Transfiguration and Hope: A Conversation across Time and Space

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.