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The Fullness of Time
Epiphany: The Season of Glory
"We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." This line from the prologue of the Gospel of John declares the theme of Epiphany. Christmas celebrates Christ's birth; Epiphany manifests his glory. The feast of Epiphany and its following season are not as well observed as they should be. Many of us associate Epiphany with the visit of the Magi but don't know much more about it. In this short volume, priest and theologian Fleming Rutledge expounds the primary biblical texts and narrative arc of the season, inviting us to discover anew "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Each volume in the Fullness of Time series invites readers to engage with the riches of the church year, exploring the traditions, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals of the seasons of the church calendar.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published November 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 6, 2024
Rutledge just brings it. Our age has few preachers like her, with her gift for explicating Scriptural symbolism as theological truth. She is not afraid, she does not couch, she holds nothing back. I loved exploring the meaning of Epiphany under her guidance. Epiphany has held a special place for me since I learned its Anglican subtitle, "the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles." Rutledge explores the longer season and its emphases as well, which was enlightening. I knew the Rutledge volume would be a highlight of this series for me, and it certainly was.
February 10, 2024
Growing up in a church with a very informal liturgical tradition I was almost completely unfamiliar with the season of Epiphany. As Rutledge explains, this season begins on January 6—the Feast of Epiphany—and then continues until the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Its focus is on gospel events that “manifest” the glory of God. She points out that the “glory of God” does not describe his essence, but is instead the “radiant revelation of himself, an emanation that humans can receive only by faith.”
Rutledge states that “by the fifth century AD four themes for the Epiphany had become firmly fixed in the greater part of Christendom:
1. The visit of the Magi
2. The baptism in the Jordan River
3. The miracle of the wine at the wedding at Cana
4. The transfiguration of Christ in the presence of his chosen disciples.”
Here’s a batch of quotes I appreciated:
“As Jesus walks along the beach and sees the men with their boats, he utters not an invitation, but a command: ‘Follow me.’ Mark, typically, dramatizes this as an offer they can't refuse: ‘Immediately they left their nets and followed him.’
[…]
“An epiphany in the New Testament is a revelation of Jesus' identity and power. He is able both to command and to elicit an immediate response. This is not just personal charisma. At the baptism we have heard the voice of God identifying his Son. We are meant to be awestruck by these indications of Jesus' majesty. That is what the season of Epiphany is designed to display.”
[p 102-3]
“It is clear throughout all the Gospels that Jesus' primary intention in gathering, teaching, and sending his disciples is that they are to carry not only the message of his kingdom but also—the feature of the gospel message that makes all else possible—his living presence among all who put their trust in him.”
[p 126]
“The left-leaning, ‘progressive’ churches have tended to present Jesus as a great religious figure worthy of emulation, but not as John the Baptist identified him: the unique Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—let alone as the one who comes…on the last day to be our judge. The progressive churches typically think of sin as corporate, epitomized in prayers of repentance for such things as racism and poisoning the planet. These are indeed great evils. The problem, however, is that when everyone is responsible, no one is responsible—except zealots, and they annoy everyone else. (Again, this is a generalization, but not without basis.) The right-leaning, self-identified ‘evangelical’ churches, on the other hand, tend to a highly individualized concept of sin and salvation with emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus, which, in practice, can turn out to have little or no relation to anything in the Sermon on the Mount at the heart of Jesus' teaching.
“The season of Epiphany, if its narrative structure is unfolded with the idea of glorifying Christ, is a powerful antidote to these unbalanced versions of the Christian message. In the chapter on the Sermon on the Mount in this book, we have seen that it lies at the heart of the gospel when it is understood as a description of a liberated life rather than a prescription for earning righteousness. Again: the ‘righteousness of God’ (or ‘justice’ of God—same word in Greek and Hebrew) is a gift and cannot be earned. If it is not understood as a gracious gift, it will lead to self-righteousness and division. When it is gratefully received as being undeserved and unearned, it is the ultimate good news for everyone. When this gospel message is withheld, in order to deliver some other message of self-creation, the church has indeed abandoned its reason for being.”
[p 135-6]
Rutledge states that “by the fifth century AD four themes for the Epiphany had become firmly fixed in the greater part of Christendom:
1. The visit of the Magi
2. The baptism in the Jordan River
3. The miracle of the wine at the wedding at Cana
4. The transfiguration of Christ in the presence of his chosen disciples.”
Here’s a batch of quotes I appreciated:
“As Jesus walks along the beach and sees the men with their boats, he utters not an invitation, but a command: ‘Follow me.’ Mark, typically, dramatizes this as an offer they can't refuse: ‘Immediately they left their nets and followed him.’
[…]
“An epiphany in the New Testament is a revelation of Jesus' identity and power. He is able both to command and to elicit an immediate response. This is not just personal charisma. At the baptism we have heard the voice of God identifying his Son. We are meant to be awestruck by these indications of Jesus' majesty. That is what the season of Epiphany is designed to display.”
[p 102-3]
“It is clear throughout all the Gospels that Jesus' primary intention in gathering, teaching, and sending his disciples is that they are to carry not only the message of his kingdom but also—the feature of the gospel message that makes all else possible—his living presence among all who put their trust in him.”
[p 126]
“The left-leaning, ‘progressive’ churches have tended to present Jesus as a great religious figure worthy of emulation, but not as John the Baptist identified him: the unique Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—let alone as the one who comes…on the last day to be our judge. The progressive churches typically think of sin as corporate, epitomized in prayers of repentance for such things as racism and poisoning the planet. These are indeed great evils. The problem, however, is that when everyone is responsible, no one is responsible—except zealots, and they annoy everyone else. (Again, this is a generalization, but not without basis.) The right-leaning, self-identified ‘evangelical’ churches, on the other hand, tend to a highly individualized concept of sin and salvation with emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus, which, in practice, can turn out to have little or no relation to anything in the Sermon on the Mount at the heart of Jesus' teaching.
“The season of Epiphany, if its narrative structure is unfolded with the idea of glorifying Christ, is a powerful antidote to these unbalanced versions of the Christian message. In the chapter on the Sermon on the Mount in this book, we have seen that it lies at the heart of the gospel when it is understood as a description of a liberated life rather than a prescription for earning righteousness. Again: the ‘righteousness of God’ (or ‘justice’ of God—same word in Greek and Hebrew) is a gift and cannot be earned. If it is not understood as a gracious gift, it will lead to self-righteousness and division. When it is gratefully received as being undeserved and unearned, it is the ultimate good news for everyone. When this gospel message is withheld, in order to deliver some other message of self-creation, the church has indeed abandoned its reason for being.”
[p 135-6]
January 26, 2024
A wonderful presentation of the gifts of Epiphany as a significant liturgical season in its own right. Just as Christmas is focused on the manger, and lent on the cross, Rutledge demonstrates how Epiphany is focused on the manifestation and revealing of Christ's glory in and of Himself.
While brief, the book is packed with valuable insights (it seems to be half introduction to the season and half a manual for clergy). I am still digesting the implications of some of her insights: our glorifying of God is a gift from God, the sermon on the mount, in part, is Christ's promise of imputed righteousness. Overall Rutledge does one of the best jobs of anyone I've read to briefly reconcile sola fide and duty to glorify.
While brief, the book is packed with valuable insights (it seems to be half introduction to the season and half a manual for clergy). I am still digesting the implications of some of her insights: our glorifying of God is a gift from God, the sermon on the mount, in part, is Christ's promise of imputed righteousness. Overall Rutledge does one of the best jobs of anyone I've read to briefly reconcile sola fide and duty to glorify.
January 19, 2024
Wow! I learned a lot and have even more questions about Epiphany after reading. Very rich chapters that I plan to revisit next year. I didn’t realize that God’s glory (and the moments it is revealed to humans in the Bible) is such a focus of Epiphany and the weeks following, but it makes so much sense as a liturgical bridge from Christmas to Lent/Easter.
January 20, 2024
A small book packed full of meaning and inspiration concerning a season of the church calendar for which I had little background knowledge or context. Highly recommend!
February 17, 2024
The best book in The Fullness of Time series. Fleming Rutledge speaks as one with power and authority, but it is the kind of certainty that comes from a lifelong vocation as a preacher and teacher, without a hint of pretentiousness or imposition. Obviously, she loves the Church and writes with that audience in mind, issuing them a wake-up call to the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Goodness of his Gospel. She also makes the most of her space in this little book, with every sentence putting in the work to Glorify God and guide the church toward His Son through the liturgical practices of a little known season called Epiphany.
This authoritative voice of truth that calls the Church away from the Left’s religious figure of Jesus and the Right’s personal relationship Jesus and instead directs their gaze at Jesus Himself in all His Glory as He has manifested it. In her own words “delivering the gospel message is the same thing as delivering the person of Jesus himself. Jesus is not a dead preacher. He is alive and present in the power of the Holy Spirit.” And that is what, or who, Fleming Rutledge delivers, as she has for 95 years, the Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Christ, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, who vanquishes the Powers of Sin and Death.
Fleming Rutledge knows Jesus and makes him known to the Church anew in all his Glory in a beautiful tour through the scripture and tradition of the Epiphany season.
This authoritative voice of truth that calls the Church away from the Left’s religious figure of Jesus and the Right’s personal relationship Jesus and instead directs their gaze at Jesus Himself in all His Glory as He has manifested it. In her own words “delivering the gospel message is the same thing as delivering the person of Jesus himself. Jesus is not a dead preacher. He is alive and present in the power of the Holy Spirit.” And that is what, or who, Fleming Rutledge delivers, as she has for 95 years, the Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Christ, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, who vanquishes the Powers of Sin and Death.
Fleming Rutledge knows Jesus and makes him known to the Church anew in all his Glory in a beautiful tour through the scripture and tradition of the Epiphany season.
April 4, 2024
Epiphany by Fleming Rutledge sheds light on an often overlooked part of the church calendar: Epiphany. I read this book knowing nothing about Epiphany and coming from a church tradition that does not follow the church calendar. After reading this book, I understand the significance of Epiphany, the history around it, and why it is celebrated every year.
My favorite chapter in this book was the chapter on glory. The term glory often feels like a "christianese" word that we use frequently but don't know what it means. I loved how Rutledge asked readers to think about how we use glory today, how it was used in other time periods, and how it applies to Jesus as defining his absolute radiance and power. I also loved the contrast of human glory with divine glory, noting that the source of glory is God himself and that His glory does not go away based on human strivings or perceptions. I also loved the chapter on the magis meeting Jesus as an infant, foreshadowing Jesus coming to save the gentiles.
One thing that didn't work for me in this book was how to connect everything in the book with actually celebrating Epiphany. Because my church tradition doesn't do this, it would have been helpful to have readings, hymns, and prayers laid out for each week. They were woven into the writing but I would have loved an easier way to follow along.
Overall, I'm enjoying the entire Fullness of Time series and would recommend it to others who want to learn more about the church calendar.
Thank you to Brazos Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My favorite chapter in this book was the chapter on glory. The term glory often feels like a "christianese" word that we use frequently but don't know what it means. I loved how Rutledge asked readers to think about how we use glory today, how it was used in other time periods, and how it applies to Jesus as defining his absolute radiance and power. I also loved the contrast of human glory with divine glory, noting that the source of glory is God himself and that His glory does not go away based on human strivings or perceptions. I also loved the chapter on the magis meeting Jesus as an infant, foreshadowing Jesus coming to save the gentiles.
One thing that didn't work for me in this book was how to connect everything in the book with actually celebrating Epiphany. Because my church tradition doesn't do this, it would have been helpful to have readings, hymns, and prayers laid out for each week. They were woven into the writing but I would have loved an easier way to follow along.
Overall, I'm enjoying the entire Fullness of Time series and would recommend it to others who want to learn more about the church calendar.
Thank you to Brazos Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 19, 2024
A splendid, rich little book. I had high hopes for this book ever since Rutledge announced it on Twitter years ago, and it did not disappoint. She’s the perfect guide to this often ignored season. Not only was this book wonderful to read as a Christian, I know it will be an invaluable resource as I preach and lead worship through this season in the years ahead.
February 10, 2024
This book was a welcome addition to aid me in my understanding and spiritual practices to more fully understand the liturgical calendar and each season.
Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
February 11, 2025
“Doxology—rejoicing in the Lord and praising the glory of Christ in the fellowship of the saints—is the one great offering that will be the same in this world and the next. As we are momentarily taken up out of ourselves in this world, how much more shall we all together betaken up into the dance of the blessed Three in One for ever and ever. Gloria en excels is Deo!”
I am so glad I found this book and this series. I can’t wait to take up the next one. I am always impressed with Fleming Rutledge. I have read through her book of Advent homilies many times and I was excited to learn more about the season of Epiphany. I’ve been growing more and more familiar with the church calendar over the past decade and this was another encouraging step. Educational, devotional, and edifying. Great book.
I am so glad I found this book and this series. I can’t wait to take up the next one. I am always impressed with Fleming Rutledge. I have read through her book of Advent homilies many times and I was excited to learn more about the season of Epiphany. I’ve been growing more and more familiar with the church calendar over the past decade and this was another encouraging step. Educational, devotional, and edifying. Great book.
February 7, 2024
If Fleming Rutledge’s goal was to help her readers ‘see more of Jesus’ she certainly succeeded. I have come to expect nothing less from her writings over the years and treasure them deeply. Her wisdom, balance, and obvious devotion shine on every page and every sermon.
This book is small, but it contains tightly packed seeds, that if allowed to germinate will surely produce beautiful blooms in the lives of those who would hear.
As a life-long member of loosely liturgical churches, her explanation of the season whet my appetite to see Epiphany spotlighted in more church traditions.
Truly this was a guide to ‘glory.’ I have seen more of Jesus as a result of this little book, and I love Him more today than when I first picked it up.
This book is small, but it contains tightly packed seeds, that if allowed to germinate will surely produce beautiful blooms in the lives of those who would hear.
As a life-long member of loosely liturgical churches, her explanation of the season whet my appetite to see Epiphany spotlighted in more church traditions.
Truly this was a guide to ‘glory.’ I have seen more of Jesus as a result of this little book, and I love Him more today than when I first picked it up.
February 9, 2024
4.5 stars! There were so many little gems in this book on Epiphany and the season following the Feast Day. I haven’t known much about Epiphany so I deeply appreciated how Rutledge focused the season on the revelation and manifestation of God’s glory in the person of Jesus. As I hear the Scripture texts of this season I have a deeper appreciation of their purpose and why the Church placed them together in this season. I’m grateful for this book, and feel like I could come back to it in the future.
February 12, 2024
Beautiful, comprehensive, succinct, challenging. Anything Fleming Rutledge writes is worth 5 stars. A great read on a season I knew little about.
March 6, 2025
Very good indeed. Thankful for the theology of God's glory being made manifest through Jesus and how Rutledge fleshed that out. Also appreciate the emphasis on recapitulation here.
Most importantly though this book, and others in this series, providing the invitation into the liturgical calendar, I'm falling more and more in love with the story of Jesus as displayed by the 4 Gospels and truly enjoy living into those realities all the more.
Most importantly though this book, and others in this series, providing the invitation into the liturgical calendar, I'm falling more and more in love with the story of Jesus as displayed by the 4 Gospels and truly enjoy living into those realities all the more.
January 21, 2024
I wasn't really aware of the Epiphany season, what it meant, its duration, etc. But I've read Rutledge's work previously and read the Advent book in this Fullness of Time series which was very good, so I thought I'd read this one too.
Gosh, it's good! Really good. Rutledge as only she can provides the liturgical detail one needs in her very learned and delightful manner. What particularly grabbed me was its emphasis on God's glory, and the controlled power Jesus asserted through key 'epiphanic' moments, for example, the Cana miracle, the Transfiguration.
This small book is tremendously readable and I feel I have a much better understanding of this season and want to experience more of Jesus as a result.
I feel very blessed to have received an ebook version from IVP via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review.
Gosh, it's good! Really good. Rutledge as only she can provides the liturgical detail one needs in her very learned and delightful manner. What particularly grabbed me was its emphasis on God's glory, and the controlled power Jesus asserted through key 'epiphanic' moments, for example, the Cana miracle, the Transfiguration.
This small book is tremendously readable and I feel I have a much better understanding of this season and want to experience more of Jesus as a result.
I feel very blessed to have received an ebook version from IVP via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review.
Read
February 11, 2024“In most religious (or “spiritual”) approaches, our human capacities are at the forefront. Contrarily, in biblical theology God is the subject of sentences about himself. He is not the object of our perception. He originates our perception, guides our perception, corrects our perception.”, p. 34
February 5, 2025
Summary: An exploration of the season of Epiphany, a celebration of the glory of Christ's incarnation and revelation of himself to us.
I appreciate this book while also being a bit frustrated with it and I am not completely sure why. I started it last year during the Epiphany season and didn't finish it. So I started it again right at the end of Christmas season so that I would have it done by the start of Epiphany. But again I didn't finish and I really forced myself to finish. I have previously read Rutledge's book on Advent, which is mostly a collection of sermons. And I read about 75% of Rutledge's' Crucifixion and I have dipped into several other of her sermon collections, but again, never finished them.
Sermon collections are not something that really are intended to read straight through. So dipping into them but not finishing is I think to be expected for the genre. But there is something else that I think feels off here. I very much appreciate Rutledge's wisdom and attention to the tradition of the Episcopal church. She turns 87 later this year and we need to pay attention to elders who have seen changes in history. I also think that she is one of the best preachers I have ever heard. I have spent a lot of time watching her old sermons on youtube.
The third things I really appreciate about Rutledge that is in full force here is her attention to Jesus. Rutledge was part of the first generation of women to be ordained in the Episcopal church. That Episcopal church has not always centered Jesus and I think at times she is preaching to a sliver of the church that hasn't centered Jesus. But at the same time, I am not part of that part of the church. I do think there is a need to pay attention to Jesus and his humanity and his death and resurrection. But as much as I did appreciate learning about the season (she is pointing out that Epiphany is a season, not just a single day feast) that centers on Christ's incarnation and glory the attention felt more like retrieval of tradition instead of attention to the need for a season of epiphany.
Maybe I am just the wrong reader for this book, because part of the conception of the whole series is new attention to the liturgical calendar. I want to understand tradition and why the liturgical seasons are as they are, but I didn't feel connected to the great tradition for the purpose of the future. I don't remember where I read it, but somewhere in James KA Smith's work, he talks about the problems of participating in the liturgy while in a culture that doesn't either believe in Christianity or recognize the liturgy. Based on my memory, I think he was talking about the problems of fasting or participating in lent and other seasons that were intended to be communal, solely as an individual. Smith is pointing out that we are not Christians on our own, but in community even as that community is not reflected in broader culture.
Part of Smith's critique of The Benedict Option was that Dreher was advocating retreat from culture when Smith believes that Augustine and others were calling for engagement with culture. What we have seen from Dreher and a significant part of the American church is a reliance on a strongman to get his own way, instead of seeking creative ways to live out the life of Christ within a culture that is no longer designed for you.
I think both Lent and Christmas were writing consciously to help the reader understand how to celebrate the liturgical seasons within a culture that is not designed for us. And in particular how to celebrate when many cultural values are overtly opposed to the underlying values of the season we are celebrating. I don't want to be too strong here, because Rutledge is focusing on glory, in a way that is very cross cultural. I think she is right that the church doesn't understand glory in the way that earlier generations of the church did. But I also didn't feel like I was given much more than just the reality of that lack. Maybe part of the problem is that for Lent and Christmas the problem is that the culture isn't celebrating what the season is celebrating, but Rutlege is pointing out that the church isn't celebrating what the season is celebrating. Those are different problems.
It feels contradictory to both say that this book was too long and didn't do enough, but that is what I am left with. It is about 50 percent longer than Lent (although only about 10 pages longer than Christmas) and I think it either needed to cut 30-50 pages, or pivot to a different lens to look at Epiphany. It isn't that I think anything here is bad or heretical or wrong. It is that either it should have been shorter or covered more ground.
This originally posted on my blog at https://bookwi.se/epiphany/
I appreciate this book while also being a bit frustrated with it and I am not completely sure why. I started it last year during the Epiphany season and didn't finish it. So I started it again right at the end of Christmas season so that I would have it done by the start of Epiphany. But again I didn't finish and I really forced myself to finish. I have previously read Rutledge's book on Advent, which is mostly a collection of sermons. And I read about 75% of Rutledge's' Crucifixion and I have dipped into several other of her sermon collections, but again, never finished them.
Sermon collections are not something that really are intended to read straight through. So dipping into them but not finishing is I think to be expected for the genre. But there is something else that I think feels off here. I very much appreciate Rutledge's wisdom and attention to the tradition of the Episcopal church. She turns 87 later this year and we need to pay attention to elders who have seen changes in history. I also think that she is one of the best preachers I have ever heard. I have spent a lot of time watching her old sermons on youtube.
The third things I really appreciate about Rutledge that is in full force here is her attention to Jesus. Rutledge was part of the first generation of women to be ordained in the Episcopal church. That Episcopal church has not always centered Jesus and I think at times she is preaching to a sliver of the church that hasn't centered Jesus. But at the same time, I am not part of that part of the church. I do think there is a need to pay attention to Jesus and his humanity and his death and resurrection. But as much as I did appreciate learning about the season (she is pointing out that Epiphany is a season, not just a single day feast) that centers on Christ's incarnation and glory the attention felt more like retrieval of tradition instead of attention to the need for a season of epiphany.
Maybe I am just the wrong reader for this book, because part of the conception of the whole series is new attention to the liturgical calendar. I want to understand tradition and why the liturgical seasons are as they are, but I didn't feel connected to the great tradition for the purpose of the future. I don't remember where I read it, but somewhere in James KA Smith's work, he talks about the problems of participating in the liturgy while in a culture that doesn't either believe in Christianity or recognize the liturgy. Based on my memory, I think he was talking about the problems of fasting or participating in lent and other seasons that were intended to be communal, solely as an individual. Smith is pointing out that we are not Christians on our own, but in community even as that community is not reflected in broader culture.
Part of Smith's critique of The Benedict Option was that Dreher was advocating retreat from culture when Smith believes that Augustine and others were calling for engagement with culture. What we have seen from Dreher and a significant part of the American church is a reliance on a strongman to get his own way, instead of seeking creative ways to live out the life of Christ within a culture that is no longer designed for you.
I think both Lent and Christmas were writing consciously to help the reader understand how to celebrate the liturgical seasons within a culture that is not designed for us. And in particular how to celebrate when many cultural values are overtly opposed to the underlying values of the season we are celebrating. I don't want to be too strong here, because Rutledge is focusing on glory, in a way that is very cross cultural. I think she is right that the church doesn't understand glory in the way that earlier generations of the church did. But I also didn't feel like I was given much more than just the reality of that lack. Maybe part of the problem is that for Lent and Christmas the problem is that the culture isn't celebrating what the season is celebrating, but Rutlege is pointing out that the church isn't celebrating what the season is celebrating. Those are different problems.
It feels contradictory to both say that this book was too long and didn't do enough, but that is what I am left with. It is about 50 percent longer than Lent (although only about 10 pages longer than Christmas) and I think it either needed to cut 30-50 pages, or pivot to a different lens to look at Epiphany. It isn't that I think anything here is bad or heretical or wrong. It is that either it should have been shorter or covered more ground.
This originally posted on my blog at https://bookwi.se/epiphany/
May 6, 2024
SUMMARY: Most Christians are familiar with the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Lent while fewer are acquainted with Epiphany. In Epiphany - The Season of Glory Episcopal priest Fleming Rutledge simply, compellingly, and theologically explores the significance of the Epiphany season by highlighting and revering the divine glory of God before exploring the four themes of the season.
But, before diving into the specifics of Epiphany, Rutledge fittingly begins by making the case for the value of the liturgical calendar. Her advice? It takes a lifetime commitment with plenty of grace and perseverance.
"Entering into and receiving the riches of the liturgical cycle requires humility and patience," Rutledge writes. "Above all, a willingness to 'read, mark, learn and inwardly digest' the biblical foundations of the season is essential...Full immersion is necessary, and that can happen only with embodied commitment over periods of years--two or three years to begin with, and a lifetime to absorb and make one's own."
Epiphany begins on January 6 (the Feast of Epiphany) and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Some denominations have ordinary time between the Feast of Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, while traditions do not. The focus of the season centers on the manifestations of God's glory. The four themes of glory that were established in the 6th century include: the visit of the Magi, the baptism in the Jordan River, the miracle of the wine at the wedding at Cana, and the transfiguration of Christ in the presence of his chosen disciples.
Rutledge devotes a chapter to each theme, but before she digs into the details she establishes the fact that the glory of God is not dictated by human spirituality or piety. It is not something we earn or produce. It is inherently God's alone to reveal.
"The glory of God is not summoned by human striving or wishing. It cannot be conjured up by anything we can do. It is pure gift. It comes to us solely at the will of the Creator. It comes from another dimension, over against the world of human bondage to sin and death. It is not accessible to the unaided human eye," Rutledge writes.
With that in mind, Rutledge turns her focus to the four themes of Epiphany pointing out that each is a "gradual revelation of his being" and "a revelation of Jesus' identity and power." These epiphanies or manifestations of God's glory distinguishes himself from all past and future religious leaders.
The visit of the Magi reveals the arrival of the promised king while Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River reveals himself as the Son of God. The miracle at the wedding in Cana reveals his divine power while his transfiguration reveals his divine glory.
"Without these epiphanies, no matter how admirable or how worthy of emulation Jesus may be, he becomes indistinguishable from other prominent religious leaders such as the Dalai Lama. It is knowing Jesus as the Son, transcendently unique in his relationship to God the Father, that we come truly to follow him as participants in his victory over Sin and Death."
In closing Rutledge pens, "The season of Epiphany offers an opportunity to focus for several weeks on the glory of Christ as the second person in the Trinity, in all his intrinsic, immutable, inestimable glory, which can never go away."
Amen!
KEY QUOTE: "The season of Epiphany is designed to show that there is no road to the glory of God through human seeking; it cannot be summoned by human endeavor. It cannot be repeated too often: it comes as pure gift. It is revealed only from God's being, from his will and his self-revelation, for the salvation of his creatures."
MORE: Visit SundaytoSaturday.com where we curate content for the church.
But, before diving into the specifics of Epiphany, Rutledge fittingly begins by making the case for the value of the liturgical calendar. Her advice? It takes a lifetime commitment with plenty of grace and perseverance.
"Entering into and receiving the riches of the liturgical cycle requires humility and patience," Rutledge writes. "Above all, a willingness to 'read, mark, learn and inwardly digest' the biblical foundations of the season is essential...Full immersion is necessary, and that can happen only with embodied commitment over periods of years--two or three years to begin with, and a lifetime to absorb and make one's own."
Epiphany begins on January 6 (the Feast of Epiphany) and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Some denominations have ordinary time between the Feast of Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, while traditions do not. The focus of the season centers on the manifestations of God's glory. The four themes of glory that were established in the 6th century include: the visit of the Magi, the baptism in the Jordan River, the miracle of the wine at the wedding at Cana, and the transfiguration of Christ in the presence of his chosen disciples.
Rutledge devotes a chapter to each theme, but before she digs into the details she establishes the fact that the glory of God is not dictated by human spirituality or piety. It is not something we earn or produce. It is inherently God's alone to reveal.
"The glory of God is not summoned by human striving or wishing. It cannot be conjured up by anything we can do. It is pure gift. It comes to us solely at the will of the Creator. It comes from another dimension, over against the world of human bondage to sin and death. It is not accessible to the unaided human eye," Rutledge writes.
With that in mind, Rutledge turns her focus to the four themes of Epiphany pointing out that each is a "gradual revelation of his being" and "a revelation of Jesus' identity and power." These epiphanies or manifestations of God's glory distinguishes himself from all past and future religious leaders.
The visit of the Magi reveals the arrival of the promised king while Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River reveals himself as the Son of God. The miracle at the wedding in Cana reveals his divine power while his transfiguration reveals his divine glory.
"Without these epiphanies, no matter how admirable or how worthy of emulation Jesus may be, he becomes indistinguishable from other prominent religious leaders such as the Dalai Lama. It is knowing Jesus as the Son, transcendently unique in his relationship to God the Father, that we come truly to follow him as participants in his victory over Sin and Death."
In closing Rutledge pens, "The season of Epiphany offers an opportunity to focus for several weeks on the glory of Christ as the second person in the Trinity, in all his intrinsic, immutable, inestimable glory, which can never go away."
Amen!
KEY QUOTE: "The season of Epiphany is designed to show that there is no road to the glory of God through human seeking; it cannot be summoned by human endeavor. It cannot be repeated too often: it comes as pure gift. It is revealed only from God's being, from his will and his self-revelation, for the salvation of his creatures."
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August 11, 2023
"Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ's Glory" by Fleming Rutledge is a thought-provoking exploration of the lesser-known yet deeply significant season of Epiphany within the Christian calendar. Rutledge, a priest and theologian, delves into the profound themes and meanings behind Epiphany, inviting readers to engage with the richness of this season beyond its association with the visit of the Magi.
The book is centered around the declaration from the prologue of the Gospel of John: "We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." Rutledge skillfully uses this line to frame the overarching theme of Epiphany—the manifestation of Christ's glory. While Christmas marks the birth of Christ, Epiphany serves as a continuation of the revelation of Christ's divine nature and purpose.
Rutledge's writing is insightful and scholarly, yet accessible to readers of various backgrounds. She delves into the primary biblical texts and narratives that define the season of Epiphany, guiding readers through the themes, symbols, and narratives that make this season significant. The author's theological depth and passion for the subject shine through in her writing, engaging readers in a meaningful exploration of the Epiphany season.
The book not only emphasizes the visit of the Magi but also delves into other moments and stories that showcase the revelation of Christ's glory. Rutledge draws connections between various biblical passages and explores how they contribute to the overarching theme of Epiphany. This comprehensive approach offers readers a more holistic understanding of the season and its significance.
The "Fullness of Time" series, to which this book belongs, aims to help readers engage with the various seasons of the church calendar. "Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ's Glory" effectively achieves this goal by offering readers a detailed and informed exploration of the themes, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals associated with the Epiphany season.
In conclusion, "Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ's Glory" is a scholarly yet accessible guide to understanding and appreciating the Epiphany season within the Christian calendar. Fleming Rutledge's expertise and passion for the subject shine through in her writing, inviting readers to delve deeper into the themes of revelation, glory, and divine manifestation. This book is an excellent resource for individuals seeking to engage more fully with the rich theological meanings behind Epiphany and its significance in the Christian faith.
The book is centered around the declaration from the prologue of the Gospel of John: "We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." Rutledge skillfully uses this line to frame the overarching theme of Epiphany—the manifestation of Christ's glory. While Christmas marks the birth of Christ, Epiphany serves as a continuation of the revelation of Christ's divine nature and purpose.
Rutledge's writing is insightful and scholarly, yet accessible to readers of various backgrounds. She delves into the primary biblical texts and narratives that define the season of Epiphany, guiding readers through the themes, symbols, and narratives that make this season significant. The author's theological depth and passion for the subject shine through in her writing, engaging readers in a meaningful exploration of the Epiphany season.
The book not only emphasizes the visit of the Magi but also delves into other moments and stories that showcase the revelation of Christ's glory. Rutledge draws connections between various biblical passages and explores how they contribute to the overarching theme of Epiphany. This comprehensive approach offers readers a more holistic understanding of the season and its significance.
The "Fullness of Time" series, to which this book belongs, aims to help readers engage with the various seasons of the church calendar. "Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ's Glory" effectively achieves this goal by offering readers a detailed and informed exploration of the themes, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals associated with the Epiphany season.
In conclusion, "Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ's Glory" is a scholarly yet accessible guide to understanding and appreciating the Epiphany season within the Christian calendar. Fleming Rutledge's expertise and passion for the subject shine through in her writing, inviting readers to delve deeper into the themes of revelation, glory, and divine manifestation. This book is an excellent resource for individuals seeking to engage more fully with the rich theological meanings behind Epiphany and its significance in the Christian faith.
January 13, 2024
I have to say, I'm a bit confused by some of the other Goodreads reviews of this book. Three or four others have stated that this book is "scholarly," but this is very much not the case. Rutledge writes with free, devotional prose - almost colloquial at points - and reminds me of many Catholic mystics. The book is definitely not academic in nature. In fact, despite Rutledge's dynamic writing style, some of my issues with this book are precisely the places where she makes rigid, decisive claims with no real exegetical support. This is definitely a book written for a popular audience, which is its aim, so on that end, Rutledge succeeds.
On the whole, I thought the book was insightful. Epiphany might be the least known and least understood feast on the church calendar, and by reading this, I think people will definitely learn things about the purpose of Epiphany that they did not know previously.
I struggled with the book at two points. First, Rutledge often makes claims without support. Some of these might be right, but they needed to be unpacked. For example, she claims that the miracle at Cana foreshadows the cross and the glory of Jesus. OK, interesting. Tell me more. She doesn't. She just states this, and immediately changes the subject. At other points, she makes claims that I do not think can be supported by careful exegesis. For example, she follows that often repeated claim that the beatitudes are not exhortations. Recent research by a few different scholars has made an excellent case that exhortation is absolutely implied in the language of "makarios" (the first Greek word in each beatitude).
Second, I found the sequencing of the book far too jumpy. It's a popular level book, and I still found myself having to reread paragraphs because she had changed the subject in awkward places, and I was thinking about one idea while she had abruptly moved on to another. It was, overall, a decent read, but a consistently distracted one.
Overall, a solid book for anyone that knows little to nothing about the season of Epiphany. At the least, readers will learn a bit more about the moments in Jesus' life that are emphasized by this season.
On the whole, I thought the book was insightful. Epiphany might be the least known and least understood feast on the church calendar, and by reading this, I think people will definitely learn things about the purpose of Epiphany that they did not know previously.
I struggled with the book at two points. First, Rutledge often makes claims without support. Some of these might be right, but they needed to be unpacked. For example, she claims that the miracle at Cana foreshadows the cross and the glory of Jesus. OK, interesting. Tell me more. She doesn't. She just states this, and immediately changes the subject. At other points, she makes claims that I do not think can be supported by careful exegesis. For example, she follows that often repeated claim that the beatitudes are not exhortations. Recent research by a few different scholars has made an excellent case that exhortation is absolutely implied in the language of "makarios" (the first Greek word in each beatitude).
Second, I found the sequencing of the book far too jumpy. It's a popular level book, and I still found myself having to reread paragraphs because she had changed the subject in awkward places, and I was thinking about one idea while she had abruptly moved on to another. It was, overall, a decent read, but a consistently distracted one.
Overall, a solid book for anyone that knows little to nothing about the season of Epiphany. At the least, readers will learn a bit more about the moments in Jesus' life that are emphasized by this season.
January 28, 2024
This is another volume in the Fullness of Time series from Intervarsity Press. I'm not 100% sure of the order that they are supposed to go in, but I figure, since they are following the Church calendar, Advent should be first, followed by Christmas, and then this one, Epiphany. And that's the order I have read them in. It is my humble opinion that Fleming Rutledge has done a magnificent job of presenting "the season of glory."
All of these books, so far, have blessed me tremendously. At this point, I am hard-pressed to pick a favorite between Epiphany and Advent. Each book has been organized differently, which is fine, considering they are all by different authors. I would say that I probably have learned the most from this one. For most of my life (at least the part where I even knew about Epiphany), I pretty much just thought of Epiphany as the day the wise men showed up at the house of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. And while that day is the basis for the event, there is much more to it than that.
Many people don't consider Epiphany a "season," but I have come to think of it that way, myself, and Ms. Rutledge presents it in that way, as well. She highlights so much more, though, than the Magi visit. Included in this book are chapters about the baptism of Jesus, the transfiguration of Jesus, His first miracle, and the Sermon on the Mount (as well as the lesser known Sermon on the Plain). There are ten chapters, plus an introduction and conclusion, but the book finishes up at only 167 pages, so it's not a long read. I basically read a portion of a chapter (sometimes the whole chapter) during my morning devotionals, beginning on January 6.
The last chapter takes us to what Fleming Rutledge calls "The Mission," which is, of course, Jesus's instructions to His disciples shortly before His Ascension. And conclusion, which she calls a "Coda," consists of "Doxology," which is fitting, because "doxa" is a word that occurs numerous times throughout the book. It is the Greek word for "glory," and "doxology," literally means "to speak glory."
Extremely well-written, with plenty of research and notes, I highly recommend this little book for anyone looking to delve deeper into the mystery and beauty of the Church calendar and Epiphany.
All of these books, so far, have blessed me tremendously. At this point, I am hard-pressed to pick a favorite between Epiphany and Advent. Each book has been organized differently, which is fine, considering they are all by different authors. I would say that I probably have learned the most from this one. For most of my life (at least the part where I even knew about Epiphany), I pretty much just thought of Epiphany as the day the wise men showed up at the house of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. And while that day is the basis for the event, there is much more to it than that.
Many people don't consider Epiphany a "season," but I have come to think of it that way, myself, and Ms. Rutledge presents it in that way, as well. She highlights so much more, though, than the Magi visit. Included in this book are chapters about the baptism of Jesus, the transfiguration of Jesus, His first miracle, and the Sermon on the Mount (as well as the lesser known Sermon on the Plain). There are ten chapters, plus an introduction and conclusion, but the book finishes up at only 167 pages, so it's not a long read. I basically read a portion of a chapter (sometimes the whole chapter) during my morning devotionals, beginning on January 6.
The last chapter takes us to what Fleming Rutledge calls "The Mission," which is, of course, Jesus's instructions to His disciples shortly before His Ascension. And conclusion, which she calls a "Coda," consists of "Doxology," which is fitting, because "doxa" is a word that occurs numerous times throughout the book. It is the Greek word for "glory," and "doxology," literally means "to speak glory."
Extremely well-written, with plenty of research and notes, I highly recommend this little book for anyone looking to delve deeper into the mystery and beauty of the Church calendar and Epiphany.
January 13, 2025
If you didn’t know anything about Fleming Rutledge before you began her tome on Epiphany, you would certainly quickly ascertain for yourself that she is a theological scholar. One of the first women to be ordained by the Episcopal church, she has spent her life studying the Bible and serving as a priest. As an author she has written many books and is known as an expert on the works of Tolkien. There is no fluff to be found in Epiphany: The Season of Glory.
Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 as the day the Magi brought their gifts to the Christ child, manifesting the glory of God and acknowledging the inclusion of Gentiles in the worship of Jesus. The day in many churches is extended into a season which celebrates other events in which the glory of God is preeminent: the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, the miracle of wine at Cana, and the transfiguration on the mountain top.
This book explains why we celebrate the day and season of Epiphany. It is a deep study which answers many questions for the reader and may well initiate many new questions. It is a work that requires time, careful reading, and thought. As other theological books, there are footnotes at the end. Many are reference sources for ideas and quotes in the book. Rutledge’s footnotes, however, include expansions on the various topics within and enlarge the experience for the reader. They are as interesting and thought provoking as the main body of the book.
Epiphany: The Season of Glory is part of the Fullness of Time Series which seeks to explain the liturgical calendar of many churches such as Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran. Many other churches are also finding renewal through experiencing the traditional seasons. As the editor of the series states “We want readers to understand how the church is forming them in the likeness of Christ through the church calendar.” The six books in the series are by different authors and can be read as standalones. This book is more intellectually challenging than the other books in the series, but they are all worthy reads.
Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 as the day the Magi brought their gifts to the Christ child, manifesting the glory of God and acknowledging the inclusion of Gentiles in the worship of Jesus. The day in many churches is extended into a season which celebrates other events in which the glory of God is preeminent: the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, the miracle of wine at Cana, and the transfiguration on the mountain top.
This book explains why we celebrate the day and season of Epiphany. It is a deep study which answers many questions for the reader and may well initiate many new questions. It is a work that requires time, careful reading, and thought. As other theological books, there are footnotes at the end. Many are reference sources for ideas and quotes in the book. Rutledge’s footnotes, however, include expansions on the various topics within and enlarge the experience for the reader. They are as interesting and thought provoking as the main body of the book.
Epiphany: The Season of Glory is part of the Fullness of Time Series which seeks to explain the liturgical calendar of many churches such as Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran. Many other churches are also finding renewal through experiencing the traditional seasons. As the editor of the series states “We want readers to understand how the church is forming them in the likeness of Christ through the church calendar.” The six books in the series are by different authors and can be read as standalones. This book is more intellectually challenging than the other books in the series, but they are all worthy reads.
December 16, 2023
This book by renowned priest and author Fleming Rutledge focuses on the lesser-known liturgical season of Epiphany. Rutledge explains what Epiphany is and why it is an important part of the church calendar, saying that this season highlights "various epiphanies of the glory of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God." Throughout the book, she explores Epiphany through both narrative and theological lenses, explaining what we learn about Jesus from stories such as the visit of the Magi, Jesus's baptism, his early miracles, and his transfiguration.
This book will appeal to Christians who practice liturgical forms of worship and want to further explore Epiphany, and it will also appeal to people from low church backgrounds who want to learn more about the church calendar and this season. Rutledge's academic style is best for pastors and theologically minded readers, but even though the writing is fairly highbrow, Rutledge focuses on essentials of the faith without getting into technical or esoteric side topics. Rutledge also includes practical applications and helpful asides for pastors and teachers, sharing ideas for how they can celebrate Epiphany in their churches, and she boldly speaks out against popular errors, whether it is co-opting Jesus to promote your personal politics or thinking of him as a good moral teacher while ignoring his divinity and lordship.
Epiphany: The Season of Glory is a thoughtful, eloquent, and impassioned tribute to the importance of this liturgical season, which emphasizes the glory of Christ. Rutledge's love for Jesus comes through clearly in her writing, as does her care for the church. This book is an excellent resource for pastors and teachers who want to better understand Epiphany and guide their congregations towards a greater delight in Jesus, and this will also encourage and bless laypeople who care about the topic.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book will appeal to Christians who practice liturgical forms of worship and want to further explore Epiphany, and it will also appeal to people from low church backgrounds who want to learn more about the church calendar and this season. Rutledge's academic style is best for pastors and theologically minded readers, but even though the writing is fairly highbrow, Rutledge focuses on essentials of the faith without getting into technical or esoteric side topics. Rutledge also includes practical applications and helpful asides for pastors and teachers, sharing ideas for how they can celebrate Epiphany in their churches, and she boldly speaks out against popular errors, whether it is co-opting Jesus to promote your personal politics or thinking of him as a good moral teacher while ignoring his divinity and lordship.
Epiphany: The Season of Glory is a thoughtful, eloquent, and impassioned tribute to the importance of this liturgical season, which emphasizes the glory of Christ. Rutledge's love for Jesus comes through clearly in her writing, as does her care for the church. This book is an excellent resource for pastors and teachers who want to better understand Epiphany and guide their congregations towards a greater delight in Jesus, and this will also encourage and bless laypeople who care about the topic.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2023
As soon as our children were old enough to understand the Christmas story, we started the Advent tradition of hiding the wise men. They moved throughout the house in a game of hide and seek until January 6th, Epiphany, when they finally came to rest at the manger scene.
Because this has been my only observance and understanding of Epiphany, I was eager to dig into Fleming Rutledge’s Epiphany: The Season of Glory. Her insights will add depth to my celebration this year because of the day’s scriptural roots in multiple epiphanies (or manifestations) of Christ’s glory from his baptism, his first miracle, and the transfiguration,
Twenty-first-century believers need this succinct tutorial on the glory of Christ to encourage our celebration of this overlooked date on the church calendar. I was surprised to learn that the January 6th date for Epiphany was established long before the December 25th date for Christmas. Rutledge’s long years of serving the church are evident in the very practical guidance she offers for celebrating the feast.
Of course, a meaningful celebration of the church gathered for any date on the church calendar begins with individual hearts committed to worship and solemn reflection upon our answer to one of the most important questions Scripture poses: “Who do you say that I am?” Our response to the revelation of Jesus’s identity and power will shape our response to his teaching. We cannot shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory if we have failed to see it.
Many thanks to IV Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Because this has been my only observance and understanding of Epiphany, I was eager to dig into Fleming Rutledge’s Epiphany: The Season of Glory. Her insights will add depth to my celebration this year because of the day’s scriptural roots in multiple epiphanies (or manifestations) of Christ’s glory from his baptism, his first miracle, and the transfiguration,
Twenty-first-century believers need this succinct tutorial on the glory of Christ to encourage our celebration of this overlooked date on the church calendar. I was surprised to learn that the January 6th date for Epiphany was established long before the December 25th date for Christmas. Rutledge’s long years of serving the church are evident in the very practical guidance she offers for celebrating the feast.
Of course, a meaningful celebration of the church gathered for any date on the church calendar begins with individual hearts committed to worship and solemn reflection upon our answer to one of the most important questions Scripture poses: “Who do you say that I am?” Our response to the revelation of Jesus’s identity and power will shape our response to his teaching. We cannot shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory if we have failed to see it.
Many thanks to IV Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
October 26, 2023
Epiphany, the third book in Fleming Rutledge's Fullness of Time series goes into great detail about the Epiphany, which is January 6 on the calendar. It is the day believed to be when three wise men from the East, known as Casper, Melchoir and Balthazar, came to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. They bestowed on him their gifts: gold, myrrh, and frankincense. To Rutledge's credit as a theologian, the book is a scholarly read that assumes the reader is knowledgeable about the traditions and Scriptures of Christianity.
The depth of Rutledge's knowledge is presented in a thesis style document, speaking the way a lawyer would when presenting a case before a judge. But most readers are often not judges so at times, the reader needs to take time to absorb the material to understand the meaning of the message. Rutledge writes in the language of philosophers, similarly to St. Augustine in his tome City of God and the multiple works of St. Thomas Aquinas. The tone is very serious and the analysis is meticulously detailed. Rutledge's book is designed for serious minded readers, and would most appeal to Rutledge's own colleagues
The depth of Rutledge's knowledge is presented in a thesis style document, speaking the way a lawyer would when presenting a case before a judge. But most readers are often not judges so at times, the reader needs to take time to absorb the material to understand the meaning of the message. Rutledge writes in the language of philosophers, similarly to St. Augustine in his tome City of God and the multiple works of St. Thomas Aquinas. The tone is very serious and the analysis is meticulously detailed. Rutledge's book is designed for serious minded readers, and would most appeal to Rutledge's own colleagues
December 28, 2023
Even though I grew up learning about the liturgical church calendar, Epiphany is definitely the season that I feel was the least emphasized and that I know the least about. Epiphany is not just the day that we celebrate the visit of the Magi, but also a season devoted to discovering the glory of God. This book was definitely very informative and academic. I will most assuredly have to come back and read this again as I ponder about the glory of God. I highly recommend this book for those who want to learn more about the liturgical church calendar.
"The season of Epiphany is designed to show that there is no road to the glory of God through human seeking; it cannot be summoned by human endeavor. It cannot be repeated too often: it comes as pure gift."
"The light that belongs to God's self is uncreated, because it precedes creation."
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
"The season of Epiphany is designed to show that there is no road to the glory of God through human seeking; it cannot be summoned by human endeavor. It cannot be repeated too often: it comes as pure gift."
"The light that belongs to God's self is uncreated, because it precedes creation."
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 17, 2023
This is the third book in this series that I have read (others are Advent and Christmas), and like the others, I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. I did not grow up in a liturgical church, so I didn't know anything about the season of Epiphany. I really enjoyed learning more about this season between Christmas and Lent and why it is important in the Christian year. This writer seemed to be a little more theologically focused than the other two I have read, so it was a little harder to read, but I am glad I have learned more about this important season in the church year.
I have already preordered a copy of this book for when it is published.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
I have already preordered a copy of this book for when it is published.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
January 4, 2024
I love the premise of this book! I like to say that I was born into a pew at the Presbyterian church where my grandfather pastored for many years--in other words, that liturgy is in my blood. It's certainly seen a resurgence in my own life over the past few years, and I love it.
So, I was really excited to pick up this read. It proved a bit dry/scholarly for my taste (and had a few rather one-sided/disproportionate statements I felt would have merited from further expansion, or at least equal review on the other side of the political spectrum), so is a DNF at this time. Maybe not my best introduction to Rutledge as an author; not sure what would be better.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
So, I was really excited to pick up this read. It proved a bit dry/scholarly for my taste (and had a few rather one-sided/disproportionate statements I felt would have merited from further expansion, or at least equal review on the other side of the political spectrum), so is a DNF at this time. Maybe not my best introduction to Rutledge as an author; not sure what would be better.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 20, 2025
This book has a lot of good stuff in it. If I had to boil it down, I would say it focuses on how the glory of God was made manifest in Christ Jesus. I find that having come in and out of liturgical churches my whole life, I never really "got the hang of" what the liturgy is trying to do. I found this book very educational in the foundation of what's going on during the festival of Epiphany and the season that follows it.
I enjoyed the focus on the glory of God. I honestly hadn't understood the inclusion of the various events of Jesus' life year after year and how they were selected to tell a particular portion of the story. I appreciate the pastor's insight into what he has learned about this.
I believe I will come back to this book and reread it. I recommend it.
I enjoyed the focus on the glory of God. I honestly hadn't understood the inclusion of the various events of Jesus' life year after year and how they were selected to tell a particular portion of the story. I appreciate the pastor's insight into what he has learned about this.
I believe I will come back to this book and reread it. I recommend it.
December 5, 2023
Epiphany covered a subject that I knew little to nothing about: the liturgical calendar. Of course, the emphasis was on the Epiphany season from January 6 to the start of Lent. I found it interesting, but not easy reading. I liked how the writer had Jesus and his glory at the forefront. Author Fleming Rutledge demonstrated how following the liturgical calendar could help Christians more clearly see God's glory.
I would recommend this to Christians desiring to learn more about Epiphany and to pastors and worship leaders wanting to know how and why to incorporate it into their services.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this fascinating study.
I would recommend this to Christians desiring to learn more about Epiphany and to pastors and worship leaders wanting to know how and why to incorporate it into their services.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this fascinating study.
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