Ebook
To read and visualize the transfiguration of Christ is to enter its mystery and encounter its hope. Like the Gospel writers and the disciples who climbed the mountain with Jesus, we struggle to tell the story and explain its meaning. Yet this astounding event reveals God's ultimate purpose in sending his Son--the complete restoration of humanity and all creation--our transfiguration in Christ. The light and glory of that moment reveal a destiny that is infinite and eternal, made possible by the power of grace. Transfiguration is the trajectory and goal of our spiritual journey. Across time and space, Christians have reflected on the mystery and hope epitomized in the transfiguration, yet their voices have been heard primarily within their own cultural and ecclesiastical contexts. This study gathers many of those voices from the panorama of Scripture and church history and finds in them the common theme of radical transformation in Christ. The point of this theological conversation is spiritual transfiguration and hope for each of us as we reach toward the future Christ has shown us in himself.
“Van Dussen has produced an easy-to-read but substantive book.
The transfiguration of Jesus is treated as a ‘symbol of hope’ for
the Christian's transformation into the likeness of Christ. While
Van Dussen quotes widely from various Protestant and Catholic
sources, he notes that transfiguration is ‘at the forefront’ in
Eastern Orthodoxy, which he cites most frequently alongside his own
Wesleyan tradition.”
—Wayne McCown, President, Ashland Theological Seminary
“Van Dussen's probing and provocative study of Jesus'
‘transfiguration’ reveals how much we are like Jesus' disciples,
who instead of seeing the Spirit shining through him, inside-out
transfiguration, still focus on ‘dazzling white’ robes and
celestial visitors, outside-in transformation. Most importantly,
Van Dussen shows on every page how much the world today needs
transfiguration, not just transformation.”
—Leonard Sweet, best-selling author of Bad Habits of Jesus
(2016)
“In Transfiguration and Hope we meet a fresh exploration of
the central insight of Christian faith. . . . God wants
to make us more and more like God’s Self and God’s Son.
. . . Van Dussen offers the reader a well-documented and
deeply personal exploration of life with God in the world. This
book is highly recommended for . . . readers concerned
about faithful living, and spiritual transformation.”
—John R. Tyson, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School,
Rochester, New York
“The transfiguration stories in the Gospels are not just about
Jesus. They are about the life that God has in store for us as
well. Van Dussen draws upon theological thinkers across a broad
array of traditions to discuss the transfiguration and its
significance for our lives today. This is a very helpful guide for
those who want to go deeper into the life of sanctification and
holiness. Highly recommended!”
—David F. Watson, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio
“With laser precision, Van Dussen uncovers the deep theological
riches of the transfiguration—a biblical story that is too often
relegated to the realms of exegetical curiosity or pious legend.
. . . All who read this book will find themselves both
informed and encouraged by Van Dussen's hopeful exposition of God's
restorative grace on behalf of all creation.”
—Douglas R. Cullum, Northeastern Seminary, Rochester, New
York
D. Gregory Van Dussen is Adjunct Professor of History, Ministry,
and Spirituality at Northeastern Seminary, Rochester, New
York.