Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation by Peter Goodwin Heltzel

Part of the Prophetic Christianity Series created by the William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Peter Heltzel’s latest book, Resurrection City:   A Theology of Improvisation is a book written for those looking to go beyond the current solutions for injustice.  Borrowing from both civil rights and jazz music, the title reflects Heltzel’s thesis that it is time for Christians to find a new way of creating Resurrection.  We can take lessons from history, philosophy, religion and music but like jazz; the best will only come when we as Christians improvise.  Heltzel calls racism, “America’s original sin”.   He lays his premise out in his first chapter by discussing the Resurrection City of the Poor People’s Campaign of 1968 and then moves into the connection between this movement, heaven and music.  Hetzel calls us to imagine a future full of love, justice and shalom, a resurrection city.  He then takes us back in time taking us through the prophets and the preaching of justice throughout the Old Testament. The book then moves into an entire chapter describing Jesus as an improviser.  Heltzel lays out scripture demonstrating how Jesus introduced a new song; a new world order based on love. We are called not to just wait passively but to act continuing the struggle for Resurrection until Christ comes again.   From there Heltzel sharply reminds us of how slavery became embedded as an American Institution how even Thomas Jefferson could not bring himself to free his slaves.  However, since the doctrine of equality by creation was written into our Bill of Rights; it would become the battle of cry of abolitionists and those part of the shadow side of the American Empire.   Heltzel’s discussion quickly turns to the prophetic ministries of Sojourner Truth, Howard Thurman and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Yet as Heltzel points we can learn from these great prophets and their work but the time has come for something new.   The last two chapters provide us with inspiration and challenge for our imaginations with Heltzel sharing of his own Occupy experiences and connecting love with jazz.   Heltzel’s genius is his challenge to improvise and go outside of the box.  We need to listen and to love; it is not about creating new institutions but liberating old ones and forming new relationships.  Like jazz, sharing the Resurrection story is not meant to be said in the same fashion repeatedly.  Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation confronts the issues of injustice at the deepest level.   This book is not for the fainted-hearted or the shallow thinker but for those who desire to hear something new spoken loud and clear.   Heltzel knows his history, his scripture, his politics and theology; Resurrection City: A Theology of Improvisation speaks to the hear t of the matter both imaginatively and intellectually.  It is a must read for the those working for Resurrection City to not just be a future dream but a present here and now. 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.