God Is Not Fair, Thank God!: Biblical Paradox in the Life and Worship of the Parish

Brief Description: Life is not fair. What does this reality imply about the nature of God and the destiny of human beings? In this engaging book, Thompson asserts that "fairness" is not an expectation of the faithful within the Judeo-Christian Scriptures. Biblical narrative discloses the mystery of a paradoxical deity that indwells with the suffering of creation and thereby provides a mercy that exceeds the evasive goal of fairness. The process of healing and redemption of this cracked creation occurs through the tears and suffering of the biblical God whose authentic power is revealed within divine vulnerability and weakness. The Jesus of history truly manifested the fullness of this paradoxical God, for he disclosed the richness of the divine Being by emptying himself and taking the form of a redemptive servant. When the church grasps for power and control, avoids compassionate and costly ministries among the poor and powerless, and renders primary focus upon gaining heavenly rewards, it rejects its Christ-centered mission, relinquishes its paradoxical purpose, and ceases to strive toward becoming an extension of the incarnation. Thompson explores various paradoxical facets of each person of the Trinity and richly illustrates with stories from his vast experience as a parish theologian. Table of Contents: Introduction: Pondering a Pastor's Pilgrimage -- Part I. Paradox and the Doctrine of God -- 1. God Is Not Fair, Thank God! -- 2. The Wise Foolishness of God -- 3. Divine Presence During the Eclipse of God -- 4. The Good Thing about Bad News -- 5. Fear of A Loving God -- 6. Healed by God's Wounds -- 7. The Tenderness of God's Tough Judgment -- 8. Comforted by God's Tears -- 9. Chosen by Rejection -- 10. Paradox and the Mathematics of Mystery -- Part II. Paradox and Christology -- 11. The Blessing of Misfortune -- 12. The Resilient Power of Failure -- 13. Christ as Servant Leader -- 14. Emptied to Be Filled -- 15. The Sacrament of Jesus' Suffering -- 16. The Sword of Peace -- 17. King Upon a Cross -- 18. Starting to Live by Stopping for Death -- 19. Resisting Resurrection -- 20. In Christ the Future Is Present -- Part III. Paradox and the Holy Spirit as an Extension of the Incarnation -- 21. Ship of Fools -- 22. Less Is More -- 23. Being Alone Together -- 24. The Paradox of Church History -- 25. The Urgency of Patience -- 26. Winning by Losing -- 27. Good for Nothing -- 28. A Royal Waste of Time -- 29. Common Nobility -- 30. One God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity -- Bibliography -- Subject Index -- Scripture Index. Publisher Marketing: Description: Life is not fair. What does this reality imply about the nature of God and the destiny of human beings? In this engaging book, Thompson asserts that "fairness" is not an expectation of the faithful within the Judeo-Christian Scriptures. Biblical narrative discloses the mystery of a paradoxical deity that indwells with the suffering of creation and thereby provides a mercy that exceeds the evasive goal of fairness. The process of healing and redemption of this cracked creation occurs through the tears and suffering of the biblical God whose authentic power is revealed within divine vulnerability and weakness. The Jesus of history truly manifested the fullness of this paradoxical God, for he disclosed the richness of the divine Being by emptying himself and taking the form of a redemptive servant. When the church grasps for power and control, avoids compassionate and costly ministries among the poor and powerless, and renders primary focus upon gaining heavenly rewards, it rejects its Christ-centered mission, relinquishes its paradoxical purpose, and ceases to strive toward becoming an extension of the incarnation. Thompson explores various paradoxical facets of each person of the Trinity and richly illustrates with stories from his vast experience as a parish theologian.

Contributor Bio:  Thompson, George E George E. Thompson, a graduate of Pfeiffer University and Duke Divinity School, served as a United Methodist pastor for over four decades in rural, small-town, campus communities, and urban centers of western North Carolina. He was a contributing editor for Pulpit Digest, a trustee chair of Pfeiffer University, and superintendent of the Charlotte District. Currently he lives in Waynesville, near Lake Junaluska, and is active as a writer, teacher, speaker, community volunteer, husband, and grandfather.