The Gift of Thorns
Jesus, the Flesh, and the War for Our Wants
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Zondervan Reflective (Zondervan)
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
Today's follower of Jesus exists at a moment in history when our desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against us by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. "Follow your heart" and "You do you" has become our moment's mantras. The result, for too many, is feeling torn asunder by the raging desires within. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires which bring life and freedom and lead to Christ? The Gift of Thorns, by A. J. Swoboda, addresses these questions and more. The path forward is anything but easy. It is assumed by too many in the Christian community that desire is in and of itself bad or dangerous and must be crucified for simply existing. Desire is demonic for some. But, for many others--particularly in the secular West--desire must be followed through and through. This side deifies desire. But these two options sidestep the joy in the great challenge of finding God in our desire. There exists an ancient and sacred way that is forged around the life, wisdom, and power of Jesus and his Spirit. In short, what makes a follower of Christ is not whether or not we have desires. Rather, it is what we do with the desires we have. Near the end of the story of humanity's rebellion, the theme of "thorns" is introduced. As readers will discover, the thematic repetition of "thorns" pops up over and over throughout the Bible. What are the thorns for? They will be, in the words of God, "for you" (Gen. 3:18). The premise of this book is that a world where we do not get all that we want is, well, the greatest gift ever.
Endorsements (10)
“Praise for The Gift of Thorns As a human with a cacophony of desires clamoring for attention all the time, I am grateful for the words within this book by A. J. Swoboda. Swoboda not only helps us face the mirror of our own desires—and the thorniness of them at times—he comforts us with the One who is in the work of redeeming each and every one of them.”
“sanctified by Christ. Much like St. Augustine, Swoboda’s theological reflections are his Confessions. Take it up and read with delight.”
“In The Gift of Thorns, A. J. Swoboda has comprehensively argued a faithful theology of desire, and it is prophetic, pastoral urgency that ignites his words. On every page, Swoboda invites readers to believe the truly good news of Jesus. “The flesh entices us into short-term enjoyment and relief that leads to long-term anxiety and death,” he writes. “The Spirit invites us into painful faithfulness in the present leading to long-term life and peace.” May many read his words—and follow this narrow road of desire into the fullness of joy.”
“In a world and culture that encourages emotions to be what shapes thinking and belief, more than ever do we need to pause and look at whether they are aligned with Jesus and truth. The Gift of Thorns gives us guidance to align our passions and thinking with the mind and heart of Jesus.”
“journey of homesickness,” as the author describes the human life, A. J. Swoboda offers an examination of what motivates us at our core and asks the elemental question: Shall we surrender to our self-centered wants or to the One who, out of his own desire, created desire within us?”
“practical theology of desire that is wide ranging and easily accessible. He avoids unhelpful extremes that either deify or demonize human longings. In so doing, he draws us toward the sinless and empathetic King, who longed for us to the point of bearing thorns.”
“With deep insights from Scripture and honest personal inquiry, this book offers wisdom and hope for the longings and thorns we encounter. A thought-provoking understanding of how our relationship with desire shapes our very essence.”
“In a day and age where every podcast and social platform has an opinion about my desires, this book stands as a prophetic voice amid the chaos. The Gift of Thorns is going to help aid Jesus followers not only to name their desires but to know what to do with them.”
“in order to be born again into the resurrection life. This book has a masterful grasp of the mystery not just of desire but of the gospel, which is the Christ of Gethsemane who prays, “not my will but yours be done,” and him crucified.”
“Through a wise, carefully researched, theologically sophisticated, and pastoral exploration of how our desires shape us, A. J. helps us answer Jesus’ age-old question, “What do you want?” I welcome his voice as a trustworthy guide because I have seen the desires of his heart produce good fruit in life.”
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