Reviews
Surprised by Paradox: The Promise of and in an Either-Or World by Jen Pollock Michel, Russ Ramsey
jkdehaven's review against another edition
4.0
In the book Surprised by Paradox, Jen Pollock Michel examines four of the different paradoxes that are a part of the Christian faith. She argues that we need to learn to be comfortable with the word "and" when it comes to describing what we need and that accepting paradox does not mean that we are doubtful. Rather, it is a way to embrace the complexity of Christianity. I found the sections on grace and lament to be the strongest towards supporting the arguments of the book. Both of these sections deal with important paradoxes that are often overlooked on one side or the other in American evangelicalism. Michel supports her arguments with Scripture and thinkers both ancient and modern. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a deeper study of how the seeming paradoxes of Christianity can actually lead us into a deeper faith.
dashhouse's review against another edition
5.0
Jonathan Edwards, the great American theologian, believed in paradox. He believed that in God we see many traits that don’t seem to belong together: infinite greatness and infinite care, infinite justice and infinite mercy, and infinite majesty displaying itself as stunning meekness. So did G.K. Chesterton, who said, “An element of paradox runs through the whole of existence itself.”
I confess I’m not always comfortable with paradox. I like my theology neatly defined. I understand and accept the idea of paradox, but it sometimes makes me nervous.
According to Jen Pollock Michel, author of the new book Surprised by Paradox, paradox isn’t the exception in life with God; it’s the rule. “From the way Jesus’ life unfolds (from the incarnation to his public ministry, and then to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascent), everything is full of surprise. God upends our expectations along the way, which seems to insist that we must approach theology with a great deal of mystery.”
Michel is no enemy of theological certainty. Her book is crisp with theological insight. I’m often taken when I read her by her grasp of good theology and her ability to express it clearly and beautifully. But Michel also knows that Scripture doesn’t resolve every apparent paradox. It leaves room for mystery. We live with tension and perplexity. We must worship with humility, wonder, and trust, understanding that there’s a lot we don’t understand.
Surprised by Paradox traces the paradox in Scripture contained within four biblical themes: incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament. Michel takes us through the major events of Jesus’ life as she also reflects on the tensions and struggles in her own life.
Michel does a good job handling these themes, but that’s not the only reason to read this book. It’s also worth reading because it’s written so well. I decided a while ago that I would read every book that Michel writes. This one reminded me how much I enjoy her writing. Michel is artful. There are sentences in this book (for instance, “Pretense in prayer is a lot like kissing with your clothes on”) that made me put down the book and pray that I would one day be able to write half as well as she can.
But here’s the main reason I recommend reading this book: because the older you get, the more you will recognize the reality of paradox. “This book began in a counselor’s office,” she starts — and that’s enough to get me interested. Michel does not write in the abstract. She writes as someone who has suffered, someone who has questions, and as someone who can relate to you and to me.
I think you’ve probably guessed by now: I loved this book. “As soon as we think we have God figured out, we will have ceased to worship him as he is,” she writes. Well, I want to worship God as he is, and to understand life as it is, and that means living with paradox. This book helps. Read it, enjoy it, and allow it to help you embrace both the certainties and paradoxes of Scripture and life.
I confess I’m not always comfortable with paradox. I like my theology neatly defined. I understand and accept the idea of paradox, but it sometimes makes me nervous.
According to Jen Pollock Michel, author of the new book Surprised by Paradox, paradox isn’t the exception in life with God; it’s the rule. “From the way Jesus’ life unfolds (from the incarnation to his public ministry, and then to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascent), everything is full of surprise. God upends our expectations along the way, which seems to insist that we must approach theology with a great deal of mystery.”
Michel is no enemy of theological certainty. Her book is crisp with theological insight. I’m often taken when I read her by her grasp of good theology and her ability to express it clearly and beautifully. But Michel also knows that Scripture doesn’t resolve every apparent paradox. It leaves room for mystery. We live with tension and perplexity. We must worship with humility, wonder, and trust, understanding that there’s a lot we don’t understand.
Surprised by Paradox traces the paradox in Scripture contained within four biblical themes: incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament. Michel takes us through the major events of Jesus’ life as she also reflects on the tensions and struggles in her own life.
Michel does a good job handling these themes, but that’s not the only reason to read this book. It’s also worth reading because it’s written so well. I decided a while ago that I would read every book that Michel writes. This one reminded me how much I enjoy her writing. Michel is artful. There are sentences in this book (for instance, “Pretense in prayer is a lot like kissing with your clothes on”) that made me put down the book and pray that I would one day be able to write half as well as she can.
But here’s the main reason I recommend reading this book: because the older you get, the more you will recognize the reality of paradox. “This book began in a counselor’s office,” she starts — and that’s enough to get me interested. Michel does not write in the abstract. She writes as someone who has suffered, someone who has questions, and as someone who can relate to you and to me.
I think you’ve probably guessed by now: I loved this book. “As soon as we think we have God figured out, we will have ceased to worship him as he is,” she writes. Well, I want to worship God as he is, and to understand life as it is, and that means living with paradox. This book helps. Read it, enjoy it, and allow it to help you embrace both the certainties and paradoxes of Scripture and life.
nicoletwalters's review against another edition
4.0
Surprised by Paradox is an invitation into the mystery and largeness of a God that is intensely knowable while so far beyond human comprehension. Michel brings a depth of theology and scholarship to the apparent contradictions of the Christian faith without losing touch with what makes that faith personal. I appreciated that she drew us into a place of wrestling with faith without giving easy answers.
alexrea's review against another edition
4.0
Generally speaking, we’re a people that doesn’t like mystery. We want clear-cut answers. Michel’s book, “Surprised by Paradox” reminds me of Aslan’s statement at the end of “The Last Battle,” where he charges the other characters to go “father up and farther in.” As we read Scripture and come to know more about God, we also realize that there’s much that remains mysterious. Still, in an effort to love God with our minds, we’re to continue growing in our knowledge and understanding of him. With that, however, we come face to face with a tension of sorts. There are some things of God we’re just unable to wrap our minds around.
Michel uses this book to outline four themes: incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament. She, poetic in her prose, forced me (multiple times!) to read and reread a sentence or paragraph, and simply meditate on the thoughts (e.g., “Grace is the gravity of our God-breathed world”).
I also appreciated Michel’s transparency throughout the text, as she allows us readers into her history and the lessons she learned through her mistakes. God, as Creator, owns all and is over all. On this, Michel writes, “If the kingdom is good news, it surely isn’t safe. Because there is no square inch of our lives that Jesus doesn’t intend to rule.” (This truth, to me, nearly reads as an amalgam of CS Lewis and Abraham Kuyper.)
“Surprised by Paradox” is challenging, thought-provoking, convicting, and encouraging – all in one. The Christian God is one who is mysterious, but that mystery should drive us to embrace the limits of our understanding, while praising him for his revelation. This revelation, of course, is chiefly shown in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).
I’m thankful for Michel’s work here and am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
*Note: I received an advance copy of the text in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
Michel uses this book to outline four themes: incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament. She, poetic in her prose, forced me (multiple times!) to read and reread a sentence or paragraph, and simply meditate on the thoughts (e.g., “Grace is the gravity of our God-breathed world”).
I also appreciated Michel’s transparency throughout the text, as she allows us readers into her history and the lessons she learned through her mistakes. God, as Creator, owns all and is over all. On this, Michel writes, “If the kingdom is good news, it surely isn’t safe. Because there is no square inch of our lives that Jesus doesn’t intend to rule.” (This truth, to me, nearly reads as an amalgam of CS Lewis and Abraham Kuyper.)
“Surprised by Paradox” is challenging, thought-provoking, convicting, and encouraging – all in one. The Christian God is one who is mysterious, but that mystery should drive us to embrace the limits of our understanding, while praising him for his revelation. This revelation, of course, is chiefly shown in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).
I’m thankful for Michel’s work here and am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
*Note: I received an advance copy of the text in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
mepitts's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Very thought-provoking and well-written book.
unknownbooks23's review against another edition
5.0
“A kingdom life is always a nonconforming life, and subversion is a form of witness.”
Often, when we think about what the Kingdom of God will look like, we forget that we are called to be witnesses of that kingdom, and we forget that that kingdom is already here among us. Surprised By Paradox by Jen Pollock Michel does a wonderful job explaining the concept of paradox in God’s kingdom, reminding us that God’s kingdom is an upside down one, where the righteous are not the rich but those who are poor, where children are to be heard and not just seen.
As I read through Surprised By Paradox and reflected upon the questions at the end of each segment, I found myself longing for this upside down kingdom, and hope that my life begins to act as a witness to that kingdom. Everyone should read this book out of longing for an upside down kingdom, one where tears are no more but one where everlasting joy and peace reign. The only way for this kingdom to be made among us is for the kingdom to change us first. We can’t change others using fear or suffering, but when we meet others in their suffering,there we’ll see change.
We should not fear the mystery of the kingdom life; rather we should embrace it, reminding ourselves that in the mystery, God is found. In the mystery, we worship the God who sees, who knows our suffering, and who knows our hearts’ desires. May Surprised By Paradox remind us that the mystery of God is not a terrible thing, but is a gift that blesses each of us who seek God diligently, as we strive to see Him face to face.
Often, when we think about what the Kingdom of God will look like, we forget that we are called to be witnesses of that kingdom, and we forget that that kingdom is already here among us. Surprised By Paradox by Jen Pollock Michel does a wonderful job explaining the concept of paradox in God’s kingdom, reminding us that God’s kingdom is an upside down one, where the righteous are not the rich but those who are poor, where children are to be heard and not just seen.
As I read through Surprised By Paradox and reflected upon the questions at the end of each segment, I found myself longing for this upside down kingdom, and hope that my life begins to act as a witness to that kingdom. Everyone should read this book out of longing for an upside down kingdom, one where tears are no more but one where everlasting joy and peace reign. The only way for this kingdom to be made among us is for the kingdom to change us first. We can’t change others using fear or suffering, but when we meet others in their suffering,there we’ll see change.
We should not fear the mystery of the kingdom life; rather we should embrace it, reminding ourselves that in the mystery, God is found. In the mystery, we worship the God who sees, who knows our suffering, and who knows our hearts’ desires. May Surprised By Paradox remind us that the mystery of God is not a terrible thing, but is a gift that blesses each of us who seek God diligently, as we strive to see Him face to face.
otisrobertson's review
5.0
This is a wonderful book! Refreshing, encouraging, challenging, and full of faith.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
lexdeweese's review
5.0
Surprised by Paradox is a book that entered my life at just the right time. As an individual prone to sort life into trite dualisms, this book reminded me of the greatness of God and the complexities of faith we are called to hold in tension.
Jen Pollock Michel again brings her narrative voice and theological wisdom together in a blend of beautiful, accessible writing that will challenge and expose our hearts. The book is split into four sections, exploring the paradoxes of the incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament—effectively tracing the paradoxes of the entire Biblical narrative while addressing the aches and longings of our culture. Michel writes with a graceful honesty that invites the reader to explore the brokenness of their own heart as well as to the difficult, but worthy way of Jesus.
I would recommend this book to both men and women tired of pat answers and either/or divisions within their faith conversations. For book groups looking for challenging material packaged in a smooth, engaging read, Surprised by Paradox is ideal.
Jen Pollock Michel again brings her narrative voice and theological wisdom together in a blend of beautiful, accessible writing that will challenge and expose our hearts. The book is split into four sections, exploring the paradoxes of the incarnation, kingdom, grace, and lament—effectively tracing the paradoxes of the entire Biblical narrative while addressing the aches and longings of our culture. Michel writes with a graceful honesty that invites the reader to explore the brokenness of their own heart as well as to the difficult, but worthy way of Jesus.
I would recommend this book to both men and women tired of pat answers and either/or divisions within their faith conversations. For book groups looking for challenging material packaged in a smooth, engaging read, Surprised by Paradox is ideal.
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