Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
By the grace of God, every Human Being, at the proper time, that is, ""in God's timing,"" can become a Christian, irrespective of ethnicity, race, or gender (male or female); because ""becoming a Christian"" means ""a spiritual transformation"" from within our inner-being, as we are ""born anew"" in the spirit when we accept the loving sacrifice of Christ as atonement for our sins and believe in His resurrection from the dead as the empowering act of love that guides our present lives as well as our lives in the world to come. Christianity is the only religion that imparts a spiritual rebirth or transformation to the Human Being without regard to ethnicity, race, or gender (whether male or female). We are all equal from the womb to the tomb; but we are not apes in the jungle We are ""spirit-beings"" temporarily indwelling a mortal bodily vessel, until that time we return to the very living original Source whence we came: To our Heavenly Inheritance, as prophesied, promised, and fulfilled in Christ Jesus by God our loving Creator and heavenly Father God's living Word of Truth, Life, Peace, Justice, Love and Liberty that came down to us from people, Human Beings like us, who wrote it as ""moved"" and ""inspired"" by God's Holy Spirit, through our only Savior, God, King of kings and Lord of lords, The living ""Word of God made flesh"" for Humanity whose name is: Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). "". . . the best introduction in English to this important theologian's life and work."" --Matthew L. Becker, Valparaiso University "". . . rich with illuminating insights for those who seek to understand one of the most significant theologians of the last century."" --John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary "". . . Grassl's fine study sets an important benchmark for future work."" --Philip G. Ziegler, University of Aberdeen "". . . Grassl has provided a comprehensive and profound perspective on this amazing, durable and complex pastor and theologian who still has so much to say to us today."" --Daryl McCarthy, Director, European Academic Network and Cambridge Scholars Network Fabian F. Grassl has studied theology and philosophy in the United States, Northern Ireland, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, where he is currently conducting research at the International Academy of Philosophy (www.iap.li). Originally from the Bavarian Forest, Germany, he is happily married to Anja and thankful father of three girls. His personal website is www.fabiangrassl.org.
Synopsis
My theological work was always only a superstructure placed upon the experiences and sufferings of my life . . . --Helmut Thielicke Thielicke's story is one of extraordinary circumstances. Especially as a young man, living through Germany's darkest hour, he was time and again put on the brink of death by fatal sickness, Nazi oppression, and war. These experiences left an indelible mark on his worldview. In this thoroughly researched study, Fabian F. Grassl takes a fresh and original look at Thielicke's turbulent life through the specific lens of suffering and death. He paints an intimate portrait of a boundary rider whose theology uniquely developed in the face of death. As a result, new light is cast on one of the outstanding theologians, ethicists, and preachers of the twentieth century. The reader is invited to explore a world of thought decidedly shaped by the eschatological existence of an intriguing personality; a flawed human being like the rest of us yet endowed with a fascinating theological prowess, taking his stand amongst Germany's major historical upheavals of the last centenary.