Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places reunites spirituality and theology in a cultural context where these two vital facets of Christian faith have been rent asunder. Lamenting the vacuous, often pagan nature of contemporary American spirituality, Eugene Peterson here firmly grounds spirituality once more in Trinitarian theology and offers a clear, practical statement of what it means to actually live out the Christian life. Writing in the conversational style that he is well known for, Peterson boldly sweeps out the misunderstandings that clutter conversations on spiritual theology and refurnishes the subject only with what is essential. As Peterson shows, spiritual theology, in order to be at once biblical and meaningful, must remain sensitive to ordinary life, present the Christian gospel, follow the narrative of Scripture, and be rooted in the fear of the Lord - in short, spiritual theology must be about God and not about us. The foundational book in a five-volume series on spiritual theology emerging from Petersons pen, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places provides the conceptual and directional help we all need to live the Christian gospel well and maturely in the conditions that prevail in the church and world today.
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About the Author
Eugene H. Peterson, author of the best-selling contemporary translation of the Bible titled The Message, is professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Christ Plays" is the opening salvo in Eugene Peterson's multivolume series on "spiritual theology." Peterson aims to recover the word "spiritual" for Christians out of the popular but vague fog it frequently refers to in contemporary culture. He wants to rejoin "spiritual" with "theology." When Peterson unites the two, he envisions a Christian faith that is robustly practical and unapologetically biblical. Spiritual theology is not solely for monks or academics; it's for everyday disciples of Jesus.
Peterson allows each section of the book to grow out of specific "grounding texts," biblical stories that shape the arenas of creation, history, and community. But these grounding texts are not a mere verse here or parable there. They are entire biblical books - Deuteronomy or Acts, for instance. Peterson masterfully navigates us through the details of their respective landscapes while never losing sight of the broader horizon. In fact, I was regularly amazed throughout "Christ Plays" by how Peterson managed to focus the reader not only on the story at hand (Acts, for example) but also on the sweep of the entire biblical story. "Chris Plays" demands multiple return visits.
Peterson allows each section of the book to grow out of specific "grounding texts," biblical stories that shape the arenas of creation, history, and community. But these grounding texts are not a mere verse here or parable there. They are entire biblical books - Deuteronomy or Acts, for instance. Peterson masterfully navigates us through the details of their respective landscapes while never losing sight of the broader horizon. In fact, I was regularly amazed throughout "Christ Plays" by how Peterson managed to focus the reader not only on the story at hand (Acts, for example) but also on the sweep of the entire biblical story. "Chris Plays" demands multiple return visits.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been curious about Eugene Petersen for many years. As a student at Moody I found many people cynical towards anything connected to Petersen. I believe it was something that was caught and not taught. There seemed to me an atmosphere of something-not-quite-but-quite-like contempt. So, I never read him.
Until now. As a self-professed proponent of the Young, Restless and Reformed demographic I was always drawn to "heady" books. I wanted to know every detail about the doctrine of union with Christ or substitutionary atonement. I've come to a place where I know much about those biblical ideas, but I experience very little. The state of my soul is quite weary of academic inquiry. I don't need more ideas about Christ, I need to commune with him.
Enter Eugene Peterson's Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. I was unsure what the subtitle meant by "spiritual theology" - and, I have to admit I was a bit cynical. But, no longer. Two paragraphs into the introduction I read these words:
"Spiritual theology is the attention that we give to the details of living life on this way. It is a protest against theology depersonalized into information about God; it is a protest against theology functionalized into a program of strategic planning for God" (1)
It is easy for us to know lots of theology, but keep God at a distance. Conversely, we can experience many things and wax eloquently about our feelings towards God but do so in a way entirely divorced from what he has told us about himself in Scripture. He defines "spiritual theology" as "the attention that we give to living what we know and believe about God" (6). He is not attempting to create a new sub-discipline of theology (like Historical, Biblical or Systematic). Rather "it represents the conviction that all theology, no exceptions, has to do with the living God who creates us as living creatures to live to his glory" (6). Spirituality and Theology need each other. They cannot be properly expressed (or experienced) outside of one another. They are the checks and balances for the soul.
Peterson first defines his terms and clarifies his ideas. "Spiritual" and "Spirituality" are ambiguous words. Many people enjoy the ambiguity because they can use it however they see fit. Peterson, however, maintains that "spiritual" and "spirituality" are only meaningful insofar as they are defined by the person and work of Christ. Spirituality needs theology.
From here he explores this idea of spiritual theology through Creation (Part I), History (Part II) and Community (Part III). This is a helpful paradigm. More than helpful, it is the pattern displayed by God since Abraham. He promised the patriarch a land, descendants and a nation. This pattern prevails through all of the Bible. It would make sense to follow this pattern through in the church.
I found Peterson's book to be extremely helpful. It was a breath of fresh air in my otherwise stale soul. I have been looking for a reliable guide to help navigate (safely) the treacherous waters of contemporary spirituality. I think Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places is an excellent place to begin contemplating a biblically faithful, Christ honoring, soul-nurturing spirituality.
NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I received a complementary copy of the aforementioned text for the purposes of review. I was not required to furnish a positive review.
Until now. As a self-professed proponent of the Young, Restless and Reformed demographic I was always drawn to "heady" books. I wanted to know every detail about the doctrine of union with Christ or substitutionary atonement. I've come to a place where I know much about those biblical ideas, but I experience very little. The state of my soul is quite weary of academic inquiry. I don't need more ideas about Christ, I need to commune with him.
Enter Eugene Peterson's Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. I was unsure what the subtitle meant by "spiritual theology" - and, I have to admit I was a bit cynical. But, no longer. Two paragraphs into the introduction I read these words:
"Spiritual theology is the attention that we give to the details of living life on this way. It is a protest against theology depersonalized into information about God; it is a protest against theology functionalized into a program of strategic planning for God" (1)
It is easy for us to know lots of theology, but keep God at a distance. Conversely, we can experience many things and wax eloquently about our feelings towards God but do so in a way entirely divorced from what he has told us about himself in Scripture. He defines "spiritual theology" as "the attention that we give to living what we know and believe about God" (6). He is not attempting to create a new sub-discipline of theology (like Historical, Biblical or Systematic). Rather "it represents the conviction that all theology, no exceptions, has to do with the living God who creates us as living creatures to live to his glory" (6). Spirituality and Theology need each other. They cannot be properly expressed (or experienced) outside of one another. They are the checks and balances for the soul.
Peterson first defines his terms and clarifies his ideas. "Spiritual" and "Spirituality" are ambiguous words. Many people enjoy the ambiguity because they can use it however they see fit. Peterson, however, maintains that "spiritual" and "spirituality" are only meaningful insofar as they are defined by the person and work of Christ. Spirituality needs theology.
From here he explores this idea of spiritual theology through Creation (Part I), History (Part II) and Community (Part III). This is a helpful paradigm. More than helpful, it is the pattern displayed by God since Abraham. He promised the patriarch a land, descendants and a nation. This pattern prevails through all of the Bible. It would make sense to follow this pattern through in the church.
I found Peterson's book to be extremely helpful. It was a breath of fresh air in my otherwise stale soul. I have been looking for a reliable guide to help navigate (safely) the treacherous waters of contemporary spirituality. I think Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places is an excellent place to begin contemplating a biblically faithful, Christ honoring, soul-nurturing spirituality.
NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I received a complementary copy of the aforementioned text for the purposes of review. I was not required to furnish a positive review.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology
January 9, 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Eugene Peterson is a fabulous Teacher and writter.
This book came into my life at exactly the right time.
i needed to be reminded that the Physical Church that i attend is filled with people just like me, broken from not knowing.
I grewn up in an era where it's not been a good thing to be Christian and all of what that means.
This has been deeply influencing the church for a long time now, as pastors and teachers fear telling The Truth of Father Son and Holy Spirit will not be looked on favorably.
Now we have a population of people starving for The Truth, unable to love or be loved because we haven't a clue as to what it looks like.
Mr Peterson brings it all back home, settles it down, puts it in words we can understand and do.
i've given this book to a few and they are strengthened to go love the unlovable and Tell The Truth and set others free.
This book came into my life at exactly the right time.
i needed to be reminded that the Physical Church that i attend is filled with people just like me, broken from not knowing.
I grewn up in an era where it's not been a good thing to be Christian and all of what that means.
This has been deeply influencing the church for a long time now, as pastors and teachers fear telling The Truth of Father Son and Holy Spirit will not be looked on favorably.
Now we have a population of people starving for The Truth, unable to love or be loved because we haven't a clue as to what it looks like.
Mr Peterson brings it all back home, settles it down, puts it in words we can understand and do.
i've given this book to a few and they are strengthened to go love the unlovable and Tell The Truth and set others free.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chris plays in ten thousand places
This is the best book I have ever read. I feel so much more informed as to what the scriptures are saying to me.
Published 2 months ago by Carolyn Whitworth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Its all about Jesus
IF along the way you feel like something is wrong, like you have taken a wrong turn; the writings of Eugene Peterson my be just what you need. Read more
Published 7 months ago by F. perez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Individual Application
This is a book to be chewed on, not read straight through. It is not a reference book, and not a how-to journal. Read more
Published 8 months ago by grammaplp
4.0 out of 5 stars
Penetratingly insightful
Peterson gives well-reasoned insights into the process of spiritual formation that are full of wisdom, encouragement, and a healthy understanding of the grace of God. Read more
Published 11 months ago by D. Watson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conversing with Christ plays in 10000 Places
The book is well structured, easy to read and engaging. Helped to challenge the way I think about my Christian spirituality. A good supplement to theological studies.
Published on February 4, 2011 by Nate
