Synopsis
Nouwen opens with a description of “nuclear man,” the modern man who is forced to see that mankind's creative powers have reached a point where they hold the potential for imminent self-destruction. Nuclear man is further characterized by a historical dislocation, a fragmented ideology, and a search for immortality. Though originally intended to portray the youth coming of age at the time of the book's first publication in 1972, it is perhaps an even more accurate representation of the generations from that time forward.
The succeeding chapters share insights for ministry to the rootless and hopeless, emphasizing the necessity for one who would minister to others to first open himself up to participate fully in the suffering of those he is attempting to help and to share freely the compassion born of his own similar struggles.
The final chapter further explores the wounds of the minister and the grace by which they may become sources of healing to others. In the author's words, “A Christian community is therefore a healing community not because wounds are cured and pains are alleviated, but because wounds and pains become openings or occasions for a new vision. Mutual confession then becomes a mutual deepening of hope, and sharing weakness becomes a reminder to one and all of the coming strength.”
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