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Citation: Chapman, Mark. Review of Metamorpha: Jesus as a Way of Life, 
by Kyle Strobel. Christian Week 22, no. 5 (2008): 10.

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Chapman, Mark. Review of Metamorpha: Jesus as a Way of Life, by Kyle Strobel.
Christian Week 22, no. 5 (2008): 10.



Book Reviews

Copy God, not secular society

METAMORPHA: JESUS
AS A WAY OF LIFE
BY KYLE STROBEL

GRAND RAPIDS, Ml:
BAKER ROOKS, 2007

CDN $15 272 PAGES
ISBN: 0-8010-6773-1

REVIEWED BY MARK D.
CHAPMAN

Metamorpha is a book about how people change. For author Kyle Strobel, 
this process of transformation is not the accu-
mulation of more knowledge but a journey with
the living God. Strobel is concerned that we have
adopted a worldview based on enlightenment cul-
ture rather than the witness of the Spirit, the Word
and the community. As a result, we try to serve God
through the force of our own will by implementing
more and better programs and organizations.

	The first section of the book explores why
change is necessary and contrasts a static, data-
driven life with a developmental, Christ-driven life.
Strobel then discusses the Spirit, the Bible and the
community to explore their roles as means for
growth in relationship with Christ. He argues for
seeing the Bible as history, shepherd and friend
rather than as data and describes the Spirit as the
agent of change.

	He describes community as a means to “greater
knowledge, trust, and love of God” and calls for a
journey of continuous dependence on God.

	The last section develops his argument through
discussions of how biblical wisdom, the model of
Jesus and the process of becoming a disciple of
Christ contribute to this journey of dependence.
Strobel challenges dependence on ourselves and
our programs and our tendency to become dis-
ciples of people rather than disciples of Christ.

	In the last chapter Strobel notes that we have
made religion into something we do that largely
uses methods copied from secular society. In
contrast, he argues that we need to accomplish
God's purposes in God's ways. It is in knowing
God, argues Strobel, that we become like God and
only in this way can we change the world.

Clear pointer

Strobel's passion for setting aside individualis-
tic, enlightenment-based worldviews in favour of
entering into God's story is a clear pointer to the
life of transformation so vital to today's Church.
While there is little new here, Strobel is a very
readable and accessible author who presents the
insights of both classic (Barth, Tozer) and more
contemporary authors (Newbigin, Wright) in a
relevant and organized way

	Minor quibbles with the book include Strobel's
confusing use of some terminology (e.g., decon-
struction) and the limited nature of his illustra-
tions and experiences (which he admits). Strobel
addresses an overemphasis on rationalism over
other ways of knowing. However, the book would
benefit from a brief discussion of the role of the life
of the mind in the journey of dependence on God.

	Contemporary churches struggle with the ten-
sion between being program oriented and being
relationship oriented or between being modem
and being emergent. Strobel challenges these
approaches as they often focus on something other
than the way of Christ. This misdirected focus can
lead them to see life through a cultural rather than
a biblical lens.

	Strobel's book, and the excellent website which
accompanies it, provide resources for seeing life
through a Christ-centered lens. It is highly recom-
mended for churches or individuals grappling
with how to live the Christ life in contemporary
culture.

Mark D. Chapman is associate director of Ambrose
Seminary—Toronto.


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