Reading with Deeper Eyes: the Love of Literature and the Life of Faith [Paperback]

William H. Willimon (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room Books; Edition Unstated edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835808475
• ISBN-13: 978-0835808477
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,387,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William H. Willimon is Presiding Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, Birmingham, AL area, and Visiting Research Professor, Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC. Prior to his current position he served for twenty years as Professor of Christian Ministry and Dean of Duke University Chapel. He is the author of fifty books, and over a million copies of his books have been sold. His articles have appeared in many publications including The Christian Ministry, Quarterly Review, Liturgy, Worship, and Christianity Today. His Pulpit Resource is used each week by over eight thousand pastors in the U.S.A., Canada, and Australia. He was selected in a Baylor University survey as one of the "Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bold expression of literature and Christian spirituality, December 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Reading with Deeper Eyes: the Love of Literature and the Life of Faith (Paperback)

Will Willimon has never been shy in expressing his opinions, and he expresses himself very well. Willimon traces the spiritual journey by looking at ten literary works. He begins with the image of the spiritual quest from the Odyssey, takes us into some of the despair voiced by characters in the work of Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, moves us into the possibilities offered by Anne Tyler in Saint Maybe, and ends with a gifted reading of Mariette in Ecstasy, an overlooked novel by Ron Hansen. It is a pilgrim's progress traced through some surprising literary works.

Willimon makes the salient point that God pops up in literature sometimes to the surprise of an author and perhaps even despite the author. He also offers a crusty opinion of "Christian fiction."

After reading the book and enjoying Willimon's references and summaries of the work s discussed, I found myself wanting to read or reread the original works.

I think this will be an excellent book for groups that want to unpack literature or who want to read the literature from a different perspective. I imagine that even church and Sunday school groups will find Willimon's work quite helpful.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and Mystical Collection, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Reading with Deeper Eyes: the Love of Literature and the Life of Faith (Paperback)

I was part of an adult group that read this book. We enjoyed Willimon's wit and shared some of his opinions. He made us think.

I disagree with his interpretation of John Updike's book. In the Beauty of the Lilies is not about spiritual sloth! It deals with institutionalism in the church and the failings of family, particularly as shaped by the 20th century's media. I suppose Dr. Willimon and I might debate that issue.

On the other hand, I felt good to see references to The Odyssey and felt even better to meet a new author in Willimon's work. After reading Willimon, I found Ron Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy. It is even more awesome, wondrous, and mystical than Willimon described it! Thanks for the book!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literary Love, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Reading with Deeper Eyes: the Love of Literature and the Life of Faith (Paperback)

Willimon is not stuffy in his opinions about literature. He is not stuffy in describing his faith journey or the spiritual journey as he sees it described in works of literature. This is the kind of book that should form the basis of church teachings, even sermons, because Willimon writes unashamedly of his loves: God, the Bible, and many good books.