J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life

Don’t miss this book ! As I read Paul Miller’s description of the “J-Curve” I was stunned as he described something that I had always sensed was missing but could never quite understand. Now I can’t unsee it. The J-Curve is a path of entering into the suffering of Christ in order to understand his love for us and also to allow us to love others incarnationally, not just preach at them.Using the insights for which he is well known, Miller presents the “J-Curve” and shows how its parameters are created and defined by the ministry and life that was lived by Jesus and the Apostles, and how that framework provides a compelling roadmap to finally bring into focus those nagging questions that arise when we face adversity, pain and suffering. The J-Curve sets us clearly on a path that makes sense and in the process bulldozes legalism into the ditch where it belongs. Don’t miss chapters 8 and 9 !Consider unpacking and applying the following excerpt against what often passes for theology today:“If we don’t re-enact Jesus’s dying and rising, then justification by faith can become a feel good formula that gives us a positive self image. The Gospel turns in on itself and becomes one more thing to make us feel good about ourselves.”No feel good prosperity there. No smug legalism, just a clear focus on Jesus and the example of his life as it was illuminated in the writings of the Apostle Paul.Some people will pass right over these truths, or downplay them because they do not neatly fit into their constructs. I had to laugh at the reaction that some have already had to the book, because they actually prove the point of the book. One reviewer wrote “if you think Jesus needs you to suffer on his behalf you will like this book.” But this misses the point – Jesus doesn’t need us to go through suffering, it is his gift to us, so that by suffering and serving we can know him and learn to love more like him. If somebody wants to say that the Apostles didn’t emulate Christ and live the same J-Curve, then they will have missed the obvious truth of this book.This book is not an “easy” read, but it is accessible to a lay reader, which I really appreciate. Miller shares examples from his own life to illustrate his points, but he also has the courage to look at luminaries of the faith (as in Martin Luther and Mother Theresa!), and make suggestions many writers would never have had the courage to tackle, or if they did which would have come off as an attack. Instead, Miller comes along side their positions, almost like a life coach. As a member of a reformed denomination, this was most refreshing and infinitely useful.So, I’m going to re-read this book and try to take a few leaps of faith forward. I know that I will never unsee how I have to live a life that embraces suffering and service to others rather than lamenting how unfair it is that such a valuable servant such as myself is being mistreated.I heartily commend this book to you.

A Brief Review of The J-Curve by Paul E. MillerI am grateful for the clarification of my Christian experiences that Paul Miller’s The J-Curve has afforded me. The simple graphics in this book illuminated a way of looking at life that is biblical, helpful, and hopeful.The backbone of this 36-chapter work is excellent exposition of several passages in the epistles of Paul in the New Testament. If this sounds esoteric, rest assured it is not. Miller is readable, and his style makes the Bible understandable. Moreover, insights into the Roman world color the text.A number of features stand out.• Explanations about true love, about the flesh, and about what it means to be “in Christ”.• Some rationale for and comfort regarding personal suffering and injustice.• Insights into secular humanism in contrast to New Testament Christianity with comments about our modern fascination with feelings.• An amazing tribute to the author’s daughter, Ashley. It is a tear-jerker. Don’t miss it.• How it is living with a person with special needs.• Personal illustrations abound, most of which are delightful even if they are mundane.• Commentary on weaknesses and strengths of modern American churches, especially their fascination with celebrity pastors.• Solid statements of and critiques of Reformed theology and of modern evangelicalism.• Also good statements on Joni Erickson Tata and on Mother Teresa.• Some historical viewpoints, especially on Luther and “the Medieval church”.• A thorough topical index as well as a Scripture index. They work well in my Kindle edition.I recommend this book for any follower of Jesus as well as those who are at least curious about Him.

The most profound part of this book:The church’s J-curve:“Paul loses the narrative (he is slandered), which opens the door to suffering (he is beaten).The American church has also lost the narrative. Evangelicals don’t control the media, the schools, the universities, or entertainment: So the media regularly paints evangelicals as narrow, backward, reactionary, old-fashioned, and women-hating, while painting themselves as bright, open-minded, inclusive, accepting, and compassionate. The mob is screaming, "Away with them," We evangelicals are doing a lot of hand-wringing, wondering how we can regain the cultural narrative, but we can't. We've lost the map of the J-Curve orients us-we are on a corporate downward path that we don't control. The story of Jesus's dying and risingisn't just for us as individuals; it's for the church as a whole. That's his best gift. Knowing we are in a corporate death keeps us from fighting the wrong battles or focusing on wins and losses. It keeps us from returning to the macho Christianity of the past, where we are going to "Take the hill." We are going through a corporate humbling in which we need to relearn the basics of Christianity in new and fresh ways. Dying is the place of knowing. The story of Jesus's dying and rising isn't just for us as individuals; it's for the church as a whole.”“It’s possible that this corporate death we are entering will be so severe that the final resurrection for the church will be the return of the Lord Jesus.”As a Christian, I find myself grappling with the “escape hatch,” how do we as a church stop this catastrophic chain of events. Mostly for the sake of my young children, but it may be time to accept that humbling and dying may be the path of resurrection. Not accepting the path of the world, but rejecting it and accepting the path of suffering as Christ suffered. Maybe it’s time to start focusing on suffering well while supporting and encouraging fellow believers in their sufferings.This books is FANTASTIC! I highlighted way too much and I sent a copy to my family member and encouraged friends to read it as well. I LOVE THIS BOOK!