Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom

by Albert Nolan

Religious softcover

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion, Cultural, Social Justice, Faith

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Simão Coimbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but somewhat repetitive

[Gints Janelsins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story about the spiritual path of Jesus and supports it with references to other Christian mystics, who have shared their personal experience of their spiritual path and relationship with God.

I have never been religious. However, the quest for spiritual fulfillment and search for my purpose in this life, on this planet, has always been the strongest undercurrent of my life.

Since the early teenage years, when i first came into contact with Christian religion, the life and teaching of Jesus has always fascinated me, but never until this day I have found a source that could sufficiently clearly, unbiased, free from religious agenda or dogmatism, convey the essence of the story in a language and narrative that would fit with the context of my life, living in our modern times. Albert Nolan through this book has managed to do exactly that and more.

[Mary Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The underlying theme is open-ended: "We are invited to taste the freedom that was Jesus', the freedom that was founded on his utter trust in his abba." Much of my book reading these days happens because of a deadline or commitment of some sort. I read this as part of a JustFaith group on Engaging Spirituality. Reading this book in common created a good gathering ground, setting the terms and structure for a group. "Yes, this is how we talk about God, this is our experience." There were only a few new ideas here for me, but the text did an excellent job of gathering and stating simply what I believe within a community of Catholics.
I appreciated that the author is not American. One could feel that. (Or is it just that I was reading this during the presidential election of the fall, 2016?)

[David Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I saw my wife reading it, and I'm always interested in what she's reading. Though I'm officially a Buddhist, I'm actually interested in all religion and spirituality, and this was a book about Jesus and Christianity that I could fully accept, an outlook which I very much admire. Nolan is a Dominican in South Africa, and wrote an earlier book about Jesus as a political figure. This book is about his spirituality.

[Cate Tedford]

Surprisingly refreshing! I’m usually scared of books with ‘Jesus’ in the title lol. Read for my Engaging Spirituality JustFaith group on mystery and suffering.

I appreciate Nolan’s rejection of the unfortunately common idea of freedom as unfettered individualism and instead framing this rather fickle word/idea as detachment from the ego and submission to the common good. Go off, king!

“If the people who have been socially liberated are not also liberated from their own egos, their personal selfishness, they are in danger of repeating – in another form – the very oppression and cruelty against which they have fought.”

“The present moment that we need to become aware of in silence and solitude is the present moment of today’s world. We read the signs of our times in order to live in the here and now of our unfolding universe – which is the only place where God can be found.”

“A mystery can be more real to me than any of the things or people I think I know well. Experienced as a mystery, God can be more real and more present to me than anything I can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.”

[Kevin Marler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I went back and read through my highlights and notes before rating this book. I didn’t love it as much as Nolan’s Jesus Before Christianity but after looking it over again, there’s still a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from this book. I agree with a few others, it can get a little repetitive at times…but there’s enough in it to make it a worthwhile read.

[Alberto Valecillos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me parece una buena síntesis de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia y de la espiritualidad contemporánea. Sí hay algunas afirmaciones ha matizar desde la teología y las sagradas escrituras, pero no dejan de ser una acercamiento personal y enriquecedor.

[Dana Kraft · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas and thoughts in here especially toward the end when he gets to the idea of “freedom.” Favorite quote is “What is wrong here is not the desire for freedom but the mistaken idea that our egos can set us free” p. 183

[Rinie Altena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very 'up-to-date' christian spirituality with a very 'wide' view...

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert Nolan is a Dominican priest from South Africa who writes, ‘My aim is to look … at what Jesus might mean to you and me and our contemporaries in the twenty-first century. This is a book about spirituality, Jesus’ own spirituality, which I have chosen to call a spirituality of radical freedom’.

The book is in 4 parts. The first part examines the nature of our postmodern society, identifying a number of defining signs of the times – a hunger for spirituality, a crisis of individualism, a grassroots movement which seeks to overcome global suffering and a new understanding of the uncertainties built into the physical world. It is at such a time as this, Nolan suggests, that we are most in need of a rediscovery of the spiritual life, and that Jesus had a spirituality of his own from which we can learn.

In part two he looks at Jesus’ revolutionary outlook on the world into which he was born, at his role as prophet and mystic, and at his holistic ministry of healing. His conclusion is that Jesus was absolutely free: free to contradict the assumptions, customs and norms of his society; free to love without reserve; free to be fearless, to give up his life. Jesus’ freedom knew no limits because his trust in God knew no limits.

Bearing this in mind, Nolan moves on to look at our own need for personal transformation. He focuses on Jesus’ need for silence and solitude, on his insistence that we should know ourselves, on his appreciation of thankfulness, on the injunction that we should be childlike, and on the need we have to let go. Speaking about our busyness and possessiveness and the effect they have upon our souls, he suggests that freedom is to be found in detachment, even from God.

The final part of the book is devoted to the subject of oneness – with God, with ourselves, with other people, and with the universe. And it is here that Nolan makes some challenging observations about modern spirituality which could be looked at positively in a retreat or small reading/discussion group.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really like nolan's writing style, and his topics. he hands out radical ideas about jesus and faith with intelligence and grace, and without the bitterness that can so often be present in let's-take-another-look-at-jesus's-message writing. even his bit about the new cosmology didn't make me roll my eyes. this was my last book for justfaith -- and though i'm glad to take a break from spiritual/churchy reading for a bit, this was one of my favorites from the year and, once again, led to great discussions.

i wish he had a different cover though -- i felt awkward reading this one on the bus.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read by Albert Nolan. The other was Christ Before Christianity. I gave it a 5. I would give this one a 4 1/2 only because the last 1/4 of the book became too philosophical/theological. In my opinion, the great thing about these two books is they update the Catholic faith by paradoxically going back to what Christ seemingly intended to convey to His followers. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your perspective, the "Catholic Church" polluted Christ's original message, most notably in the areas of authority, sexuality and the role of women. Nolan gives hope for the future of Catholic Church if it can become more Christian.

[Duane]

Our society and especially the global economic system needs to move beyond the narrow self-love of the ego and move on to a mature, positive love of all through the active promotion of peace, compassion and justice. We are now on that path.

Science, in physics, has reached into the depths of mystery.
Consciousness is a pure datum and cannot by analysed. You will not find consciousness in the brain. It transcends the material brain function.

Evolution, according to scientists, was not random, or a slavishly step by step process by design, but rather, a creative process, as a sequence of transformations, some of them by great leaps. God is more like an artist than a machine maker.

[Amos Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. You can tell that Nolan had poured over the manuscript over and over again. Each paragraph has a purpose. There is no fluff. You can tell that Nolan puts great care and time and intention into his writing. He has only written two books and both are of exceptional quality. In a world of too much loose and cluttered writing, Nolan's refined craft is a breath of fresh air.

Albert Nolan is one of those few writers who is true to the ancient texts and true to the challenges of our postmodern world.

Highly recommended!

-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations of this book, but they were just not realized. It was fine in terms of basic Christian theology and spirituality; but I found it to be rather simplistic and not extremely original. Not bad as a reminder of certain core elements of a modern, progressive Christian spirituality; but there was very little here that I hadn't encountered before, explained in more original and creative ways.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Nolan's insights on Christian spirituality is very radical and bold. For he questions our complacency and oftentimes apathetic and naive attitude toward creation, toward our fellow creatures and most importantly to the Creator.

[John Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed unbalanced. Much of the introductory sections were drawn out while the conclusions were rushed. Not a book I would recommend. My wife however--though largely agreeing--says Nolan's first book was far, far superior.

[Lillian Raphael]

I find this book very interesting from the title. Jesus is the one who offers radical freedom to the entire humanity. I want to read this book. I just went through the revieus and articles etc. It is worth reading.

[Rheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who are serious in following Jesus and the spirituality that he lives with, -this reading is a must. It brought me deeper in my understanding of who Jesus is and the life he has exemplified for us to follow.

[Lee F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the reality...

[Ckrippner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must~

[Wiji Suprayogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

a must ...

[Ann Yeong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nolan makes some incisive observations about the signs of the times and raises some excellent points. Worth a read.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything in this book has been said better somewhere else by another theologian.

[S. Paterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A cesspool of new age/liberal heresy.

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Nolan's earlier book, Jesus Before Christianity, and so had high expectations for this one that did not pan out. He takes a rather conventional view toward Jesus with some insight from recent literature on the historical context of Jesus (from his earlier book). However, his application for today did not seem all that new or compelling. I guess I had heard it all before

[Leani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating approach, very different from typical "popular Christianity" books. The 6 chapters I had access too were interesting and challenging. Even more interesting was recognising the old tradition in which Nolan has his roots, cast in a postmodern guise (which he might deny?)