The Transfiguration of Christ - by Patrick Schreiner (Paperback)

About the Book

This book challenges reductive modern readings of the transfiguration and shows how the mountain scene is not only about Jesus's glory as man but about his glory as God.

Book Synopsis

Christianity Today 2025 Award of Merit (Biblical Studies)

"Makes welcome strides in recentering the glory revealed in Jesus's transfiguration."-- Christianity Today

All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of Jesus's transfiguration. Yet there has been surprisingly little written about this key event, and many readers struggle to understand its significance and place in redemptive history, let alone how it might be applied.

Here, Patrick Schreiner provides a clear and accessible study of the transfiguration with an eye toward its theological significance and practical application. Namely, this event points to Jesus's double sonship, revealing the preexistent glory of the eternal Son and the future glory of the suffering Messianic Son. Further, the transfiguration points to Christians' own formation and transfiguration. Schreiner traces the transfiguration theme through Scripture and employs hermeneutical, trinitarian, and christological categories to assist his exegesis, thus challenging modern readings.

This enlightening study will be of interest to students, pastors, and serious lay readers.

From the Back Cover

"A contribution to Christology that is as edifying as it is scholarly"

This book challenges reductive modern readings of the transfiguration and shows how the mountain scene is not only about Jesus's glory as man but about his glory as God.

"Schreiner brilliantly rescues the transfiguration from its undeserved obscurity and second-class status in both biblical studies and dogmatic theology alike. Here is a contribution to Christology that is as edifying as it is scholarly."
--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Pondered as an isolated event, the transfiguration makes very little sense to us. Schreiner has learned the secret: don't isolate it, but instead read it as having elements of both epiphany and apotheosis, preexistence and consummation, eternal sonship and messianic sonship. A spirited and energetic introduction to this neglected mystery of the life of Jesus."
--Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors College, Biola University

"The reason this is such an important book is not simply that it is an incredibly insightful treatment of an overlooked aspect of Jesus's life (which it is) but because it demonstrates how the transfiguration deeply enriches our understanding of who Jesus is and who we are in him. This wonderful book will open your eyes to the glory of the Lord Jesus and the glory we will one day share with him."
--Peter Orr, Moore Theological College

"Christ's transfiguration offers a breadth of theological and exegetical potential. Schreiner helps to unlock this potential by drawing out the transfiguration's canonical, christological, and churchly significance. This primer is sure to benefit many."
--Brandon D. Smith, Oklahoma Baptist University; co-founder, Center for Baptist Renewal

"Jesus's transfiguration is a fountain of rich theology and a wellspring of joyous hope for contemplation. Schreiner excavates treasures of glory, blessing the church with a sure guide to this momentous and oft-neglected event in the life of our Lord."
--L. Michael Morales, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

"This fine contribution encourages us to gaze anew upon Jesus's glory on the mountain. If you've ignored the transfiguration, you'll do so no longer. If you've loved the transfiguration, you'll come to love it still more."
--Michael Kibbe, Great Northern University

About the Author

Patrick Schreiner (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also an elder at Emmaus Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of numerous books, including Matthew, Disciple and Scribe, a commentary on Acts, The Ascension of Christ, The Visual World, Political Gospel, and The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross.