In Psalm 116:9, the author writes, “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life by Eugene Peterson (NavPress, 2006, ISBN 1-57683-929-X) explores the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection and the Christian spiritual formation by resurrection, in response to an increasingly accommodating church and secularized version in the broader culture. Peterson focuses readers on three areas of life—wonder, meals and friends—that are to be anchored in one of the Ten Commandments (Sabbath keeping) and two of the church’s Sacraments (communion and baptism), in order to remind us of the wonder of God’s presence and workings in our lives; recall the importance of “breaking bread” together; and recover our identities through a company of friends.

Peterson begins by asserting that the workplace is the primary location for spiritual formation by resurrection, and that keeping the Sabbath—as a detachment—is the primary way to cultivate wonder in the workplace. Secondly, the preparation, serving and eating of ordinary meals are formational for living the resurrection, while the Lord’s Supper is the sacramental focal practice. Lastly, the company of ordinary resurrection friends helps to insure spiritual formation through the focal act of holy baptism—where people are named and known in the context of Christ-like community.

Peterson’s words are biblical and refreshing. Living the Resurrection would be a great book to encourage, if not revive, those commissioned to ministry—which is all of us—even as it serves as a reminder of the “who” and “why” behind the “what” and “how” of ministry life—something all of us can afford to hear and heed.

—Doug West

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