Preaching's 2014 Best Books for Preachers 2014 Best Theological Memoir from Byron Borger; Hearts and Minds Bookstore How did one of the twentieth century's most celebrated liberals have such a dramatic change of heart? After growing up in the heart of rural Methodism in Oklahoma; Thomas Oden found Marx; Nietzsche and Freud storming into his imagination. He joined the post-World War II pacifist movement and became enamored with every aspect of the 1950s' ecumenical Student Christian Movement. Ten years before America's entry into the Vietnam war he admired Ho Chi Min as an agrarian patriot. For Oden; every turn was a left turn. At Yale he earned his PhD under H. Richard Niebuhr and later met with some of the most formidable minds of the era―enjoying conversations with Gadamer; Bultmann and Pannenberg as well as a lengthy discussion with Karl Barth at a makeshift office in his hospital room. While traveling with his family through Turkey; Syria and Israel; he attended Vatican II as an observer and got his first taste of ancient Christianity. And slowly; he stopped making left turns. Oden's enthusiasms for pacifism; ecumenism and the interface between theology and psychotherapy were ambushed by varied shapes of reality. Yet it was a challenge from a Jewish scholar; his friend and mentor Will Herberg; that precipitated his most dramatic turn―back to the great minds of ancient Christianity. Later a meeting with then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Benedict XVI) planted the seeds for what became Oden’s highly influential Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. This fascinating memoir walks us through not only his personal history but some of the most memorable chapters in twentieth-century theology.
#787266 in Books 2013-10-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.20 #File Name: 0829819924315 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GreatBy DaniSo informative. Great perspective5 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Informed; Educated; Fair; Balanced...and ChallengingBy JayThe church I pastor has a ministry partnership with Palestinian Christians in the West Bank. This book is part of the preparatory reading for members of our mission teams who journey there. In "Whose Land; Whose Promise"; Dr. Burge has compiled from his personal experience and extensive research an informed presentation of the Palestinian side of the situation in the Holy Land. Since many Christians have developed their opinion on this matter from biased news reports; over-zealous eschatological writings; or simplified sermons; a book like this should help balance those who are open to a fair and intellectual treatment of the current crisis. If one has an opinion that is polarized regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; be prepared to be challenged by Dr. Burge's work. His revelation of Biblical background; attention to historical detail; and communication of human suffering the occupation has taken will teach your mind and touch your heart.What is commendable about this book is that Dr. Burge affirms and identifies the hope and promise that is present in the Holy Land among the Israelis and the Palestinians Christians. As one who travels there and knows personally the strife's; I see the Church enduring; ministering; and proclaiming the Light of the World that is desparately needed in a land darkened by selfishness and conflict.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Israel/Palestine Whose Land?By CaseWhose Land? Whose Promise?: What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the PalestiniansAs a Christian who has lived and worked on a regular basis in Israel/Palestine since 1972;it was refreshing to read another Christian's account which mirrors mine. I have long lamented that too many Christians really do not know what the Old Testament prophets (and Jesus)would say to the current residents of the land between Dan and Beersheva.The State of Israel exists; rightfully so; but what would the prophets and Jesus say about Israel's treatment of the Palestinians from 1948 through 2012? Gary M. Burge answers this question. Shalom/Salaam
