Christ and the Meaning of Life: A Book of Sermons and Meditations (Thielicke Library)

In this series of sermons, first delivered over radio and television in Germany during the 1960s, Helmut Thielicke wrote about the true meaning of Christian festivals such as Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost. He saw deeply into the mystery, despair, and confusion of life in his time and spoke a truly prophetic word to Christians that still resonates today. As Thielicke meditates on Christmas, the reader will understand anew how light shines in the darkness of this world. As he preaches about Christ’s suffering on the cross, humanity’s suffering is given meaning; and, in talking of death, he gives us encouragement to live in hope. Christ and the Meaning of Life explores subjects as far apart from each other – and as close together – as rehabilitation and retribution, beauty and terror, and love and brutality. Here Thielicke faces the fearsome questions that plague humanity and brings the Christian Gospel to bear on each of them with a clarity and persuasiveness that echoes in these troubled times.Table of ContentsTranslator's Note1. World History and World Judgement2. Jesus Christ in the Front-Line Trenches3. The Reflection in a Dark Glass4. The Festival of Light5. Time and Eternity6. Death and Life7. The Supreme Love8. The Cry of Dereliction9. An Easter Stroll10. Living by the Resurrection11. The Miracle of the Spirit12. The Parable of the Treasure in the Field and the Pearl of Great Price13. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant14. The Parable of the Importunate Widow15. The Meaning of Life16. Our Prayers17. Who am I?18. How to Love Your Neighbour19. What Does It Mean to Trust20. Faith and the Philosophies21. On Being Afraid of Life22. Is Technology Diabolical?23. Our Freedom and Our Free Time24. The Origin of Man25. What Does It Mean to Take God Seriously?26. The Animals27. Theme Number 1 in Our Preaching28. The Joy of Repentance