On Eagles' Wings: An Exploration of Strength in the Midst of Weakness

Publisher Description

A volume of practical and scriptural essays, written by Biblical scholars, theologians, and Christian ministry practitioners exploring the idea of strength in weakness in Christian life. The book covers the idea in both Old and New Testament passages that suggest human weakness and divine strength, exemplified by the people of Israel, a community reliant on grace. Mark's portrayal of Jesus Christ indicates that it is in weakness that Christ saves. Paul's paradigm for ministry suggests the same. The teaching of strength in weakness is examined in Luther's life, Calvin's view of prayer, Barth's theology, and the divine dealing with the world. Pastoral theology demonstrates the signii-- cance of this theme for a suffering church in its mission to the world as well as its importance for preaching the leading of God's people today. The book faces the overemphasis on power in today's church, and proposes ways to engage in ministry and mission with biblical humility and reliance on God's grace. " 'On Eagles' Wings' is a heart-warming, insightful, and deeply human collection of essays.Its contributors are international in i-- avour and context and they bring to the important theme of 'strength in weakness' both a classical engagement with the text of Scripture and theology and a contemporary awareness of what living responses to that Scripture might look like today. Based on sound scholarly work and exegesis, this volume is winsomely and sometimes amusingly written. It is a book to be read in the high and the low times of the Christian life, especially by Christian leaders and workers who are expected in greater measure than others to be incarnations of the faith of cross and resurrection. It exudes practical wisdom, realism, and devotion. It will not disappoint." -- Nigel G. Wright, Principal, Spurgeon's College, London Michael Parsons is Director of Postgraduate Study and Research at Vose Seminary of Western Australia. He has written 'Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives' (2004), 'Reformation Marriage' (2005), and 'Calvin's Preaching on the Prophet Micah' (2006), and edited 'Text and Task: Scripture and Mission' (2005). David J. Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies and a lecturer in Hebrew Bible at Vose Seminary of Western Australia.He has written about the relevance of lament psalms for worship and pastoral care in 'Text and Task: Scripture and Mission' (2005) and is currently examining the relationship between praying lament psalms and coping with stress.