Leap Over a Wall : Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians [Paperback]

Eugene H. Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 1998

Of all the characters in the Bible, it is David who is most human. His life is lived on the "rough-edged actuality" of real life, and his relationship with God is an energetic one. Through the passions, the trials, and the lyrical poetry of this beloved figure, we gain powerful insights into the role of God in our own lives.

In this inspirational volume, Professor Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message, uses stories from David's epic life as vivid lessons in everyday faith and spirituality. Exploring David's experiences of friendship, grief, love, sin, and suffering, as well as sanctuary, beauty, and wilderness, he reawakens us to the enduring truths behind these beloved stories.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Toward the end of this book, Peterson, author of the immensely popular translation of the New Testament, The Message, observes that "the Christian life isn't a romantic idyll." Rather, he says, the Christian life is fraught with pain, spattered with grief and paradox and, in the end, lit by hope. Out of a deep awareness of these truths, Peterson engages in an examination of the life of David to illuminate the ways in which the divine is often hidden in the ordinary. Exploring a number of scriptural passages about the life of David, Peterson shows the ways in which David's life, though fraught with struggles and shortcomings, was one filled with exuberance and animated by God's deliberate power. The author brings the Old Testament world revealingly close to our own century, and he makes vivid the notion that God's purposes are worked out in the ordinariness of specific human lives.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Peterson's mother told him many stories when he was a child, filling them with vital detail and color. Later he learned that she had, although never violating their spirit, embroidered some of the Bible stories. He does as much to the stories of David that he retells, but he points out his variations from what the Bible says and states his reasons for them. Mostly, those reasons seem intended to show that he knows biblical research well and isn't just a talented storyteller strutting his stuff. Both his knowledge and his literary skill are impressive, but not as impressive as his ability to make the character of David and the 20 episodes of David's life that he rehearses and interprets illustrate what it is to live consciously in the presence of God, although, like David, one is no miracle worker but all too commonly human. This is an ideal popular companion for study of the man from whom Matthew and Luke labored to show Jesus was descended. Ray Olson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006066522X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060665227
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on being fully human, June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Leap Over a Wall : Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians (Paperback)

This book, detailing and probing the life of King David, has provided many valuable insights into the matter of living in communion with God even as being fully human. Although I was skeptical, I am glad to note that the biblical text was handled with integrity. The author researched the texts that he commented on, and admitted to speculation when doing so. This book is a must-read for anyone who struggles with the matter of living with God even as he or she struggles with being human. Peterson's narrative style also pulls the Davidic story right off the pages! The perspective is refreshing and challenging at the same time.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leap over a wall, November 1, 2001

By 

Tim Rittenhouse (Flemington, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leap Over a Wall : Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians (Paperback)

Peterson brings a breath of fresh air to a stagnant atmosphere of worn out spiritual cliches. He makes the Bible come alive again,and gives flesh and blood to the names and places that we have heard and read about all of our lives. He forces you out of one dimensional thinking to three dimensional reality. His words get to the real heart of the matter. He words call out to my heart and challenges me to to seek and know God, God who knows me better than I know myself.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Treasure in the attic..., March 13, 2004

By 

Donald S. Meador "imthman" (Novo Hamburgo, Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leap Over a Wall : Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians (Paperback)

I found a copy of this book in my in-law's attic. I looked through the contents and decided to read the chapter on Friendship - David and Jonathan. Peterson is profound in this chapter. His comments on friendship as an expression of spirituality were so insightful that I am viewing my relationships with others in a new way already. I was even convicted that my friendship with my wife was not sufficient by God's standard. Wow, what a difference one chapter can make. I can hardly wait to buy this book and read the all of Peterson's reflections on the life of David. I like this "earthy spirituality." Give it a try, you might like it too.