Living into the Life of Jesus - by Klaus Issler (Paperback)

About the Book

In this foundational work of Christian formation, Klaus Issler derives insights from the life of Jesus in the Gospels to uncover the dynamics of becoming Christlike. You will discover how you can forge much deeper connections with Jesus so that his life begins to permeate your own character.

Book Synopsis

In this foundational work of Christian formation, Klaus Issler derives insights from the life of Jesus in the Gospels to uncover the dynamics of becoming Christlike. You will discover how you can forge much deeper connections with Jesus so that his life begins to permeate your own character.

Review Quotes

"As a pastor I am constantly seeking relevant and insightful books which stimulate not only my own personal growth but also provide an effective tool to help my church members develop the image of Christ in their lives. My criterion for such books is that they be biblically grounded with relevant application. Living into the Life of Jesus is one book that accomplishes that goal for me. Issler offers fresh and deep insights to familiar passages of Scripture. But this is not just an academic exercise. It will challenge your mind and also lead your heart into the practice of spiritual formation that is Christ-centered and empowered by the Spirit of God. This is an essential text for any pastor that seeks to form the character of Christ in his own life and the life of his church."

"If you want to be changed by following the way of Jesus, immerse yourself in these penetrating, well-thought-out observations of Jesus' life alongside practical guidance for living into that life yourself."

"In reading this book, it was a delight to again be in Dr. Issler's classroom under his tutelage. He inspires me to find fresh ways to live out my life and calling in Christ. He opens his own heart and shares it humbly with me. He is not afraid to challenge my thinking as well as my heart. I am grateful for his continuing influence on my life through the pages of this book."

"Klaus Issler has identified the key to authentic Christian living: It is a matter of both the heart and discipline. Get ready to drink from a fire hose emanating from the well of truth, the Bible. This book will put you to work and on the road to a deeper relationship with the Lord. The work is worth the investment. Issler combines theology, Scripture, real-life experience and assignments, all designed to sharpen your understanding and Christian walk."

"Klaus Issler's multifaceted approach to spiritual formation will be a reliable guide. . . . Living into the Life of Jesus bridges the delicate balance between rigorous scholarship and practical steps for application and life change."

"Our life and relationships in Christ simply work right when we live them out from the heart. Issler's scholarship and warmth show us how clearly and deeply Jesus' teachings lead us along that path."

"The desire to become more Christlike sometimes gets translated into a list of dos and don'ts which, quite frankly, can be more burdensome than joyful. In contrast, Klaus Issler draws from the teachings of Jesus to provide a fresh perspective on achieving genuine character change. Of particular interest to me is his emphasis on the redemptive potential of marketplace activity and personal wealth. With its generous use of 'prayer projects' and review questions, I believe this book has strong potential for use in classrooms and Bible studies."

"The formation of good character is the standing human problem, generation to generation, and it is the arena of perpetual human failure throughout history, up to today. The formation of Christian character in companionship with Christ is the verifiable solution to the standing problem and the constant failure. For many decades, Christian sources have not done well with character formation, if they have addressed it at all. Klaus Issler has carefully worked his way through the details of how Christian character formation reliably proceeds. He knows from personal experience and scholarly research how it works. He guides you in the path and enables you to extend what you have gained to others in desperate need around you. Living into the Life of Jesus is a vital resource for any individual or group looking for ways to realize the powerful outcomes of spiritual transformation manifestly presented in the pages of the New Testament."

"The more Christian books I read, the more disappointed I become. As well-intended as many of these authors are, too often their final product ends up selling out to the cultural norm of shallow anecdotal responses, overly simplistic solutions, little to no rigorously applied thought processes and mediocre integration of Scripture to their subject matter. Klaus Issler's book is about as opposite of the abovementioned deficiencies as I have read in a very long time. Living into the Life of Jesus was such a pleasure to read; I felt the author and I were having an ongoing discussion versus being preached to in 'black and white.' Throughout the book, Issler shares his struggles, his victories, but most importantly, his personal mistakes. In doing so, Klaus has written a book that I plan on sharing with many of my clients so they may understand, appreciate and be better equipped to meet the challenge of Ephesians 4:13 '[to attain] the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.'"

"This book is about learning to live like Jesus: to become more like him, to understand what it means to incorporate his way into our way, to know the heart and mind of Christ. Klaus Issler provides us a fresh and thoughtful perspective of what we can learn and apply from the life of Jesus."

About the Author

Klaus Issler (Ph.D., Michigan State) is professor of Christian education and theology in the doctoral program in educational studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. He is the author of Wasting Time with God.

Calvin Miller (1936-2012) was a professor at Beeson Divinity School. The beloved author of more than forty books, Miller was also well known as a poet, artist, novelist and speaker. His later works included Preaching (Baker), O Shepherd Where Art Thou? (Broadman Holman) and Conversations with Jesus (Harvest House). He summed up his rule of life in four words: "Time is a gift."