Metamorpha: Jesus as a Way of Life (Paperback)

by Kyle Strobel (Author)
Key Phrases: worldview deconstruction, being missional, worldview development, New Way of Being, New Way of Living, Spirit of God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"I can only pray that many, many people will read this book. What is written within these pages is by far the most important thing followers of Jesus can focus on both for our own spiritual formation and for the collective health of the church at large." -- Dan Kimball, author, The Emerging Church

"Kyle Strobel has studied and reflected deeply on how it is that people actually change... Read him and morph!" -- John Ortberg, pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"Kyle deconstructs some of our assumptions about the Bible, God's Spirit, and Christ's community in thought provoking ways. But he doesn't stop there; he rebuilds a thoroughly biblical understanding that adds rich texture to living conformed to the image of Christ." -- John Burke, author, No Perfect People Allowed

Product Description
Metamorpha is the Greek word for transformation, and Metamorpha: Jesus as a Way of Life calls people to a life of renewal, discovery and a beautiful dependence upon a God who became man and dwelt among us. Metamorpha offers an invitation to a journey beyond the black and white mediocrity of religiosity to a life of belief formation at the foot of the Master.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801067731
• ISBN-13: 978-0801067730
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #666,287 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Contribution to the "Spiritual Formation" Genre, May 26, 2007

By	Matthew C. Jordan "feetofshadows" (Bexley, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the introduction to this book, Kyle Strobel describes himself as both a "child of evangelicalism" and a "child of the emerging church." Unlike authors who find it impossible to move forward without killing their parents, however, Strobel describes a vision for spiritual formation and church life that is faithful to the best features of both of these perspectives.

Like many emergent thinkers, Strobel is convinced (and rightly so!) that the mere transmission of information cannot bring about the sort of inner change that should characterize the followers of Jesus. He invites us to understand the Christian life as a journey, to receive Jesus as our Lord and Master, indeed, to receive him "as a way of life." As he says on page 50, discipleship is not first and foremost "a call to right understanding" but "a call to right 'becoming.'" Strobel does not, however, reduce the Christian faith to a mere subjective experience or to a program for moral change. Rather, he argues that being formed in the image of Christ is a lengthy process of "worldview re-formation," a process that requires time and commitment. Most importantly, he argues, those who would follow Jesus must remain ever open to divine deconstruction of our assumptions and attitudes. "Jesus will take us on a journey through what we really believe about him, how we really think, and how much we depend on ourselves over him" (219).

This book really challenged me to re-evaluate my own life; I plan to read it again, more slowly, over the next few months. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who is thinking seriously about what it means to follow Christ in the 21st century. Its style makes it accessible to laypersons and pastors alike.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Question belief, April 2, 2007

By	George Roach (Wheaton, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kyle takes an introspective approach to the journey of faith. He walks us through his experiences of struggles and doubt to show that there are answers out there. I have had the privilege to lead a small group discussion through this book. All of us came to it with the perspective of "I have heard it all before". We were wrong! Kyle challenges us to question our beliefs in order to find out what the root of our beliefs are.

This book would be beneficial to readers at varying places in their spiritual journey from someone who is in doubt and struggling to anyone that wants to take the next step in their spiritual journey. This book should be required reading by small group leaders, seminary students, pastors, or anyone else that is serious about their own faith and responsible for leading others on their own journey of faith.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walking with God through a life that is undeniably human, April 3, 2007

By	mindonfire (SoCal) - See all my reviews

Kyle Strobel has offered a look at the Christian life which takes seriously who we are as people - broken, struggling, and hopefully looking up to a God who will accept us and deliver us. Metamorpha breaks through the clichés and all of the overly-simplistic Christian-culture to a journey with God that is developmental and deeply meaningful. Strobel is someone who - with evident humility - has clearly grappled with the depths of his own heart before the face of God, and has thought deeply about the realities of the Christian life. In the emerging generation there are few voices whose critique, humility, and insight into living with Christ are so intricately woven together.

After reading through Metamorpha there are two major groups that I think would be particularly encouraged, challenged, and delighted at the depth of thought found here:

1) Anyone who is involved in leadership or ministry of any kind desires to be open to the vision of a formational understanding of the Christian life that takes a serious look at our presuppositions and the spiritual baggage we bring to God.
2) Simply anyone who desires to live as a genuine disciple of Christ and wants to think deeply about their spiritual lives. We cannot ignore that the church has tended to inculturate people rather than help them become true Christ followers, and this book offers a vision of life, ministry and mission towards that end.

The issues of our true beliefs, and the presuppositions we all bring to God, are issues that are rarely addressed well. But Metamorpha offers a way to engage God and his people that will prove to guide you along a deeper journey with God.