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The Cross in the Midst of Creation: Following Jesus, Engaging the Powers, Transforming the World
The Cross in the Midst of Following Jesus, Engaging the Powers, Transforming the World links Christian understandings of creation, atonement, and the biblical principalities and powers. Sharon Delgado asserts that the crucifixion is ongoing as institutional powers diminish human life and destroy creation, and that the resurrection is ongoing as faith overcomes despair and the Spirit equips people to rise in courage and follow Jesus into the heart of the struggle for a transformed world. This book explores and critiques traditional doctrines and popular teachings about the cross and draws from various stories of Jesus and biblical metaphors to offer life-enhancing perspectives on this core symbol of Christian faith. It presents the cross as a symbol of God's presence throughout creation and undying love as revealed in Jesus; also explored are the path of discipleship, the moral bankruptcy of the dominating powers, engagement through nonviolent resistance, and above all, God's triumph over the powers, offering hope for the world. It also challenges followers of Jesus to throw off despair and complacency, exposes disempowering and hate-filled teachings that claim to be Christian, and reclaims the gospel as a force for healing, empowerment, and both personal and social transformation. By participating in the ongoing story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and experiencing the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, we discover the creative power at the heart of this and every the all-encompassing, infinite, eternal love of God.
271 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2022
1 person is currently reading
900 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Delgado
5 books22 followersSharon Delgado is an ordained United Methodist minister, author, speaker, and activist. She travels widely, speaking before spiritual communities and secular audiences on climate change, economic and environmental justice, peacemaking, and globalization. Sharon is author of Love in a Time of Climate Change: Honoring Creation, Establishing Justice (Fortress Press, July 2017) and Shaking the Gates of Hell: Faith-Led Resistance to Corporate Globalization (Fortress Press, 2007). Her blog is Progressive Christian Social Action at http://sharondelgado.org.
Find out more about Sharon at https://sharondelgado.org/about/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 27, 2022
This book inspires my Christian journey to co-create the better world that prophets have spoken of through the ages. As we face extinction from human-caused climate change, the message of Jesus is as urgent as ever.
I've gone to church all my life. At an early age I was taught some bad theology about atonement -- that it was God's will for Jesus to die in order to save humanity. Actually, Jesus was killed by the ruling powers of his day because he challenged the imperial system of Rome. As a citizen of the American empire, I experience how Christ's message continues to disrupt the status quo. This book explains how the same Domination System that killed Christ produces injustice in our day. Yet Christ's message is ever-empowering to people who seek to replace the violent, pyramidal structure with one that builds God's Dream -- or the Beloved community, as expressed by MLK.
The author describes the Cross as the symbol of resistance to powers of oppressive hierarchy. She explains how Jesus' death is redemptive as it draws people to be in solidarity with all of life. This book inspires me to deepen my relationships in Christian community. I want to follow Christ's way of nonviolence and confront the dominating forces that are killing the living world. We don't have much human time left to address catastrophic climate change. However, the world is ripe for a nonviolent revolution that will bring about system change. The theology in this book promotes the transformation required to realign with Creation.
I've gone to church all my life. At an early age I was taught some bad theology about atonement -- that it was God's will for Jesus to die in order to save humanity. Actually, Jesus was killed by the ruling powers of his day because he challenged the imperial system of Rome. As a citizen of the American empire, I experience how Christ's message continues to disrupt the status quo. This book explains how the same Domination System that killed Christ produces injustice in our day. Yet Christ's message is ever-empowering to people who seek to replace the violent, pyramidal structure with one that builds God's Dream -- or the Beloved community, as expressed by MLK.
The author describes the Cross as the symbol of resistance to powers of oppressive hierarchy. She explains how Jesus' death is redemptive as it draws people to be in solidarity with all of life. This book inspires me to deepen my relationships in Christian community. I want to follow Christ's way of nonviolence and confront the dominating forces that are killing the living world. We don't have much human time left to address catastrophic climate change. However, the world is ripe for a nonviolent revolution that will bring about system change. The theology in this book promotes the transformation required to realign with Creation.
August 21, 2022
Emulating Jesus in Pursuit of Justice
In The Cross in the Midst of Creation Rev. Sharon Delgado explores what it means (or should mean) to be a Christian today. The key is The Cross, i.e. the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. She rejects the traditional interpretation that this was an act of God to forgive our sins. Instead she emphasizes Jesus’ teachings and actions in pursuit of love, peace, and justice, and shows how he threatened the imperial powers in Judea to the point where they retaliated by crucifying him. He didn’t back down, he maintained his message to the end - - and his resurrection shows that the message of love will triumph. To be a Christian today requires us to follow Jesus as mentor and role model, to pursue love and justice and oppose institutions of power and domination just as He did. Delgado briefly alludes to the various systems of interrelated institutions that maintain hierarchy and domination today, and she inspires us to oppose these in pursuit of justice. The Cross becomes metaphor: the powers of domination are crucifying society and creation, and we must devote ourselves to resurrecting love and justice. Her thesis is based on Christian sources and theology but is relevant to non-Christians as well.
In The Cross in the Midst of Creation Rev. Sharon Delgado explores what it means (or should mean) to be a Christian today. The key is The Cross, i.e. the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. She rejects the traditional interpretation that this was an act of God to forgive our sins. Instead she emphasizes Jesus’ teachings and actions in pursuit of love, peace, and justice, and shows how he threatened the imperial powers in Judea to the point where they retaliated by crucifying him. He didn’t back down, he maintained his message to the end - - and his resurrection shows that the message of love will triumph. To be a Christian today requires us to follow Jesus as mentor and role model, to pursue love and justice and oppose institutions of power and domination just as He did. Delgado briefly alludes to the various systems of interrelated institutions that maintain hierarchy and domination today, and she inspires us to oppose these in pursuit of justice. The Cross becomes metaphor: the powers of domination are crucifying society and creation, and we must devote ourselves to resurrecting love and justice. Her thesis is based on Christian sources and theology but is relevant to non-Christians as well.
July 12, 2022
Timely look at the clash between the message of Jesus and the powers of Jesus' time and our times. Delgado examines the symbolism of the cross--a scandal in the day of Jesus--and its meaning in Christianity and how the crucifixion has been seen in theology historically, arguing for a viewpoint which does not represent a cruel, vengeful God. She presents the cross as representing the entire story and teachings of Jesus, including his death, crucifixion and resurrection. She maintains that the crucifixion was not a one-time historical or theological event but an on-going reality in which our ruling institutions are entrenched in a global system designed to multiply wealth legitimized by secular and religious ideologies, and yielding vastly unequal rewards, both domestically and abroad. The abuse of the most vulnerable, persons dear to the heart of God, are an on-going crucifixion. She also presents Creation and Resurrection as on-going events. This is a well-researched and worthwhile read, providing a wealth of preaching value.
June 27, 2022
This book is both timely and necessary, as we face a world where American Christianity , as portrayed in the media, seems to be more concerned with power and domination than with compassion and justice. Delgado explains how "our proclamation of the gospel and how we understand the meaning of the cross are critical to informing our response to today's challenges, because our understanding either inspires or limits our participation in solutions." She gives the theological analysis as to why Christians today should be actively working to transform our world through care of creation and care of others, if we are truly following Jesus's teachings and examples and truly believe in a God who is Love.
July 16, 2022
Sharon Delgado has gathered poignant quotes from contemporary theologians (and some not quite so contemporary) to compliment her thesis of challenge for present day Christians to “speak truth to power” as Jesus did throughout his sojourn on earth. She cautions against the subtle ways domination systems seep into the lives of followers of Christ today, crucifying Jesus again and again with injustices, poverty, inequities and violence just as the cross did long ago. Yet she presents hope, with the transformation of people’s lives as they experience resurrection anew. She supports her thesis with biblical references throughout. Her book is a powerful read, well worth your time.
By Barbara Dean
By Barbara Dean
July 20, 2022
Sharon Delgado's newest book is so relevant for today, with the world and its peoples unraveling right before our eyes. She explores the Way of Jesus, correlating His past with our present, and encourages us (the readers) through example to shuck off our lethargy and weariness ... and to take action. Sharon invites her readers to join her in agreeing on the meaning and purpose of the gospel, that we have common ground for considering how we might follow Jesus in responding to the challenges of our time. The Cross in the Midst of Creation is a deep and meaningful read, which I personally found very helpful. I am ready to help "transform the world!"
June 17, 2022
Right now I'm deep into Sharon Delgado's engaging book The Cross In the Midst of Creation. Favorite names like Walter Wink and Marcus Borg are coming up...Delgado's gift is in her ability to recast bedrock biblical truths into stark contemporary terms, making the values of the cross come alive on today's dominator-driven playing field.
June 16, 2022
I love this book! Sharon Delgado has a very deep understanding of the scriptures and applies them so clearly to our life here and now. She sees how the crucifixion and resurrection are still happening every day. This is a fresh and beautiful perspective on the Good News! It gives me hope!
June 3, 2024
I really loved the fresh perspective on the meaning of the crucifixion and Jesus's way of life.
October 2, 2023
Not to be taken lightly
This book brings together a solid, compassionate theology that names the dehumanizing “powers that be” and their attack on authentic faithfulness to the God expressed in Jesus. It’s a specific charge to practice faithfulness to this fragile, intricate world and to the God who created it. It challenges me to live differently!
I love how this book brings together a rich theology that names the dehumanizing “powers that be” and encourages specific actions to challenge them. It presses me to live differently in this fragile, intricate world, more faithful to God, who creates it all.
This book brings together a solid, compassionate theology that names the dehumanizing “powers that be” and their attack on authentic faithfulness to the God expressed in Jesus. It’s a specific charge to practice faithfulness to this fragile, intricate world and to the God who created it. It challenges me to live differently!
I love how this book brings together a rich theology that names the dehumanizing “powers that be” and encourages specific actions to challenge them. It presses me to live differently in this fragile, intricate world, more faithful to God, who creates it all.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews