Product Description
by Telford Work (Author)
Telford Work examines some of the most important ways Jesus is "the omega and the alpha"--the end and the beginning. Jesus alone fulfills the divine purpose for all things, brings about the end of the old world's evil and suffering, and begins eternity's new creation. This core conviction is one of the deepest logics that shapes Christian thinking and life. The author offers a unique, big-picture introduction to how Jesus's life and death shape Christian theology and practice and helps readers fully understand Jesus's transformation of all things.
Back Jacket
"Required Reading"
"Telford Work invites us to follow him to oft-avoided vantage points where new vistas of Christ can be pondered. Contemplating Jesus as the omega and alpha draws disciples deeper into the richness of Christ's beauty, provoking us to grapple with our rehearsed Christologies and compelling us to explore afresh what it means for Jesus to be the center of Christian faith for us today."--Brian Lugioyo, Azusa Pacific University "A dynamic and engaging vision that proclaims Jesus Christ as the answer to everything. Simple but not simplistic, Work's book shows that Jesus can transform every dimension of human life from individual salvation to civic life and international relations. An effective book for classroom teaching and discussion."
--Steven M. Studebaker, McMaster Divinity College "A wonderfully fresh approach to Christology--or, better, to the pivotal place of Jesus in the entire Christian vision. Particularly well suited for classroom settings, this volume is a gift to all who seek a coherent and compelling account of the centrality of Jesus."
--Doug Koskela, Seattle Pacific University "In his accessible, often witty, yet theologically deep way, Work retells the scriptural story from the perspective of Jesus as the disruptive turning point of history. Examined from this Christ-outward perspective, God, the cosmos, Israel, humanity, the nations, and even our own lives all have fresh light shone on them."
--David Stubbs, Western Theological Seminary "Work deftly navigates different and differing theological traditions to paint a coherent picture of Jesus as both the ending of the old and the beginning of the new, the omega and alpha. Work's text is an invitation to Christian discipleship. This book will be required reading in my classes."
--D. Allen Tennison, College of Church Leadership, North Central University "What if Christ were all in all? What if Jesus truly were our beginning and end? Drawn by these questions, Work presents the reader with a vision of life enfolded by Jesus Christ. All things, Work reminds us, are gathered up in Christ. Here is the engine that propels him through his consideration of numerous issues of faith and contemporary life."
--Stephen Wright, Nazarene Theological College
Author Biography
Telford Work (PhD, Duke University) is professor of theology and chair of the department of religious studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He is the author of several books, including Deuteronomy in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series.
