Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible

by Debbie Blue

From biblical times to today, people have found meaning and significance in the actions and symbolism of birds. We admire their mystery and manners, their strength and fragility, their beauty and their ugliness and perhaps compare these very characteristics to our own lives in the process. From the well-known image of the dove to the birds that gorge on the flesh of the defeated beast in Revelation, birds play a dynamic part in Scripture. They bring bread to the prophets. They are food for the wanderers. As sacrifices, they are the currency of mercy. They also challenge, offend, devour, and fight. Highlighting 10 birds throughout Scripture, author Debbie Blue explores their significance in both familiar and unfamiliar biblical stories and illustrates how and why they have represented humanity across culture, Christian tradition, art, and contemporary psyche. With these (usually) minor characters at the forefront of human imaginations, poignant life lessons illuminate such qualities as desire and gratitude, power and vulnerability, insignificance and importance and provide us with profound lessons about humanity, faith, and God's mysterious grace.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Birds, Faith, Theology, Christianity

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2013

About the author

Debbie Blue is a founding pastor of House of Mercy (HOM) in St. Paul, Minnesota. HOM is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches in the USA and is committed to the diverse and rich theology and worship of the Christian church, worldwide and historical. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Blue is the author of Sensual Orthodoxy (Cathedral Hill Press)and From Stone to Living Word (Brazos). She lives on a farm outside of the twin cities with her family.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I picked this book to review for netgalley, I didn't know the author was a rather liberal woman preacher. I enjoyed some of the info about birds, ranging from ostriches to sparrows. I learned a few things, but some of the beliefs of the author grated on me, such as apparently believing in evolution. She seemed to place undue emphasis on the character of the birds, though some of them might be helpful. The last straw was when she said the Lord may not be almighty. How many times in the Scriptures is He called Almighty? How do we have the right to contradict the inspired Word of God? I liked a few parts of the book, but overall I didn't, and can't recommend it.

[Andree Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the result of Debbie Blue's meditations on our relationship with God and the many analogies, metaphors, and the myths of birds and birds with God.

Lately, my faith seems to be evolving and leading me to doubts I never thought I would have. Bell's faith is peaceful and truly inclusive. She may have lead me down a path that I need to go to resolve my doubts and restore my faith. She has put aside the violent images of Christianity. She poses questions that are unanswerable: did Christ want to be known as an eagle (powerful, strong, quick to enter battle) or a hen (nurturing, giving, sacrificial)? Do the images of power and strength that have been used in Christianity for centuries give us a true representation of the teachings that Christ gave us? Each of the ten birds in the book is an opportunity to explore themes in Christianity: pigeons (purity and impurity), hens (freedom and domestication), pelicans (sacrifice and giving), quails (desire and slavery), ravens (failure and trust), cocks (cockiness and betrayal), sparrows (contempt and compassion), ostriches (comedy and tragedy), eagles (power and vulnerability), and vultures (ugliness and beauty).

After reading this book, I think Blue has very valid points and new ideas. She often uses her stream of consciousness to connect natural history, myth, human history and Scripture. This style helps my own stream of consciousness; my mind wanders about, connecting seemingly unrelated images and facts and ponders new ideas.

Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible will enhance my worship in my fields and woods and gives me a level of knowing and observing that will enhance my life. I have much to meditate upon because of this and this gives me comfort. I will be returning to this book frequently to strengthen my understanding of Blue's ideas.

[Peter Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Birds and I love the Gospel, but this book is a potentially dangerous interpretation of the Bible. The author uses birds to paint a picture of God that is far from theologically sound. The book compromises the integrity of Jesus in order to align with the authors views of society.

[Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books reads less like a field guide or reference book and more a 10-track album with its hits and misses (after all, the subtitle is "A PROVOCATIVE guide to Birds of the Bible"). If there is another book that this reminds me of more than any other, it is BLUE LIKE JAZZ. The author uses observations about birds to launch into theological musings, citing very little Scripture. Most of the thoughts come from her own observations about birds--often reading them back into who God is. Yes, there are great parts to this book--observations about Pelicans, Ravens, Hens, Sparrows, Cocks--all great and very helpful. But where Ms. Blue falls down is in her preaching that seems so disconnected from the Bible itself. She seems very familiar with the Jewish Rabbis and their opinions on these matters--I personally wish she was a little more familiar with the thoughts of St. Paul.

Hits: page 8, "It's always interesting to see, when you start looking around at other gods and the founding narratives of other cultures, how different the Hebrew stories are. The God who hovers over the deep in Genesis speaks a word--no screaming, threatening, breaking, and smashing--no violence at all. There are no monsters slain, no battles, fought." And page 10, describing the Holy Spirit as a dove/pigeon, "Pigeons want to be close to us. They are where we are--in some of the worst place we have made (our neglected projects and abandoned buildings) and some of the best (art museums, parks, Rome's piazzas). They won't leave us alone."
Misses: Author Debbie Blue has some fantastic observations, but most of her musings find a way to tie in left-leaning progressive tropes at every chance (oil is dooming us, climate change will kill us, consumerism is evil, etc.). She is a pastor of a church, but at times her grasp of basic, orthodox Christian doctrine is doubtful. Examples: pg 24, "We have often staked our lives, and the life of the planet, on the anthropocentric notion that we alone as humans are the crowning glory of creation. . . This sort of narcissistic tendency hasn't always been a plus for the well-being (for the life) of the material world." (Genesis 1-2?? no??). On sacrifice/bleeding for sin, page 32, "The idea that something has to die (or bleed, or hurt, or suffer) in order for something else to live is an ancient and incredibly enduring belief. But perhaps it is the father of all lies more than the mother of all truth." What?? Have you read Hebrews?
From page 143, about Jesus: "And still we've (sometimes) tried to make him out to be a superhuman--but I wonder if the point somehow is more about the ordinary." Hmm. Jesus is the God-Man.
From page 184, "We desperately want to believe in a powerful god. We want astonishing displays of power. I do. But as far as I know--as far as I can tell so far, God doesn't act this way." and 185, quoting Moltmann, "if Christ is weak and humble on earth, then God is weak and humble in heaven." Wow. This is the problem with over-reading the analogy of the hen who would have Jerusalem come under her wings and under-reading the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Page 186, "Receive me," Jesus pleads. jesus asks us to receive him. This is so different from a king demanding his subjects to bow down." Yes, but Jesus WILL act this way--see Philippians 2.
Do I recommend this book? Sure. It's a great book. I will put it on my shelf and maybe re-read it in the future. But I'll skip paragraphs next time. You can feel it coming, when she decides to start lecturing us about "Big Oil" and the planet "gasping for breath" (161).

[Valeska · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book's introduction, I thought the author sounded like my friend, Maria, from college. It seemed like they had the same tone and cadence. I may started stretching the comparison when the author chose to start with the pigeon as her first bird. I thought, "Maria and I dissected a pigeon in Ornithology our sophomore year!"

My one complaint with the book was that the author made some mistakes when discussing science. In an update, I mentioned how I had to look up the habitats of sloths because she said an eagle from the Philippines ate sloths and monkeys. Also, a previous library patron took the time to cross out Arctic and wrote in Antarctic when she discussed penguins.

Still, even with that issue, the book was a very engaging read. I liked how she talked about how the different birds are viewed in different cultures and different time periods. I also appreciated when she would discuss birds and issues with their habitat nowadays. I also learned some Bible stories. I knew about God's eye being on the sparrow and the cock crowing after Peter betrayed Jesus three times, but the entire bit from Exodus about the Israelites dying from a plague after eating quail was news to me.

I would like to read more of her work. I also added books to my To Read shelf from her recommendations. This book was a very satisfying Lenten read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, interesting look at birds in the Bible and their cultural/historical symbolism and perceptions as they apply to Scripture. The author's style is conversational, which was nice, but I struggled with some of her rhetorical questions, wondering if she was actually asking a rhetorical question or if she was really questioning some pretty fundamental Christian doctrines. If you lean conservative politically or theologically, you'll be well aware of the author's opinions but she handles them respectfully and tastefully. Although I found some of her assertions pretty questionable, there were also a few insights that I found insightful, thought-provoking, and useful. I enjoyed approaching familiar Scriptures from a perspective different from mine, to see how others think and what I could learn from a different viewpoint. Altogether a good, enjoyable read.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have not, did not, and will not finish this book. The parts about birds are quite interesting and worth reading. Pointing out the various birds that show up in the Bible is interesting. The rest of the book is not. I have simply grown tired of and impatient with an approach to Scripture that is a priori one of a “hermeneutics of suspicion,” with an assumption that one knows more and better than the scriptural authors about, well, anything.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book with excitement, but it was a big disappointment. Great idea, poor execution. There were some good points, but the author tended to ramble. Her scientific facts were way off base, and many were simple things that could have been fact checked quickly. Her view of God seems to come from what she would do/think/feel if she were God, and it reflects quite poorly on God. She's confused about her own theology, switching between things like evolution and creation in the same chapter. They can't both be true, and the points she makes based on one or the other contradict each other.

Normally, I would set a book like this aside, but I was reading it with the kids. It did give us good points for discussion about theology, logic, and the need for good editing. We were all pretty disgusted by the poor scientific knowledge and the lack of cohesive thought by the end.

[Anna Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was refreshing. It was deeply thought provoking but also light hearted and comical.

I love hearing new perspectives on overused scripture and Christian imagery. To me, it is books like this that remind me why I believe the word is living and always bringing something new to our relationship with God.

I may not have necessarily agreed with all her theology but there wasn’t a single chapter that didn’t help me think a little deeper about my own beliefs in who God is.

My favorite chapter by far was on vultures.

[Susan Halvor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of birds of the Bible — thoughtful and thought-provoking theological reflection plus lots of fun facts about birds. There was a lot that was new to me.

[Paula Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little time to figure out whether or not I liked this unusual book, and I decided I like it a lot.

To begin with, the illustrations are lovely. Debbie Blue has believed for a long time that birds represent far more than what we see. Their amazing link to dinosaurs, being able to defy gravity and fly, and migrate for miles without reading maps and compasses is just the start. She's carefully examined a selection of birds in the light of history, mythology, science, symbolism and art and written a very enlightening book that often turns our preconceptions on their heads.

Did you know that the vulture, for example, may challenge western commercial culture's narrow definition of what is beautiful? Like me, you might have thought of them as repulsive opportunists with suitably creepy looks, yet we're challenged to see them as hovering mothers and purifying cleansers of the world. Similarly, ostriches give us lessons in self-discernment and grandiosity, while the common house sparrow may challenge us to think differently about common notions of personal significance. If God's eye is on the sparrow, why are ours always roaming around, searching for something with more prestige?

I found it quite moving to see that, despite their ancient ancestry, birds can be so vulnerable to thoughtless human activity. This in seen in the examples of pelicans, sparrows, eagles and vultures in the pages of this book. Only when they are driven to the verge of extinction in certain areas does it become evident what important ecological roles they serve.

I'd have to warn anyone who just wants a field guide about birds that this isn't what you're getting. It has just as much to say about humanity and the way we choose to live. In fact, sometimes I lost the thread, found myself deep in some philosophical observation and thought, 'How did I get here?' (For example, the chapter about quail ends up making us think about making hypocrites of our children by dictating how they ought to pray.) However, you can always trace it back to the birds. Just be prepared for lots of interesting segues you wouldn't normally expect.

Overall, even though I don't entirely agree with every point Debbie Blue makes, it's a fascinating book and I'll be reading it over again. In fact, I've ordered a copy for a family member who's a keen bird watcher and also interested in philosophy.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Abingdon Press in return for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debbie Blue ends her book with the raven, described as a "mix." In pondering this book, my feelings are mixed. First of all, I loved all the wonderful facts, stories and literary illusions about the birds of the Bible. She has beautiful thoughts in making comparisons and pointing out the metaphors and symbols of these birds. Yet there is something "mixed" about her theology. In talking about the writings of John, she says, "Jesus comes so that we might have life and have it abundantly - eternal life actually is what John calls it. Whatever that means . . ." She has a doctorate in theology and she doesn't know what that means? But what really bothered me most was her take on the power of God. She has obviously been influenced by a book by Doug Frank, "A https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... God," which questions the "concept of an almighty God." (I have not read his book, but from her use of thoughts from his book, this is the message she got from him.) On Page 184 she says, "I'm not sure we could trust or love an almighty God who doesn't use almightiness to do something to keep little babies in Rwanda from being hacked to death with machetes." My thoughts -- this is the same God who did not use His almightiness to save his Son from a painful and humiliating death even though He could have, and I trust him with my salvation. Another time she writes, "What is the holy spirit -- the spirit of forgiveness and compassion?" How about the third person of the Godhead who teaches forgiveness and compassion. I have other examples of where her theology was "mixed." To give her credit, she provides a beautiful picture of the incarnation. Personally, I like a book that challenges me, that makes me think -- and that provides interesting facts about birds. But I caution any reader to use discernment.

[Joy Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is unlike any other book I've ever read, partially because I've never picked up a book on birds, previously considering the field of ornithology rather dull and possibly strange. Not so any longer! Debbie Blue took a mundane subject of birds found in the Bible and transforms it for the spiritual reader, with fascinating tidbits thrown in for good measure. For instance, did you know pigeons (a.k.a. rats with wings) are essentially the same species as doves? But doves are cute and cuddly, and pigeons we want to kick to the curb, curling our lip in disgust. And that in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to as a dove, but could also be referred to as a pigeon, depending on the translation. I would highly recommend this book to basically any reader, regardless of religious affiliation, simply for the exception meditative writing style and fascinating bird history. As for the other reviewers who hated this book, I'd be happy to take your copy off your hands. :)

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I thought I would learn interesting things about birds and also get a different view of the Bible from it. It did do both of those things for me, but I didn't enjoy the reading as much as I expected because of the book's informal, chatty style.

Consider the beginning of this paragraph: "If you look at Jesus with the idea that looking at him will tell you what God is like, God isn't about showing us how great God is. God's thing isn't power. Like, really isn't, not just like it could be but isn't" (p. 186). This is the way the book is written, and the style really detracts from the interesting things the author has to say about birds and the way birds are used to tell us about God, Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven.

In short, this book could have been great, but it needed a very firm editor, which it didn't get. It's a disappointment.

[Lramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like about a book that creates a singing, flapping, squawking,scratching, pecking, and soaring conversation between birds and the Bible? Nothing for this reader. Blue,a Lutheran pastor, parent, and sometimes farmer living in community with other like-minded souls, has a distinctive voice,original, but with inflections of the irreverence of Anne LaMott and the prosaic musings of Barbara Brown Taylor. Who knew that buzzards, quail, and the lowly sparrow could wing their way out of the Bible and show us so much about ourselves and God? My only quibble is that a little tighter editing could have prevented repetition in some of the chapters? But Blue writes well; even repetition for her garners another nod of appreciation.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I chose to consider the birds and read this lovely book. Research about ornithology, biology, wildlife community, mythology of many cultures, and more informs each chapter. The author addresses a mixed flock of biblical stories and references to God's winged creatures, from pigeon and pelican to eagle and ostrich. Faith and humor inform an understanding that often tips our usual understandings. Debbie Blue's insights and inspiration will lift many a sermon. It's book filled with Holy Spirit, a book with wings. Consider the Birds.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely not what I thought it would be. Even if the topic seems obscure this book is just beautifully written. It draws excellent Biblical exegesis with wit and wisdom. *This* is what Christian spiritual writing should look like.

[Katherine Pershey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this for the Christian Century. I loved it.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tremendously good book. Helped me to think in new and different ways about some very common stories in the Bible and some very common birds in my life. Can't recommend it highly enough!

[Melissa Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It never ceases to amaze me how different reading experiences are from person to person. Before I started typing, I noticed a review that was angry that the author is "liberal" and believes in evolution. I don't remember anything about evolution in this book, but I do recall that Ms Blue doesn't like chickens and that is upsetting and unacceptable. She called them dirty! (They are but I feel dirty nesting boxes are more a reflection of Ms Blue's poor coop upkeep than the chickens. Poop happens when it all comes out of the same hole.)

Anyway...just another reminder that we all bring our own baggage to a book which is why not every book will be for every reader (bad reviews, book bans, always reminds me of Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science).

This book is far from any kind of guide, a better description might be: one woman's musings on the birds mentioned in the Bible. She discusses quails, pigeons/doves, pelicans, vultures, eagles, roosters, hens, ostriches, sparrows, and ravens with brief mention of where they're mentioned in the Bible followed by discussion on symbolic meaning with fun facts along the way. But given this mention of evolution (was it just a sentence?) in a book about Biblical birds, provocative seems to be the hint that this isn't for just ANY Christian.

I think it's interesting that roosters and hens each have their own chapter when they are both chickens. Of course, there are no henfighting circles and there are definitely illegal (and legal) cockfighting rings around the world. Nevertheless, I found it odd that she didn't address that they are the same species, the same bird: female and male. I think it's a missed opportunity to discuss how good roosters are their to hens, how they protect them, care for them, and completely ignore the chicks. (Maybe she did mention this and I've forgotten? This was a bedtime reading selection.)

It did leave me thinking about how interesting it is that someone brought House Sparrows to North American because of Shakespeare and not because they wanted Biblical birds here. Or maybe they did but the Shakespeare arc is the one picked by the media?

And why such a limited scope? According to The Birds of the Bible (1909) by Gene Stratton-Porter a title referenced in this book, there are far more birds mentioned: bitterns, swallows, peacocks,, hawks, storks, cranes, and owls -- all missing from this "guide". I wonder if newer Bible translations have limited the species? This book does discuss how on occasion vulture and eagle have been confused? Gotta get my eyes on a copy of Ms Stratton-Porter's book.

[Bill Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my daughter noted, this book is refreshing. It made me eager to read scripture more, as well as perhaps check out a couple other authors and some ancient Jewish rabbis thoughts on the God of the Old Testament. I very much enjoyed having new perspectives on this God we think we know but who is really only known from his revealing himself to us. We should already know we were made according to “his” image and likeness “male and female” he created us according to an account in Genesis. But Jesus says, God is also like a hen protecting her brood, so it appears there’s a lot more to God than we usually think. As we consider the birds, we are called by the author to consider God too, and to consider how he perhaps feels about us. I don’t think this is in any way blasphemous. Rather, thinking we know everything about him is what is blasphemous.

[Kevin Burrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debbie Blue has an enjoyable writing style and I like the topics she chooses in this book. Unfortunately, her theological assumptions create some cringeworthy conclusions, questioning things like the power of an almighty God, the importance of Jesus as a sacrifice for sin, or the uniqueness of mankind as made in God's image. She did, after all, warn the reader in the title that the book would be "provocative." But she surrenders a lot of orthodox theological positions in the process.

I do recommend her chapters on the sparrow and the raven, and there were plenty of other gems along the way. Like a good bird, you can pick through the bugs and still find some good seed.

[Kathy Piehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to know about bird biology and lore, this book may be for you. I thought she would delve more deeply into the inclusion of various birds in the Bible so I was disappointed. Although I generally sympathize with her liberal political and theological leanings, those observations weren't what I expected. I read this book as a possible choice for a Bible/book study group at our church, but I don't think I'll recommend it because I know we will end up focusing more on the social and political aspects than delving into the Biblical texts.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, meditative, playful exploration of the birds of the bible and how considering them might lead us to a more attentive and generous way of entering the world. With a deep affection for all of God's creation and a diverse set of real life anecdotes and delightful ornithological trivia, Blue offers a set of essays that will expand the faith of any Christian and offer a laugh or diverting provocation to any unaffiliated reader interested in a new perspective. Well worth the read.

[Kris Hilburn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. While it's written by a theologic scholar (Yale University), Debbie Blue's wit and discerning spirit tease out the double meanings and plain truth of gospel. After reading this book, I'd rather be hidden under the wings of a hen, soar like a vulture, loved like a black-hearted raven, comforted by the spirit of a pigeon. I want to meet Debbie Blue.

I read this on my kindle but may need to buy the real book.

[Max Thien]

“Falling in love and identifying birds have similar effects. Normal life is altered; every experience heightened; what was mundane begins to explode with meaning. You think birds are just birds — undifferentiated fluttering, then you find one magnified in your lens. You recognize its unique markings, lines, and color. Your heart pounds. It is a cerulean warbler. It is your new mate. I believe both things have equal power to change your life.”

[Robin Carlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than I expected; the witty writing, the fresh insights, and the timeliness and timelessness of the thoughts shared and perspectives given brought this book to the top of my list for 2022. Much like Braiding Sweetgrass, Consider the Birds surprises the reader with gem after gem.

[Ruthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disoriented at the beginning, having expected a more exegetical approach rather than exploratory opinion essays, but once I adjusted to the format, I grew to appreciate the fresh perspectives and anecdotes about the way each bird was perceived throughout history. I still had a bit of a hard time getting through it, but overall, a decent read.

[Sandi Jessop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Each chapter was more interesting than the last. It offered a new way of considering the birds with not commonly known facts about each one. There was humor sprinkled throughout and I found myself chuckling aloud, looking around for someone to share it with.

[Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome combination for a bird watcher and Bible reader! So rich in the paths these observations go. I can’t wait til the lectionary rolls around to these passages. I have a new appreciation for ravens and house sparrows even!