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 This is Marcus Borgs first attempt at writing a theology book using fiction. Many fundalmentalists would say that all of Borg's work is fiction because of his very "liberal" approach to scripture, but his story is intriguing and realistic . Borg is part of the quest for the historical Jesus and this book really is a summation of his theology put into layperson's terms.
I have read most of Borg's theology books (I very much respect him as a historian) so there were no surprises in this novel. Borg, simply speaking, claims that most of the sayings of Jesus found in the gospel's were probably not said by Jesus, but accounts of what his followers wanted him to be perceived by others. Borg would also say that the miracles in scripture probably did not happen, but are metaphors or symbols that the reader needs to reflect and act upon. For example, when Jesus fed the mulititudes by multiplying fish and bread, that never really happened, but the point of the story is that everyone needs to be fed.
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 In his final book on spiritual theology, Eugene Peterson ends on a high note with "Practice Resurrection". In essence this book is a commentary on the book of Ephesians. Peterson brings the reader on a poetic journey through the pages of Paul's letter and transcends the historical data to a modern application for the church today.
This is a book about growing up. Not necessarily in an individualistic spiritual sense, though that is included, but for the church in general to start being what it is supposed to be, a reflection of the risen Christ.
Pages 199-200 spoke the most to me. In the context of church life Peterson writes, "(And) God doesn't seem to be embarassed to be mixed up with lives such as ours, sometimes indolent, not frequently faithless. He doesn't keep his distance from us to protect his reputation." (p 199)
I like that.
God is with us. Let's live like it. Thank you for the challenge Mr. Peterson.
You can order the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Resurrection-Conversation-Growing-Christ/dp/0802829554/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283273024&sr=8-1
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 After taking the reader on a spiritual theology journey in "Christ Plays..." and introducing the reader to a very pratical way of approaching the Bibe in "Eat This Book", Peterson dives right into the importance of discipleship.
In the first part of the book Peterson introduces us to some of the grand characters of the biblical narrative. The character scetches that the author paints of Abraham, Moses and Isaiah are intricate and personable. All of them point to Jesus the Messiah.
He carefully builds on their stories with pastoral insight and grace. With such comments as "The way of faith does not serve our fantasies, our illusions, or our ambitions. Faith is not the way to God on our terms, it is the way of God to us on his terms" we are challeneged around every corner.
In the second half of the book we are introduced to different characters in history and how they lived out their spirituality. From the leadership of Caiphas to the violence of Herod, Peterson puts in stark contast the ways of the world to the way of Jesus. He writes, after discussing the differences between simple birth place of Jesus and the lavishness of the burial place of Herod, "The cave in Bethlehem and the palace-fortress of Herodium contrast two ways of getting on in the world that are still with us: the way of Jesus and the way of Herod."
This book will challenge you, inspire you and teach you. I highly recommend it for small group studies and a preaching resource.
You can order it here: http://www.amazon.ca/Jesus-Way-Conversation-Ways-That/dp/080282949X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279739171&sr=8-1 |
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 Tell It Slant is the 4th installment of Eugene Peterson's "Conversation in Spirituality" series. Like my friend and fellow pastor Stephen Barkley writes: He started the series strong with Christ Plays and Eat This Book. The Jesus Way was mediocre, and Tell it Slant was almost disappointing—I wondered if Peterson had wrote himself out of ideas. (StephenBarkley.com)
I have upmost respect for Mr. Peterson which makes it very hard to say anything negative about his writing. Fortunately, part 5, "Practice Ressurection" picks things right up again!
Tell It Slant is a look at how Jesus used words subversively to communicate his message. He goes into long discussions about how key words were used in the stories of Jesus to keep the narrative flowing, to make certain points and how important these keys words are.
Peterson is an artist with words. So I imagine that this book was very important to him. He uses words poetically and wisely but unfortunately, he has used these ideas in other writings making this book for his readers a bit redundent.
If you are new to Eugene Peterson, consider reading the whole series, including "Tell It Slant". I read it for a sense of completion and I am glad I did. It is full of great quotes, great ideas and great theology. The probelm is that he has said these things before. |
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 As we continue to look at Eugene Peterson's "Conversation in Spiritual Theology" we find the second volume takes a very practical swing. Eat This Book is a discussion on how to read the Bible. Not a "this it how it needs to be done" book, but an invintation to participate in the narrative of scripture.
For those who do not read the bible, for those who struggle with understanding the bible and for those who think they have the bible figured out (read p. 65), Eat This Book will intice you to break open the cover, bring insight to understanding scripture and give you a fresh perspective on approaching the Bible. Peterson in "Eat This Book" knows his audience!
After spending some time in explaining an approach to UNDERSTANDING scripture, Peterson then gives the reader different ways of READING scripture. Lectio divina (divine reading), meditatio (memorization), and oratio (speaking) scripture are all ways we can put into practice reading the Bible. His commentary on the subjects are short yet very insightful.
Peterson does not stray from his pastoral approach he takes in all of his writings. His gentleness and understanding as a pastor comes through clearly in this book. He guides the reader to a place where the bible wants to, and needs to be read.
Peterson writes:
When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories but our stories in God's. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories find themselves (p. 44)
Words only Eugene Peterson can get across so brilliantly.
Eat This Book is not a long book, but it contains enough wisdom to fill a library. Enjoy it.
You can order it here: http://www.amazon.ca/Eat-This-Book-Conversation-Spiritual/dp/0802864902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279553249&sr=8-1 |
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