Instead of Death

by William Stringfellow

Paperback. Previous owner's name penned on ffep. Upper edge of text is slight worn. Cover is sunned and worn at edges and corners. Else good.

Genres: Religion, Theology

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Frank William Stringfellow (April 26, 1928 – March 2, 1985) was an American lay theologian. He was active mostly during the 1960s and 1970s.

Reviews

[James]

Modern in an older time, ahead of the curve, these words describe Instead of Death: New and Expanded Edition.

I wish I had read this earlier in my short life, a great critique of a variety of issues but the hardest hitting in my mind was him going after the economics of the Protestant work ethic.

[female cicero]

It's actually kind of insane how modern Springfellow is, i mean he talks about the rise and risk of automation in urban communities. However, what happens when the economy of death is no longer equal (has it ever been??)? Does the rich man fear/avoid death in the same way that a poor man does? is death not more present in the poor man's life than the rich man?

[Naum]

The original edition of this book is 50 years old (though this edition was edited by the author before his death in the 80's, and he retained most of it, and just added a few chapters). It's a short book (~112 pages) ostensibly aimed at young adults, but certainly not solely confined to that age group.

Remarkable how prescient and how on target Stringfellow is -- I'd recommend this title to all, except, even though it's not a long read (I finished it in a few hours), Stringfellow's writing is unique in that each sentence and paragraph packs an immense payload. But I pledge to you it it is well worth it -- and the sands of time have not diminished the luminous value one iota. The themes of Christian identity, the culture (and church) inability to properly deal with issues such as death, sexuality, marriage, loneliness, etc. still echo loudly in 2013.

This feels like reading a Biblical prophet translocated to the modern era.

[Jim]

William Stringfellow moves me to action in prayer as well as to meet the world's needs. He points out choices between true life and baubles, vain glory. The world and politics may be calling us to that ever more.

Brilliant.