Michael Parsons is Director of Postgraduate Study and Research at Vose Seminary of Western Australia. He is the author of Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives (2004), Reformation Marriage (2005), and Calvin's Preaching on the Prophet Micah (2006). He is also the editor of Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005). David J. Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies and a lecturer in Hebrew Bible at Vose Seminary of Western Australia. He has written about the relevance of lament psalms for worship and pastoral care in Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005) and is currently examining the relationship between praying, lament psalms and coping with stress.

• Foreword by Derek Tidball (London School of Theology)PrefaceList of ContributorsAbbreviations1. New wings for a molting eagle: Isaiah's bold message to exiled Israel / David Wyn Williams2. A prophet in motion: The counterpoint of speaking, acting and reflecting / David J. Cohen3. The 'destabilized' God: Community without walls / Merryl Blair4. Obi-wan Kenobi, Neo, and Mark's narrative Christology / Michael F. Bird5. The scandal of weak leadership: Paul's defense of ministry / Evelyn Ashley6. The powerless leader: A biblical ideal or a contradiction in terms? / Mary Evans7. Martin Luther: A theologian forged by trial / Mark D. Thompson8. John Calvin on the strength of our weak praying / Michael Parsons9. In the power of the Lamb - and of the Lion Power and weakness in the early theology of Karl Barth / Michael O'Neil10. God's vulnerable strength: omnipotence as love / Clark Pinnock11. David and Foucault: Extreme violence and innocent suffering in a post-September 11 world / Brian Holliday12. Turning Teflon into Velcro: Making words stick in an image-based culture / Stephen McAlpine13. Preaching in weakness: Reflections on the self in preaching / Brian S. Harris14. Strength in weakness: Developing this paradox through preaching and leading / Michael J. QuickeBibliography

This is a timely book that will repay much reflection. When there is so much overemphasis on power in a church that might seem, at times, to be trying to be upwardly mobile, this collection of essays quietly and undemonstratively suggests an alternative way of leadership and living that is, dare I say, closer to biblical example and more humbly dependent on the Holy Spirit. There is a wonderful coherence in this book that betrays the diverse backgrounds, churchmanship and specialisms of the writers, both pastors and theologians, and emphasizes the underlying truth that strength may be found in the midst of weakness.