Imagining Redemption [Paperback]

David H. Kelsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2005

David Kelsey offers a groundbreaking discussion of Christian redemption by exploring the story of a series of horrendous events that befell a young boy and his family. Sam, eight years old, was stricken with a puzzling virus that left him physically and psychologically damaged. His family suffered greatly, as well. In the face of these events, Kelsey asks, what can it possibly mean to say that in Jesus Christ, God "redeems" such situations and events?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"His students, colleagues, and readers have long recognized David Kelsey as the clearest theological mind of his generation. In this book he brings that wonderful clarity to bear on the doctrine of redemption. The result is both systematic theology and pastoral theology at its best." - William C. Placher, Wabash College, and the recipient of the American Academy of Religion's 2002 Award for Excellence in Teaching"

From the Back Cover

"His students, colleagues, and readers have long recognized David Kelsey as the clearest theological mind of his generation. In this book he brings that wonderful clarity to bear on the doctrine of redemption. The result is both systematic theology and pastoral theology at its best." —William C. Placher, Charles D. and Elizabeth S. LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, Wabash College

"Imagining Redemption is a rare treat. Both deeply spiritual and profoundly theological, Kelsey’s book helps the reader to view theology and redemption in new ways. Kelsey seeks not to answer, once and for all, what earthy difference Jesus can make here not by a concept or simply a story but by teaching us the imaginative practice of remembering and anticipating redemption. A new genre is born: ‘systematically unsystematic theology.’" —Rebecca Chopp, President and Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Colgate University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (June 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664228895
• ISBN-13: 978-0664228897
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Difference Does Christ Make?, April 25, 2006

By 

C. Trueman "Always looking for a good read!" (Hamilton, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Imagining Redemption (Paperback)

Imagining Redemption offers a hands on understanding of Christ's work of atonement for humanity. Kelsey examines a specific tragic scenario and asks the question. What is the relevance of Christ's sacrifice for the individual's life in the face of adversity? Kelsey's willingness to tackle the question head on, in practical terms is refreshing and helpful! He examines the hard questions and offers some helpful suggestions. In this text he is able to address a very complex doctrine in terms that are accessible to the layman! It is a worthwhile read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What earthly difference am I making?, September 23, 2008

By 

FarAwayMegan (South Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imagining Redemption (Paperback)

Christianity today, in North America specifically, has a unique language that it uses, a language that is foreign to a new visitor on a Sunday morning and familiar to a regular church member. Words like sanctification, salvation, the Eucharist, repentance, incarnation, sinner, apologetics, exegesis, canon, and redemption are regularly used in churches all over on Sunday mornings and in varying other meetings during the week. It is interesting to note that the first time church visitor and the long time church member have something uniquely in common. They are both unable to define many words within the church language and vocabulary. It was this discovery that motivated David Kelsey to write his book Imagining Redemption, in which he imagines redemption through a narrative account of a boy named Sam, his disease, and it's tragic effect on him and his family. Through the entire text, Kelsey weaves his thoughts and explanations of what redemption is Christianly speaking as well as addressing the question, "What earthly difference can Jesus make here?" in light of redemption. I would recommend this book to any person, young or old. Your heart will break, along with Kelsey, and you will be challenged yourself to answer the question in the tragedies around you, "What earthly difference can Jesus make here?"

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagining Redemption, August 26, 2010

By 

Laura W - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Imagining Redemption (Paperback)

The book got her really fast (which I greatly appreciate since my semester starts soon). The book is an excellent condition.... very well taken care of. Thank you so much! I will definitely buy from you again!