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Eugene Peterson: “Eat This Book”

Wrong ideas about what life is all about come from misunderstanding what God has revealed to us. He is the author of life, and only He can tell us how to really live. I find it encouraging that there are many who are calling the church back to reading and doing the Scriptures. Recently, many articles have appeared in periodicals challenging the church to rethink how they approach God’s Word. Gary M. Burge says that the Bible is “The Greatest Story Never Read,” in his challenge to recover Biblical literacy in the Church (Christianity Today Aug. 9, 1999). Pastor Jack Hayford specifically addressed “Biblical Illiteracy in the Pulpit” in his interview with Ministries Today’s new editor Larry Keefauver. He said, “We must first study the original text in the context of Scripture and its literacy and historical background. Then we go to the commentaries for further illumination. But the original excitement and inspiration we had in studying the text must not be lost or dampened by study. We are not seeking to justify our opinions or insights, but to understand the text and communicate with enthusiasm its truth and application for today” (Ministries Today Jan/Feb. 1999, p. 28).

This 1999 Theology Today article may have been the basis for Peterson’s 2005 book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (Eerdmans). Preview.

If faith comes by hearing with the heart, and hearing comes by faithful reading (formative assimilation) of God’s revelation, then we need to be fulfilling this glorious privilege. As Pentecostals and charismatics, we should know that the Holy Spirit works in and through us with that we have in our hearts. If His Word is treasured and active in us, He can renew us and others by the practice of the Word.

It is no secret that individuals and ministers from the Pentecostal/charismatic tradition are known for Biblical illiteracy. May we all heed this challenge, regardless of the stereotypes and our backgrounds. It is the Spirit who is bringing this admonition to His Church. We all need to fall in love with the Word and submit ourselves to it. We need to eat this Book.

Reviewed by Raul Mock

 

 

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Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 2000

About the Author: Raul L. Mock is one of the founders and directors of the Pneuma Foundation and editor of The Pneuma Review. Raul has been part of an Evangelical publishing ministry since 1996, working with Information Services and Supply Chain Management for more than two decades. He and his wife, Erin, have a daughter and twin boys and live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. LinkedIn

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