiates us into a company of men, women, and children who can no longer understand themselves as autonomous selves, independent from one another." Overall, LIVING THE RESURRECTION is an extremely well-written and thought-provoking book that pushes readers beyond spiritual insights and into the realm of spiritual formation. Peterson pokes, prods and uncovers the heart issues behind the way we live our lives and invites us to come into a deeper life --- one rooted and fueled by Christ alone. Th

This book is based on Peterson's conference at Regent College several years ago. It is an excellent introduction to Peterson's writtings. The chapter on "Resurection Wonder" is worth the price of the book.