The Source of Life

Moltmann writes in an eloquent manner about the theology of life and the Holy Spirit. He begins the book by sharing a personal episode from his life as a prisoner of war where he studied and learned the knowledge of the saving truth in Christ. This is a stimulating look at Moltmann's roots in theology and life with Jesus. His writing is refreshing because as well as writing theologically Moltman writes from a personal experience with God that seems to flow from an intimacy true seekers of Christ would like to emulate. He writes of the relationship of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity with the Father and the Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit to Christians. As he expands on the Holy Spirit's role and life in the church, he writes about the Christian life in community with each other and with God. He also writes about God in creation. This section leads into what might be called a treatsie on environmentalism. His final chapter is on prayer and offers helpful insights into Christian prayer and communication with God. Overall, this is an excellent book for all Christians that can serve devotionally to bring us closer to God. Craig Stephans, Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

Moltmann's book is the classic in contemporary Pentecostal thought. Bill Johnson's /When Heaven Invades Earth/ draws deeply on the same thoughts. The translation, however, is abysmal. The Holy Spirit is translated as "it" rather than using a personal pronoun. The translator (trying to be PC) is not on the same vibe as the writer. Moltmann writes beautifully about a close-up, not distant, God who loves and empowers us. This God gives us hope for the future of our planet in the face of all challenges.

Anything written by Jurgen Moltmann is a must read (a difficult read but still a most read). He is the greatest living theologian in the world and this book continues to confirm this in my mind. When I understand him I am dumbfounded by his words. He discussion of our world being ruled by our fear of death has changed my life. How can we really live when even Christians fear death? For example - at one time in history our society was intimately involved with the dead. If you died your family would be the ones who took care of you, prepared you for burial, and then buried in the center of town by the church where everyone would be reminded of your life. Now if you are dying we place you in a hospital and even there move you away from the other patients into an I.C.U., once you die we give your body to someone else (a mortician) to take care of it and prepare it for burial, and then we bury you on the outskirts of town where we can forget about you. We are scared of death and that keeps us from living. Of course, his discussion on the four positions of prayer is also very good. This is one of his easier to read works but it is still excellent.

As a Pentecostal-Charismatic I really enjoyed reading this book. Here in a simple and sensitive way Moltmann, who is one of Europe's leading theologians, distills in a small book a lifetime of reflection on and struggle with the Spirit. Themes that I thought familiar (such as prayer and holiness) I found to be challengingly unfamiliar through this book. One excellent feature of this book was the way it discussed the Spirit in relation to contemporary social and personal issues.