Migliore L. Daniel. The Power of God. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983:115pp
Daniel L. Migliore is professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological seminary, where he has taught since 1962. He is the author of Called to Freedom: Liberation theology and the future of Christian doctrine (Westminster, 1980), as well as many articles and reviews. He is an ordained minister in the United Presbyterian Church. He has graduated from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, Princeton theological Seminary, and Princeton University.
The Power of God is a book that the author wrote to answer fundamental theological, moral and social problems during his time. He tries to show the power of God which is made known in Jesus Christ. The crucified and the living Lord is neither cheer Almightiness no mere impotence; it is power that makes freedom, Justice and lasting community. In this book the author observes that the gospel of God’s power brings not only the word of judgment but also offers new life and hope to both the powerful and the powerless of our age. The author asserts that the close association of power and God is a universal religious phenomenon. God is experienced as awesome power, power that evokes wonder and fear. God is mysterious power that both attracts and repels us. The power of God is superior to all other powers because it has the capacity to create and to destroy. The author affirms that this power we call God judges and redeems us, p 23.
The author makes a distinction between the true God and the god of the idols. He cites that only God is worth to be the object of the total and unconditional love and loyalty. The true God he observes is radically different from the gods to whom we are tempted again and again to give our hearts. He noted that faith in God of the bible should be distinguished continually from faith in the gods, citing that the power of God of the bible is set before his people to choose as to which power they shall worship and serve.
In this volume the author observes that we are presented not only with a single image of God but with a rich diversity of images. Each image contributes to the full understanding of the power of God according to the faith of Israel. The power of God is the power to set the oppressed free. Once and for all the power of God is the power that makes for human freedom in a world of bondage. Thus the author asserts that power of God is both liberating and demanding, both a power that grants freedom to those in bondage and a power that makes foe justice on the earth. He further observes that God liberating power includes the call to justice, and it is also understood as compassionate power. God’s power is experienced both as a reality and as a promise. Liberating has come, yet it needs to come again is greater scale and depth.
As earlier observed, the author points out that, the power of God is not the power of cheer Almightiness, but the power that work in Jesus’ ministry. in his forgiveness to sinners
Daniel L. Migliore is professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological seminary, where he has taught since 1962. He is the author of Called to Freedom: Liberation theology and the future of Christian doctrine (Westminster, 1980), as well as many articles and reviews. He is an ordained minister in the United Presbyterian Church. He has graduated from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, Princeton theological Seminary, and Princeton University.
The Power of God is a book that the author wrote to answer fundamental theological, moral and social problems during his time. He tries to show the power of God which is made known in Jesus Christ. The crucified and the living Lord is neither cheer Almightiness no mere impotence; it is power that makes freedom, Justice and lasting community. In this book the author observes that the gospel of God’s power brings not only the word of judgment but also offers new life and hope to both the powerful and the powerless of our age. The author asserts that the close association of power and God is a universal religious phenomenon. God is experienced as awesome power, power that evokes wonder and fear. God is mysterious power that both attracts and repels us. The power of God is superior to all other powers because it has the capacity to create and to destroy. The author affirms that this power we call God judges and redeems us, p 23.
The author makes a distinction between the true God and the god of the idols. He cites that only God is worth to be the object of the total and unconditional love and loyalty. The true God he observes is radically different from the gods to whom we are tempted again and again to give our hearts. He noted that faith in God of the bible should be distinguished continually from faith in the gods, citing that the power of God of the bible is set before his people to choose as to which power they shall worship and serve.
In this volume the author observes that we are presented not only with a single image of God but with a rich diversity of images. Each image contributes to the full understanding of the power of God according to the faith of Israel. The power of God is the power to set the oppressed free. Once and for all the power of God is the power that makes for human freedom in a world of bondage. Thus the author asserts that power of God is both liberating and demanding, both a power that grants freedom to those in bondage and a power that makes foe justice on the earth. He further observes that God liberating power includes the call to justice, and it is also understood as compassionate power. God’s power is experienced both as a reality and as a promise. Liberating has come, yet it needs to come again is greater scale and depth.
As earlier observed, the author points out that, the power of God is not the power of cheer Almightiness, but the power that work in Jesus’ ministry. in his forgiveness to sinners
He says that by speaking of God in such terms as “Pantocrator” – the power that controls all things, the church prevented its witness from becoming the story of a tribal of provincial deity, p 61. God is able to do everything except that which is contradictory. The power of God is the greatest power imaginable. The power of God he says is the story of the passion and resurrection of Christ. Finally the author observes that God is certainly the supreme power. God has all the power needed to create, redeem, and complete the world in a personal way. He asserts that the power of God made known in Christ is not sheer omnipotence but supremely powerful love. It is divine power present decisively in Christ and in his Spirit. God is creator, redeemer, and transformer of life, not mere Almightiness but creative power; not impassive but compassionate power; not immutable but steadfast, life giving power that liberates and transforms the world.
Critique
This book is worthy reading if one wants to understand practical Christian faith. The author is clear in his arguments about weather we worship a God of raw power or the God revealed in Jesus Christ. In this book he demonstrates how Christian gospel transforms both the idea and the exercise of power. Many times the author points out that the power of God is neither sheer Almightiness nor mere impotence. His aim is clear here, that God is God, none can be compared by him. The author leads his readers to understand that the power of God is power that is God. Every reader who reads this book will agree with the author that God’s existence can be proved. This reviewer likes the lay out of the book whereby the author kind of moves from the unknown to known. He begins the book by trying to answer the question of God’s power. Throughout the chapters he makes his readers understand that it is through the Christian faith that God is known as God of power. His development of the chapters are well organized which does not bring confusion to the readers.
According to this reviewer, the author is detailed in his agent to discuss the power of God. But the reviewer feels that he (author) would have discussed in more details the biblical witness to God’s power Chapter 3. Why does the reviewer feel this way? In the forward of this book, the author points out that this book deals with contemporary Christian issues. A collection on crucial doctrines or issues in the Christian faith today, p 11. If so than, he (author) would have gone deeper to discuss what it means today for those who do not recognize the power of God, which he points out that is found in the resurrection of Jesus. On the other hand he (author) points out that this is a book for those Christians who think that theology is not theirs, it is the feeling of this reviewer that the author should have gone further to discuss faith in God, like he attempted to do in Chapter 6, p 91. However it is clear that he has a call to his readers to reflect on the bible and on the history of the church and to find their own ways of understanding the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Seemingly, the author has limitations as he writes this book. For example, when he presents his interpretation of the omnipotence, which he cites is God’s “Supremely powerful love” p 63, he does not mention in details how this is fulfilled in the scriptures. Although he cites that in the NT the decisive depiction of the power of God is the story of the Passion, he seems to assume that his readers are aware of the Passion story. What happened at the cross that shows the love of God in Christ? This is not coming out clear as the author takes his readers through these chapters especially chapter 4. This reviewer would have wanted to hear more of the Power of God as far as the passion story is concerned.
However, this book is worth reading. This reviewer recommend this small book for those seeking their daily commitment to Christian faith. This book will introduce to the readers the way to think about God, as they (readers) seek to understand the significant element of Christian faith and knowledge of God. This book will direct readers to think about the power of God in salvation especially, and the effects of this power to every believing Christian is today. This reviewer highly recommends this book without reservations.
Critique
This book is worthy reading if one wants to understand practical Christian faith. The author is clear in his arguments about weather we worship a God of raw power or the God revealed in Jesus Christ. In this book he demonstrates how Christian gospel transforms both the idea and the exercise of power. Many times the author points out that the power of God is neither sheer Almightiness nor mere impotence. His aim is clear here, that God is God, none can be compared by him. The author leads his readers to understand that the power of God is power that is God. Every reader who reads this book will agree with the author that God’s existence can be proved. This reviewer likes the lay out of the book whereby the author kind of moves from the unknown to known. He begins the book by trying to answer the question of God’s power. Throughout the chapters he makes his readers understand that it is through the Christian faith that God is known as God of power. His development of the chapters are well organized which does not bring confusion to the readers.
According to this reviewer, the author is detailed in his agent to discuss the power of God. But the reviewer feels that he (author) would have discussed in more details the biblical witness to God’s power Chapter 3. Why does the reviewer feel this way? In the forward of this book, the author points out that this book deals with contemporary Christian issues. A collection on crucial doctrines or issues in the Christian faith today, p 11. If so than, he (author) would have gone deeper to discuss what it means today for those who do not recognize the power of God, which he points out that is found in the resurrection of Jesus. On the other hand he (author) points out that this is a book for those Christians who think that theology is not theirs, it is the feeling of this reviewer that the author should have gone further to discuss faith in God, like he attempted to do in Chapter 6, p 91. However it is clear that he has a call to his readers to reflect on the bible and on the history of the church and to find their own ways of understanding the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Seemingly, the author has limitations as he writes this book. For example, when he presents his interpretation of the omnipotence, which he cites is God’s “Supremely powerful love” p 63, he does not mention in details how this is fulfilled in the scriptures. Although he cites that in the NT the decisive depiction of the power of God is the story of the Passion, he seems to assume that his readers are aware of the Passion story. What happened at the cross that shows the love of God in Christ? This is not coming out clear as the author takes his readers through these chapters especially chapter 4. This reviewer would have wanted to hear more of the Power of God as far as the passion story is concerned.
However, this book is worth reading. This reviewer recommend this small book for those seeking their daily commitment to Christian faith. This book will introduce to the readers the way to think about God, as they (readers) seek to understand the significant element of Christian faith and knowledge of God. This book will direct readers to think about the power of God in salvation especially, and the effects of this power to every believing Christian is today. This reviewer highly recommends this book without reservations.
