A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter [Hardcover]

Michael Card (Author), Brennan Manning (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2003

Winner of a Chicago Book Clinic 2004 Design Award! "The ultimate reason for getting to know Peter is so together we might better know Jesus. For the story of Peter is the story of Jesus. Perhaps, if you and I do our best, the same will be said of us someday"--Michael Card. Simon Peter emerges from the pages of the Gospels with greater clarity and definition than any other person except Jesus. He is the Rock, the unambiguous leader of the Twelve. He could even be described as Jesus' best friend. But that is not all. "He was a fragile stone," writes Michael Card, "completely dependent upon his Master and Friend, Eeven as Jesus had insisted on his dependence on the Father." In this landmark book, songwriter and musician Michael Card explores the dynamic, contradictory life of the apostle Peter. The fruit of years of careful study, A Fragile Stone revisits well-known passages and discovers unexpected insights, painting a portrait of Peter that is both familiar and jarring. With a scope spanning the entire New Testament, Card reveals how the impetuous fisherman of the Gospels was transformed into the pivotal leader of the early church. The life of Simon Peter thus serves as a model for Christian discipleship, offering hope that we likewise can be changed as Jesus calls us to follow him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Card, a Dove Award-winning songwriter and author or co-author of more than 14 books (including Scribbling in the Sand, one of PW's Best Religion Books for 2002), here turns his attention to the Apostle Peter, who he says has been ignored by contemporary Protestants and Catholics alike. Card delves deep into the "emotional life" of Peter, the disciple Jesus called "the Rock." We are wrong when we assume that this title came because of Peter's strength or perfect stability, Card warns; Peter was a flawed man and an unlikely choice to be a foundation. He did, however, eventually become this sure foundation: Card traces Peter's evolution through the Gospels and the Book of Acts to the mature expressions of leadership and care for the flock that we see in his two epistles. In those letters, Peter extends the call of discipleship to all who confess Christ, using the same title Jesus once conferred exclusively upon him to call others to be "living stones" of God's spiritual temple. As always, Card offers some stunning exegesis and biblical insights, pointing readers to connections they might not otherwise have made. (In the post-resurrection scene where Jesus asks Peter three times whether Peter loves him, for example, Card posits that Jesus is giving Peter the opportunity to make restitution for his three earlier denials. "Painful as the questions are, they are an expression of Jesus' creative forgiveness.") This book is original, compelling and full of joy.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Card offers some stunning exegesis and biblical insights, pointing readers to connections they might not otherwise have made. . . . Original, compelling, and full of joy."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (July 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823727
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823727
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A multifaceted gem of a book!, April 18, 2004

By 

Packman "rtlholmes" (Chicagoland, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter (Hardcover)

I finished this book in only 3 days because I couldn't stop reading, I loved it!
Card uncovers personal perspectives about Peter and about Jesus. Some highlights (among MANY) that struck me:
WHEN Peter tried to walk on water:

"The lesson is that Peter needed to sink in order to take that next step of faith in Jesus. Because walking on the water does not ultimately increase our faith, only sinking does! Those who ask for miracles and receive them soon forget. But those who suffer for Christ's sake never forget."

"And what often goes unappreciated is that Peter's short walk was indeed a triumph of faith. It was his first miracle!"

ON GOOD FRIDAY:
"Jesus and his disciples were celebrating their Passover on Thursday when everyone else in Jerusalem was making preparations on Friday. This means that the Jews of Jerusalem were preparing and slaughtering their Passover lambs at precisely the same moment the following day, when Jesus, the Lamb of God, was dying on the cross."

ON PETER'S DENIAL:
After he denies Jesus the third time, Luke records that Jesus turned to him and looked at Peter across the courtyard.
"It was this look, I believe, that broke Peter's heart.
The understanding gaze of Jesus could not have been one of disdain or condemnation. That was not Jesus' way. I believe the only look that could have broken Simon Peter was of love and forgiveness. Which is just what we would expect from our Savior."
There's also a segment that tears at your heart when Jesus, resurrected, asks Peter three times to take care of his Sheep, neutralizing Peter's three denials. It has never before struck me with the force of Jesus' kindness and forgiveness as Card reveals it.

This book is less than 200 paperback-like pages that go by quickly. It is overflowing with insight and wonderful personal moments. Peter, the leader of the Apostles, may have faltered in his faith, but never in his love for Jesus.
You will come away with a newfound respect for Peter and especially for the Friend he followed to the end.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A more real Peter than the usual stereotype, May 27, 2005

By 

Ms. Kathryn Houseman Lobert (Arlington, TX USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter (Hardcover)

I have always loved Peter so much for his impetuousness, imperfections, and deep love for Christ. In this book, Michael Card has presented a much more real Peter than I have ever seen. I can see him so clearly now as he grew in his faith, love, obedience, and strength in Christ. I see him with his personal struggles as he comes to the realization that the Messiah must die and that following Jesus may very well lead to his own death. In the chapter describing the changes around Jesus during the last week of his life, Michael Card focuses on the fact that people began leaving Jesus because He made them realize that following Him would be hard, challenging, dangerous, and yet more fulfilling than any other experience of life. When the people say that what Jesus is describing is hard and who could bear that life, they begin leaving. Jesus turns to the twelve and asks if they are going to leave as well. Only Peter answers telling Jesus that He is Lord, Savior - where else would they go? In the past, when I have read or studied this part of Scripture, I just assumed that Peter was giving a strong affirmation of their faith and faithfulness. Michael Card gives another and much more realistic portrayal - Peter is tired, sad, disappointed and he agrees with the people who said that following Christ is hard and difficult to bear. His answer is more one of resignation - You are the Lord, Jesus. You are the Savior, you are the way to salvation - Where else are we going to go?? I have read these pages to almost everyone I know because Card continues on with these thoughts and states that at some point in our lives, we will also be disappointed with Christ. Things will go in a way we never wanted or imagined - he gave the examples of losing a child or getting cancer. At these points in our lives, we have the same decision as Peter - are we going to stay or will we decide that being a Christian is too hard and we cannot bear it. But we will be forced to choose faith or no faith at what may be the most painful point in our lives. Peter made his choice, yet he then followed by denying Christ three times. Watching Peter become "the rock" from being a "fragile stone" has brought me to an even stronger place in my faith. Peter is shown to be like us - with all the struggles, mistakes,joys and sorrows and he was able to choose Christ above all. Michael Card takes the reader on Peter's journey and the reader is strengthened and enriched. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would - just as I would have done for his book, A Sacred Sorrow - Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Realistic..., September 8, 2003

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Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter (Hardcover)

The most outspoken of the Twelve Apostles, Simon, later called Peter stands as a unique figure in history. To the Catholics, he is the first Pope, infallible and supreme among the disciples. The Protestants respect him, though many tend to think of him as a good ol' boy. If any of the twelve who followed Christ in the inner circle could be considered His best friend, likely, it would have been Simon Peter.

This was the man who alone among them dared to rebuke Christ; but he also made the declaration that was the cornerstone of the church. Peter displayed great valor and ignoble cowardice. Being impetuous was his greatest flaw, and greatest asset. Using the Bible, tradition, and secular history, Mr. Card makes a song of Peter's life. By using the popular Message Bible translation, he assures that the readers have no doubt of his meaning, however, he often cites scripture without the accompanying verse. Perhaps this is a clever way to get the readers to read their own Bible?

*** Whether this is true or not, reading A Fragile Stone will bring to life both the man and the times. It is plain to see that Simon Peter lived up to his call as one of the Rabbi's talmidin, and truly imitated his Master. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore