Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading

by Eugene H. Peterson

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802829481
• ISBN13: 9780802829481
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Refocuses how you approach Scripture

Along with John Ortberg's "The Life You've Always Wanted" and J.G. Marking's "A Voice Is Calling," this book has done the most in my life to help me get a fresh look at entering the Word of God. Peterson does an amazing job of challenging the reader to not only read Scripture but to encounter the Word, expecting transformation. I believe this is Peterson's greatest strength is that he believes and thus conveys to the reader how vital seeking the presence of Christ within the pages of Scripture instead of simply looking for information. Peterson brings up a number of good points, especially that it is not so much whether you are reading the Bible that counts but how you read it because how you approach it ultimately determines just how much you get out of it and how much you can then grow. Though sometimes long-winded, the book is a great discussion and examination without boring but engaging the reader. Fantastic.

transformational reading

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.

Live this book

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.