Eat This Book challenges us to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God’s revelation, and to live them as we read them. With warmth and wisdom Peterson offers greatly needed, down-to-earth counsel on spiritual reading. In these pages he draws readers into a fascinating conversation on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of Scripture translations; included here is the “inside story” behind Peterson’s own popular Bible translation, The Message.
Eat This Book
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Peterson is a retired pastor and popular author best known for The Message, a paraphrasing of the Bible into modern idiom. In this slender book, he invites Christian readers to encounter the Bible anew. Drawing on language in Ezekiel and Revelation, Peterson says that we ought not read the Bible the same way we read a cookbook, a textbook, or even a great novel. Rather, Christians are to absorb, imbibe, feed on and digest Scripture. Peterson recommends a type of Bible-based prayer called lectio divina, in which the person praying meditates on a short passage of Scripture and listens for God to speak through the text. Peterson's exposition of lectio divina is one of the fullest to appear in recent years. Throughout, he cautions that lectio is not a systematic way of reading, but a "developed habit of living the text in Jesus' name." The last chapter, in which Peterson ruminates on his own experience translating the Bible, will be fascinating to Peterson's devotees, but is more myopic than the rest of the book. However, this is a worthy sequel to Peterson's 2004 hit Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
'Peterson's exposition of lectio divina is one of the fullest to appear in recent years... A worthy sequel to his 2004 hit CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES' -- Publishers Weekly 'A tour de force in spiritual theology, combining incisive cultural analysis and biblical exposition with a sweeping and engaging vision of the Christian life (for CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES)' -- Christianity Today 'Rich, generous, and wise, Peterson's 'conversation' will help readers at every stage of faith to live their faith more deeply (for CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES)' -- Publishers Weekly 'Eugene Peterson is an authoritative voice in the 'spiritual theology' field and well worth listening to.' -- Franciscan 20080922
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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More About the Author
Peterson, now retired, was for many years James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. In addition to his widely acclaimed paraphrase of the Bible, The Message (NavPress), he has written many other books.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Too often we USE the Bible, but Eugene wants us to enter into and LIVE it. He presents lectio divina (sacred reading) as the best way to do this. Lectio divina is a four-part way of reading Scripture:
Lectio. Read. God is speaking, so I listen intently to what he says.
Meditatio. Engage. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally.
Oratio. Pray. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally and reply personally in prayer.
Contemplatio. Live. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally and reply in prayerful living.
The final section of the book is an illuminating introduction to Bible translation and ultimately to The Message (his translation) itself. He argues that literalism in translation encourages USING the Bible as a tool, in which case we're in charge, not God. But putting the Bible in the same language as our day-to-day lives encourages LIVING the Bible, in which case God's in charge, not us.
The publisher is also releasing a study guide for small groups that I have written with Eugene. Once you read the book on your own, I think you'll understand why it is so important to study (and live!) together as a church.
Don't just use the Bible. Eat it! Let it get inside of you and change you. Live it.
Lectio. Read. God is speaking, so I listen intently to what he says.
Meditatio. Engage. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally.
Oratio. Pray. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally and reply personally in prayer.
Contemplatio. Live. God is speaking to me, so I listen personally and reply in prayerful living.
The final section of the book is an illuminating introduction to Bible translation and ultimately to The Message (his translation) itself. He argues that literalism in translation encourages USING the Bible as a tool, in which case we're in charge, not God. But putting the Bible in the same language as our day-to-day lives encourages LIVING the Bible, in which case God's in charge, not us.
The publisher is also releasing a study guide for small groups that I have written with Eugene. Once you read the book on your own, I think you'll understand why it is so important to study (and live!) together as a church.
Don't just use the Bible. Eat it! Let it get inside of you and change you. Live it.
58 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Peterson has become my new favorite theologian. I wish reading him had been an option when I was in seminary. I have a suspicion that he's still not on the menu because he sees theology as something more than an academic exercise. Theology is ultimately about experiencing God and serving the Kingdom-goals that are not always in tandem with the academy.
This second volume of a projected five volume series is an exceptional work on the nature of scripture and how we relate to it, absorb it and live it. Rather than treating scripture as a still life from which we extract a theology, Peterson emphasizes the reader entering the story and allowing the story to transform our lives. More than just telling us to read and absorb, he helps us rediscover one of the church's older practices, lecto divina. He emphasizes that this is not a technique but an attitude of prayerful, respectful reading. So, rather than telling us what scripture is and isn't in cold, sterile categories, he shows us its value for the spiritual journey.
Peterson is distilling a lifetime of teaching, growing and ministering in this series of books. I hope that we as church are wise enough to push the academy to listen to his voice.
This second volume of a projected five volume series is an exceptional work on the nature of scripture and how we relate to it, absorb it and live it. Rather than treating scripture as a still life from which we extract a theology, Peterson emphasizes the reader entering the story and allowing the story to transform our lives. More than just telling us to read and absorb, he helps us rediscover one of the church's older practices, lecto divina. He emphasizes that this is not a technique but an attitude of prayerful, respectful reading. So, rather than telling us what scripture is and isn't in cold, sterile categories, he shows us its value for the spiritual journey.
Peterson is distilling a lifetime of teaching, growing and ministering in this series of books. I hope that we as church are wise enough to push the academy to listen to his voice.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the first book I can recall reading that addresses "How to read the Bible" ...
There's 3 essays here:
Eat this Book - John the Revelator, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah all ate God's message on command. What does the gastronomic lesson teach? Consuming God's message goes beyond the typical scriptural read.
Lectio Divina -Christ asked "How do you read?" in Luke 10:26 ... God only talks with you ... not through someone else. You can only hear him when you are addressed. Here's a discipline for creating the opportunity.
The Company of Translators - A great walk through the back alleys of translating the Good News for contemporary consumers through the ages. Is the 16th century King James hard to digest? Unless you read ancient Hebrew or vernacular Greek bolstered by late 19th and 20th century linguistic revelation, it makes sense to try to understand the message as close to the dirty, dusty streets of the gospel writers as you can get with words alone. The language of place and time needs transport into terms we can grasp. We recognize the limitations of the written word ... words don't capture body language, the emotional state of the participants, the state of mind of the listener, the smells, the backdrop ... all things that make for understanding beyond words. The job of the translator is indeed a challenge to strangle the most complete sense of the words into contemporary context. The job of the message consumer is no less challenging .
This can be an easy read or a study. It depends on your appetite I guess.
There's 3 essays here:
Eat this Book - John the Revelator, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah all ate God's message on command. What does the gastronomic lesson teach? Consuming God's message goes beyond the typical scriptural read.
Lectio Divina -Christ asked "How do you read?" in Luke 10:26 ... God only talks with you ... not through someone else. You can only hear him when you are addressed. Here's a discipline for creating the opportunity.
The Company of Translators - A great walk through the back alleys of translating the Good News for contemporary consumers through the ages. Is the 16th century King James hard to digest? Unless you read ancient Hebrew or vernacular Greek bolstered by late 19th and 20th century linguistic revelation, it makes sense to try to understand the message as close to the dirty, dusty streets of the gospel writers as you can get with words alone. The language of place and time needs transport into terms we can grasp. We recognize the limitations of the written word ... words don't capture body language, the emotional state of the participants, the state of mind of the listener, the smells, the backdrop ... all things that make for understanding beyond words. The job of the translator is indeed a challenge to strangle the most complete sense of the words into contemporary context. The job of the message consumer is no less challenging .
This can be an easy read or a study. It depends on your appetite I guess.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
How Deep Can You Go?
This is a very thoughtful, insightful book, not for those who are seeking to lightly read and just be entertained, but for those who are seeking a deeper understanding and... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Margaret
3.0 out of 5 stars
Over my head
I like just about everything that Eugene Peterson writes, but this book--I just didn't get it. Maybe I should have eaten the book instead of reading it!
Published 1 month ago by SGP
4.0 out of 5 stars
Audio Book
I have this book as an audio book from audible.com The book was good, but I recommend that you read the book as well as listen to it if possible. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Vickie Oakley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritual nutrition
I look forward to the day of meeting Mr. Peterson in Heaven so I can thank him for helping me to understand the Bible better.
Published 4 months ago by Kenda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Introduction to Lectio Divina
In many ways the entire book is a discourse on the need for lectio divina. But rather than a strict "how to," the book is filled with inspiring stories and motivating... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Chris Altrock
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthwhile read
This book transforms the way you read the Bible. It is encouraging, challenging and refreshing. As someone who has translated the Bible, Eugene knows what he is talking about. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sylpheni
3.0 out of 5 stars
Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson
I recently read this book for a class on orthodoxy and hermeneutics. And while I could offer a very critical review of the book, I would much rather explain its potential weight... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Adam Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading
An excellent book on how to read Scripture. Imaginative, meditative and encouraging. Peterson reflects on how we rush through words, skip along pages and helps us slow down and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Philippa J Lohmeyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eating This Book
We have too long read the Bible for what we can get out of it. This book is helping me to change perspectives, to becoming a participant in the word. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Don
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bible Perspective
I think Eugene Peterson is one of my favorite Christian authors. Eat this book provides good insight on how to read the Bible for spiritual formation not just for information.
Published 19 months ago by Read Right
