Gifts of the Dark Wood: Seven Blessings for Soulful Skeptics

by Eric Elnes

A guidebook for spirituality in an uncertain world. Though commonly understood as a place to be feared and avoided, the Dark Wood is the surest place to meet God, writes Dr. Eric Elnes (author of The Phoenix Affirmations and Asphalt Jesus ). It is a place where you may feel uncertain, empty, lost, tempted, and alone. Yet these feelings - these gifts of the Dark Wood - can be your greatest assets on your journey. According to the ancients, you don't need to be a saint or spiritual master to experience profound awakening. You don't even have to be "above average." All you really need to be is struggling .

In clear and lucid prose that combines the heart of a mystic, the soul of a poet, and the mind of a biblical scholar, Dr. Eric Elnes demystifies the seven gifts bestowed in the Dark Wood: the gifts of uncertainty, emptiness, being thunderstruck, getting lost, temptation, disappearing, and the gift of misfits.

This is a book for anyone who feels awkward in their search for God, who seeks to find holiness amid their holy mess, who prefers practicality to piety when it comes to finding their place in this world.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology, Church, Religion, Christianity, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many turn to religion for signs of certainty. The Bible says, I believe it, that settles it. If you don't ask too many questions, you might find solace or stability in an often changing world. Life of course is more random than this would seem to allow, but if you can close your eyes and hold fast you might not have to worry too much.

Many others of us recognize that life is complex, and the life of the Spirit is complex as well. The question is -- can we find peace and joy in the midst of what Eric Elnes calls the Dark Wood. What is the Dark Wood? It is a place marked by emptiness, uncertainty, lostness, being thunderstruck, temptation, disappearance, and becoming a misfit. What might look like curses to some, Elnes believes are blessings.

Elnes is a United Church of Christ pastor serving a church in Omaha with a Princeton PhD in New Testament. He serves as a guide for this journey. He invites us to release our mythological imagination, and let the stories of faith and Scripture find resonance. While he serves as guide, he invites us also to engage with the Holy Spirit, whom he calls here "Unexpected Love." Why unexpected? Elnes writes that like taking breathes, "we usually don't notice the Spirit acting in our lives until we start paying attention" (p. 14). In this book, Elnes seeks to offer us ways in which we can slow down enough to pay attention so that we might experience blessing.

Elnes writes with an accessible style, but there is depth to what he writes. For those who want "straight answers" this book might not suffice. That's not his purpose. Indeed, he suggests that instead of looking for right belief or even right action, but instead right failure might not be a bad thing.

If we need a "hero" for the journey, in the end Elnes points us to Peter, who took risks and yet was blessed. It was Peter who heeded (with cautiousness) the Spirit who revealed a new way of being the people of God while in a dream on the top of a roof. The story of Peter's vision and subsequent trip to the house of Cornelius has long had a strong resonance with me. I'm sure Peter was shaken by the encounter, and yet he and the church would be transformed by it. I appreciate this word about what a modern day Peter might experience:

"If Peter were a modern-day Christian, he likely would have ignored his gut intuitions altogether and assumed that God's thoughts on the subject of non-kosher food and non-Jewish people had been permanently established in Scripture . . . Ironically, had Peter taken this modern Christian approach and his community followed suit, most modern-day Christians would be refused entry inside Christian churches!" (p. 176).

Yes, it took quite a risk on Peter's part to cross the line and embrace those whom he had previously considered an abomination (Gentiles) to share in the blessings of Jesus' realm.

So, is this a worthy read? Yes, most definitely!

[George Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having finished and completely enjoyed The Phoenix Affirmations I decided to go on to another Elnes book and picked up his most recent effort Gifts of the Dark Wood. As much as I liked Phoenix Affirmations, Dark Wood is better. The central theme is that life is a lot of time spent in challenging circumstances. Elnes calls these various experiences Dark Woods experiences. Throughout the book he relates how these Dark Woods times are not times to be avoided or run away from but are best understood and embraced as opportunities for growth. I especially liked the portion of the book where he talked about God's guidance in terms of thunder and lightning. Will be looking for an opportunity to use the DVD study that goes with this book at some point when the right context presents itself.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The soul, says Pastor Eric Elnes, has a native buoyancy. Like a rubber ball under water, it yearns to rise. This book is about “finding your place in this world at the very point where you feel furthest from it” … in the Dark Wood.

No one enters the Dark Wood of their own volition. You awaken there, by the nudge of the Holy Spirit. This, by the way, is as close as Elnes will ever get to preaching Christianity in this book. In fact, you’ll find his concept of the Holy Spirit to be respectful of multiple spiritualities (look up Convergence Christianity). There is a realm of Spirit–what Jesus called the Kingdom of God–that intersects our world, or as some say, infuses it. Any religion with no contact with this Holy Spirit is a sham, insists Elnes.

In the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus offers examples of people who find deep blessing in this world. The list is surprising: those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn the loss of a loved one, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who are persecuted and slandered and discredited.

The Spirit awakens us in our personal Dark Wood, where we may find unexpected gifts awaiting us. Elnes steers us toward seven gifts that are found only where we feel unsettled. These are the gifts of uncertainty, of emptiness, of being thunderstruck, of getting lost, of temptation, of disappearing, and of misfits.

Inspiring and encouraging, witty and intelligent, this is an easy book to recommend. You can also find Elnes online at Darkwood Brew.

Abingdon Press, © 2015, 189 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4267-9413-1

[Jeanette Beland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcomed companion for those deconstructing parts of their world.

[Thomas Gouin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book did absolutely nothing for me. I read it with our Lenten study group, and clearly, I am probably not one whom this book was intended for. While I admire Eric Elnes for sharing many aspects of his faith journey, I feel that much of what he writes is a "stretch". I was not "thunderstruck" reading this book, and I found no "sweet spots" either. And to make it worse, our church did a "canned" Sunday "worship " series in Lent based on this book. It has been the most unhappy, dissatisfying Lent I have ever had. From the very first pages of this book- I knew I was in for a not so happy experience. Save your money spend it on something else!

[Andee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifts of the Dark Wood touched my soul. God didn't promise Christians an easy life. Eric Elnes shows us the gifts God does give when life doesn't seem so great. I was able to make a major life decision after reading his words - and I've given copies away to 3 different friends knowing they, too, will benefit.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you consider yourself "spiritual" but not religious, I think you'd like this book. If you like psychology, there are some great lessons here. I'm going to use this book as the basis for some facilitated labyrinth walks. Although I was kind of turned off at the beginning, the book ended up being very good.

[Susie Webster-toleno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, I found this book meaningful. As a pastor, it has also come in handy as a book that I have recommended to people who are going through dark nights of the soul. Those to whom I have recommended it have reported it to be very meaningful and encouraging to them.

[Jennie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book. With voices like Eric's and Nadia's and so many other quality main line pastors with clear and wonderful voices. I am grateful.

[Sandra Kutscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Just what I needed to read right now.

[Kathryn W Reczko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and lingering

Concepts to ponder, responder and respond to. Anyone who has struggled with life's dark moments will appreciate the inspiration of this book.

[Thomas (Tom) Baynham,Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question, one of the best books I've read and timely during this period of transition and discernment.

[Jill Bakke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much when I read it from the library, that I bought two copies - one for a friend and one for myself.

[Nancy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and filled with insights, Elnes gives new vocabulary and imagery to biblical concepts.

[Daphne Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent guide through Lent.

[Lynn Bohlmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book a lot but find myself at many times distracted by some of the points Elnes makes by a dislike for him, although I think I would like him in person. I find that much of what he says comes from a very privileged position. I am not one that usually goes right there but so many of the times he would illustrate a point or make a pronouncement, it felt so very "male." Then he would say something that was completely supportive of women too. It shows that you can be both be pro-feminist and assume that your male privilege makes your perspective universally true. The small group that I am studying this with is all female, of different ages, marital status and orientation. Yet we all were disturbed by some of his writing. A couple found him arrogant; most everyone found his sense of self and how awesome his insights were to be very off-putting. I think he does a good job of raising that there are gifts to be found in the dark moments and some chapters were really good (like the gift of the misfits) and there were very good insights. So I'm not wishing I hadn't read it. And I do appreciate his willingness to be vulnerable (vulnerable and egotistical at the same time sometimes). If you have several books to deepen your spirituality that you want to read, I would read others before this one. At least, I would if you are female.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm clearly not the intended audience for this book, and that certainly has an impact on my review of it. There were some insightful things in this book, and I underlined a few places and was even inspired a time or two. But I felt like the author made a lot of heterodox claims with no back-up. As a PhD from Princeton, I would expect some footnotes that say, "Yes, people have thought xyz about the Bible/Christianity for a long time, but I think something else, and here's why..." instead of just laying out a claim as if it's obvious. As the book went on, I also felt like he was critiquing orthodox religion as a whole for not being open enough to the Spirit's leading of an individual, while laying out another narrow path that's simply outside of tradition (but still doesn't offer much breadth of experience). Overall, I'm glad I read it, and might recommend it to friends who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," but only to that group.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to help me develop my personal sense of spirituality but without being overly religious. Although the author is a Christian pastor, a religious perspective is not forced. While I didn't relate to everything in the book, I appreciated the concept that the "Dark Wood" is an okay place to be. One quote from the book that I really enjoyed was "mistakes made while trying to be ourselves, not someone else, bring us closer to our place in this world, not farther form it".

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book for our church small group. The writing is okay and I enjoyed the topics well enough. The idea of the book is better than the actual execution. The video series that accompanies is a nice addition for group members who don't want to read or don't have time.

Favorite quotes:
"Could it be that right failure is more important to Jesus than right belief?

"Sometimes it takes a journey into darkness, even deep darkness to finally awaken to the smallness of our success-based world."

[Leighanne Medina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly I am in the minority about this book. I should begin by saying this was not a book I would normally pick up. However, I was reading it with a group at my church, which is why I finished it.

I felt like there wasn't anything new or thought-provoking for me in this book. I felt the author did a great job of being authentic and putting himself out there. However, at the end of the day, even the metaphor of the "dark wood" was lost on me.

[Tom Parlante · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that he did not spend time with his family and preferred writing. I think he got lost in the forest!

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine study to engage congregations and individuals in meeting the sacred in our most challenging times.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insightful bits.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a church study.

[George Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a Dark Wood where the true way was wholly lost.” Eric Elnes quotes this English translation of a line from Dante’s Inferno to introduce the metaphor of the Dark Wood, as a spiritual place that, he argues, can offer “gifts” to those willing to struggle through the darkness. The “gifts” Elnes enumerates in Gifts of the Dark Wood are deliberately unlikely, for example, being uncertain, feeling empty, or disappearance. Especially hard to grasp is temptation as a gift; Elnes means a temptation to do good, when the action is not suitable to the person.

Elnes appendices the book with “The Phoenix Affirmations,” twelve principles toward a practice of Christianity in harmony with other faiths rather than setting itself above all others. Elnes’s concept of gifts of the Dark Wood seems to reflect his journey from a doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary and a career as an Episcopal minister to a faith in line with the Phoenix Affirmations.

I wonder, nonetheless, whether Elnes will inspire many readers to go through the kind of journey he recommends. He offers examples of his own life, some poignant, such as a daughter’s malignant brain tumor, and others trivial, like frozen macaroni and cheese and embarrassment over a belly. These others hardly lead to contemplation of an experience of darkness.

[Brett T · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of modern popular Christian thinking centers on ideas of God being an escape hatch from suffering and doubt in life. There are probably times when this is so, but frequently we read about biblical people whose encounter with God did not provide instant clarity and freedom from all doubt and darkness. Christian history also features many such people, and in modern times Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light lets us know that even the most committed of believers sometimes finds no smooth path through faith.

Eric Elnes, pastor of a United Church of Christ congregation in Omaha, writes to those folks in 2015's Gifts of the Dark Wood. The "dark wood" of the title comes from Dante Alighieri, who begins his strange journey in Inferno in a "fearsome dark forest." Elnes suggests that rather than fearsome, for the Christian the "dark wood" of failures and doubts offers opportunities to walk more closely with God than ever before.

His willingness to honestly confront the uncertain or lousy times of life is more novel than it should be among modern believers, making Gifts a worthwhile read whether one is dealing with trials or not. The marketing of the book is less helpful. The phrase "soulful skeptics" in the subtitle sounds a lot like preening among people who consider themselves a little too sophisticated to settle for everyday religion. Publishing blurb that says the book is for "anyone who prefers practicality to piety when it comes to finding their place in this world." The older description of piety as "holy living," or actually living out what one believes in the real world despite circumstances, makes it a better description of what Elnes is talking about than the marketing person at Abingdon thought.

Original may be found here.

[Patricia M Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was used as a woman's bible group study. It is not a book that I would particularly read on my own. It was a different view point but I was not completely satisfied after reading the text. It did have a lot of thoughtful passages.

[Judy Witkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, I wasn’t sure about this book, but I completed it and I’m glad I did. I made me think; it made me consider some of my religious beliefs, and I’m glad. It pushed my boundaries a bit. I definitely recommend it.

[Janie]

not orthodox, but the thread of antithesis runs through even heterodoxy

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for a sermon series. I appreciated that it was not shy about talking about life's difficult times
Without platitudes. We need more honest conversations in safe spaces.