Christian Hope among Rivals

“Michael Zeigler’s insightful text rightly returns us to the immense power of life-organizing stories. The Christian description of reality continues to mold and shape our individual narratives, imbibing them with meaning found in the cross and empty tomb—the place where the essential conflict between God, sin, and humanity is resolved. Ever gracious, Christian Hope Among Rivals invites Christians into meaningful conversation with other traditions without surrendering the profound hope that is offered in Christ alone.”


—Joel Oesch, Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine





“Michael Zeigler ventures into the thickets of our everyday confrontations with a variety of forms of evil and of the various solutions offered by contemporary proposals for explaining our dilemmas. In this volume he demonstrates that an understanding of how we fit into the grand narrative of God’s and humankind’s unfolding history provides the only sure-footed hope—that which is found in Christ and his death and resurrection—for finding one’s way through the challenges of our age. This is a work of exciting theological experimentation and a valuable aid for daily life and for spiritual, pastoral care of self and others.”


—Robert Kolb, Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri





“Zeigler’s significant work offers a rigorously argued and important update of narrative theology and compelling intellectual history of theodicy and evil. Zeigler’s pastoral voice appears occasionally as he deftly integrates speech act and narrative theory alongside theology and philosophy, culminating in a clear conception of Christian hope. Even readers disinclined to share his conviction will find a very worthwhile, thoughtful, and compelling analysis of hope and evil well-suited for our twenty-first-century world. 


—Daniel Boscaljon, author of Vigilant Faith: Passionate Agnosticism in a Secular World





“Zeigler models honest engagement in an environment where Christian thought is no longer the starting point for dialogue. By opening us up to rival ‘life-organizing stories,’ he demonstrates clearly what makes Christian hope truly unique: Jesus. With an academic mind and a pastoral heart, Zeigler offers not only a new way of thinking about Christian hope, but a new way of thinking about theology. Read this book.”


—Justin Rossow, Senior Pastor, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan





“Christian Hope Among Rivals invites its reader—Christian or otherwise—to self-understanding and respectful dialogue. Zeigler shows that every attempt to ‘make sense’ of the world that we all know results in a life-organizing story that offers hope. Zeigler helps Christians readers find emphatic contact with others who do not trust in the Triune God. He encourages Christians to live in the hope rooted in Jesus—crucified, risen, and returning—even as we invite others to embrace Jesus and become part of the story enacted and promised through him.”


—Jeff Gibbs, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri