The Word Made Flesh: The language of Jesus in his stories and prayers

by Eugene H. Peterson

Book four of Eugene Peterson's landmark SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY series: foundational reading for the twenty-first-century church.

Continuing Peterson's evaluation of contemporary Christian Spirituality, THE WORD MADE FLESH is an extended meditation on language and the way it should be used in Christian community.


As with the first three books in the series, THE WORD MADE FLESH is written for both lay and academic audiences. Challenging but deeply rewarding, it combines scholarship with the human experience and lightness of touch for which Peterson is known.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Anne Tissier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a research project, only to find that it 'researched me'!

The book has the usual richness and insights that Peterson brings to both his writing and his understanding of scripture. It's theme revolves around language, and the way we use it in community and with God, emphasising that such language should be one and the same.
In Part one, we listen to Jesus talking with people as He journeyed towards Jerusalem. In Part two, we keep company with Him through six of His prayers. Yet, Peterson's familiar combining of scholarship with human experience, shone a light into unexpected places of my heart.

I have spent many months in this book, so it was pure coincidence that I found myself reading the chapters on Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane then from the cross, during the week leading up to Easter (April 2022). To say I was deeply moved is an understatement. As is the fact this book has enriched my life more than I could have expected.

[Frank Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent book by Peterson. In this volume the author included two separable sections, such that the book could easily have been two shorter separate volumes. The first part, where Peterson is reflecting on the stories of Jesus was outstanding and highly recommended. The second part where the prayers are Jesus are in focus seemed strained to me. The author has chosen to define anything spoken by Jesus to be a prayer. This may well be an accurate description, but even though I would happy to be convinced, I was not. As a result, I found the second part of the book to be very good, but not at the level of the first part. What was common in the book, and greatly appreciated is how Peterson (in keeping with his translation/paraphrase of the bible – The Message) continually stressed the physicality of Jesus and Jesus’ words. As a result, the idea of having “spiritual” language, and “spiritual” actions is both wrong and dangerous. Instead, all of our words and actions in our very physical world should be spiritual because of our relationship with Jesus.

[John McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, absorbing book!

I love Peterson’s use of language, and how he sees the Bible as a book of stories...refreshing and for me a different way to look st the parables of Jesus.

[Simon Risson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully expressed and written book that invite the reader to walk with Jesus. You are invited to wander with intent through some stories of welcome before being invited to press a little deeper into the relationship through prayer. Insightful. Full of invitation and purpose.