Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC

Lexical Trilogy #1

by Frederick Buechner

In Wishful Thinking , the first book in his much-loved lexical trilogy, Frederick Buechner puts the language of God, the universe, and the human spirit under his wry linguistic microscope. In his often ironic and always keen-sighted reflections on such terms as agnostic, envy, love, and sin , he invited us to look at theses everyday words in new and enlightening ways. Freshly revised and expanded for this edition, Wishful Thinking is a "beguiling" [ Time ] adventure in language for the restless believer, the doubter, and all who love words.

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Frederick Buechner is a highly influential writer and theologian who has won awards for his poetry, short stories, novels and theological writings. His work pioneered the genre of spiritual memoir, laying the groundwork for writers such as Anne Lamott, Rob Bell and Lauren Winner.

His first book, A Long Day's Dying, was published to acclaim just two years after he graduated from Princeton. He entered Union Theological Seminary in 1954 where he studied under renowned theologians that included Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and James Muilenberg. In 1955, his short story "The Tiger" which had been published in the New Yorker won the O. Henry Prize.

After seminary he spent nine years at Phillips Exeter Academy, establishing a religion department and teaching courses in both religion and English. Among his students was the future author, John Irving. In 1969 he gave the Noble Lectures at Harvard. He presented a theological autobiography on a day in his life, which was published as The Alphabet of Grace.

In the years that followed he began publishing more novels, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist Godric. At the same time, he was also writing a series of spiritual autobiographies. A central theme in his theological writing is looking for God in the everyday, listening and paying attention, to hear God speak to people through their personal lives.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books, like Love Wins by Rob Bell, that jolt you with their glamour and hype into thinking about familiar topics in ways you hadn't before. There are other books, like Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller that soothe you with their smooth prose and lyrical lines into thinking that you're not alone in questioning familiar topics. Then there are books like Wishful Thinking by Frederick Beuchner that grab you by the heart- simultaneously jolting and soothing (while making you laugh out loud along the way).

Organized like a dictionary, Wishful Thinking, takes common Christianese and breathes new life into worn out words like charity, agnostic, sanctification, disciple, parable, doubt, righteousness, and many more. Buechner, pronounced "Beekner" (I know this because he gave himself an entry in the book), authors a book that could rival even Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary for wit and Charles Spurgeon for spiritual depth. In his author's note, Buechner says Wishful Thinking is a Doubter's Dictionary. In fact, it's a dictionary for the believer as well as the unbeliever and for anyone who loves to laugh.

One of my favorite things about this book is how willing Buechner is to point out the ironies and inconsistencies of everything Christians hold dear. On theology (and he himself a theologian) he says, "Theology is the study of God and his ways. For all we know, dung beetles may study us and our ways and call it humanology. If so, we would probably be more touched and amused than irritated. One hopes that God feels likewise."

And while much of the book is lighthearted, he never shies away from cutting his reader to the quick. On grace he says, "The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you."

Exactly.

[Jill Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your theology wry, witty and whimsical yet as hard-hitting as a punch in the guts from Manny Pacquiao, this book is for you. I was first introduced to it by a quote from it which I came across in an article about something else entirely, and it stopped me in my tracks. It’s a sort of lexicon of religious words, which doesn’t sound too promising as an easy read, but Buechner has a rare talent for redefining his theological terms in ways which are simultaneously quirkily amusing and deeply perceptive. For example, he defines ‘parable’ as ‘a small story with a large point. Most of the ones Jesus told have a sad fun about them… with parables and jokes both, if you’ve got to have it explained, don’t bother.’ He defines ‘vocation’ as the place where your deepest joy and the world’s deepest need coincide. This is a book to keep on your bog-bookshelf so that you can read and meditate on a portion of it every time you visit!

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonder. Buechner writes entries that his own definitions of everyday terms and the result is lovely, lyrical wordplay about the mystery of all things life.

Sprinkled throughout are unexpected moments of humorous delight and punches to the guy.

For example the entry for theology: "Theology is the study of God and his ways. For all we know, dung beetles may study us and our ways and call it humanology. If so, we would probably be more touched and amused than irritated. One hopes that God feels likewise."

The entry for gluttony: "a glutton is one who raids the icebox for a cure for spiritual malnutrition."

And one of if not my favorite, the entry for myth: "The raw material of a myth, like the raw material of a dream, may be something that actually happened once. But myths, like dreams, do not tell us much about that kind of actuality. The creation of Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel, Oedipus --do not tell us primarily about events. They tell us about ourselves. In popular usage, a myth has come to mean a story that is not true. Historically speaking, that may well be so. Humanly speaking, a myth is a story that is always true."

[Jeremy]

Source of this great quote: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I cannot say I embrace all of his commentary here, so much in these brief definitions are delightful and/or curmdugeonly enough to expand my understanding of the faith. Buechner provides just a fresh enough new vantage point on the familar phrases of faith to make you smile or start in wonder. Occasionally you may even disagree vehemently. That can be good for the faith as well.

"Magic is saying Abracadabra and pulling the rabbit out of the hat, is stepping on a crack to break your mother's back, is a dashboard Jesus to prevent smash-ups. Magic is going to church so you will get to Heaven. Magic is using Listerine so everybody will love you. Magic is a technique of controlling unseen powers and will always work if you do it by the book. Magic is manipulation and says, My will be done. Religion is propitiation and says, Thy will be done....

If security's what you're after, try magic. If adventure is what you're after try religion. The line between them is notoriously fuzzy."

[Mike McNichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it took me over fifty years to discover this book (it was referenced in the biography of Eugene Peterson by Winn Collier). I've purchased copies for my daughters to read and pass on to their husbands and sons.

I was familiar with Frederick Buechner and read his novel Godric a long time ago. But now I'm on a Buechner binge and hope to catch up on lost reading adventures.

Wishful Thinking is subtitled "A Seeker's ABC." I can see how cautious seekers of faith might find help in Buechner's very insightful and entertaining alphabetical listing of theological topics. But I also think it speaks very significantly to cautious Christians who are afraid to ask questions about things they don't understand or biblical declarations that get right under their skin. Buechner is fearless and he gives others permission to dip a toe in the wild side of the pool once in a while. Regardless of the reader's spiritual condition, Buechner suggests that we all are welcome to jump in because the water is just fine.

[Jaslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

SACRIFICE: “To sacrifice something is to make it holy by giving it away for love” (Buechner 83)

I lost my mind every two pages or so. Wrote down so many passages to chew on later. Buechner is such a fantastic and unsettling and thought-provoking writer... I'm literally going crazy

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these definitions were helpful, or insightful, but others were way too cutesy. You can definitely tell this is from the early 70s.

One helpful thing he tells us is that Buechner is pronounced "Beekner."

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddy B, patron saint

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it was the source of my current favorite quote: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

I found it very thought provoking.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t be objective about Buechner. He’s one of those writers whose work would be canonized if it were up to me. Some of his phrases live in me as holy scripture, and many of them are here in this little book. I read it slowly, savoring the delectable prose. Much of it I read smiling, sometimes through tears, and was reminded of conversations about Buechner with a dear seminary professor friend and my dear mother-in-law, both of whom would have been shocked to hear that he would outlive them, but such is life in all its holy and mundane mystery. I don’t know anyone who writes about it better, and reliably reminds me why I fell in love with Jesus in the first place and what it’s all for and who I really am.

[Daniella Pozo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t remember when or why I bought this book. However, I do have a distinct memory of when I tried to read it in the summer of 2023. I was sitting in a park next to the office of my internship which was located in the old gravekeeper’s house in a sprawling cemetery. Whether it was my setting or the book itself, I could not get past the first ten pages.

Now as I revisit it, I do think it’s worth reading if you are a person who wants to think about religion itself. The entries for the words are short — easy to digest if you don’t worry too much about agreeing/not and take seriously that the definitions reveal more about the author than about the words themselves. W has to be my favorite chapter followed by Truth and my least favorite sections are sprinkled throughout.

[Cherie Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Insightful, particularly enjoyed his comments on the Bible.

[Liz Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much - very poetic and profound yet down to earth !

[Thing Two · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishful Thinking is sometimes subtitled as A Seeker's ABC, and sometimes as A Theological ABC, but in reality it's Frederick Buechner defining terms frequently associated with Christianity in his ironic, and thought-provoking style which cuts through much of the bull-shit propagated by the conservatively-religious of today. Some of his examples are chapter-length, some just sentences, but all are worth pondering.

I dog-eared so many pages, I've added this one to my 'must buy' list, and "Oh, my!" I rarely buy books. One of of my favorite passages came toward the very end under Wishful Thinking:

"Christianity is mainly wishful thinking. Even the part about Judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept. Dreams are wishful thinking. Children playing at being grown-up is wishful thinking. Interplanetary travel is wishful thinking. Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth comes true on. Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it."

I think I've found a new favorite author.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the cleverest thing about this book is its length. By wisely keeping his punchy theological primer brief, entries like "OBEDIENCE (see FREEDOM)" land with some force. His definitions can be profound (SACRIFICE: To sacrifice something is to make it holy by giving it away for love) or lighthearted (PRINCIPLES: Principles are what people have instead of God), but they are always thoughtful, unexpected, and enlightening.

[Claxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buechner & I are worlds apart theologically, but this is the third book of his I've read in the last week, and I can't get enough -- he makes me think and feel. No wonder I find him quoted everywhere.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wry, witty, whimsical, wonderful...and not for those who don't understand writings outside of textbooks. The book came out in 1973 at a time, writes one reader, when all those "liberal" Christians were roaming around...insert wry chuckle here...some of us are still roaming around. Okay, so I can't let this one go. The reader thought this because Buechner wrote that "Zacchaeus is the Gospel in the sycamore. It is the best and oldest joke in the world." I don't know if I want to even spoil that wonderful comment by explaining it. But it certainly does not mean a joke like something unreal or crass. I'd say that Buechner might not be as liberal as some readers think. I do have a lot of bookmarks. I just looked at the Compassion entry. Beautiful. Very quote worthy. I won't go down that road of quoting everything I bookmarked. In paging through the book again, I see that it was actually Buechner (I thought it was a different author) who wrote about the words of the prophet who described Jesus best: "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). I needed that verse at this time of my life.

I'm also sad that it has taken me this long to "discover" Buechner, and I can't say that I really discovered him as much as his name keeps popping up in the footnotes and endnotes of the books I read. Now I understand why. He is delightful. One reader who gave this book 5 stars did say that a second read didn't gain the 5 star level only because a first read is so fresh and surprising. I have the other two books in the series and I've started the next one already. I look forward to reading many more books by Buechner. Such a lovely size as well. Bring back the days when books were this size.

[Andrew McHenry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clever book, written as a lexicon - in an alphabetical-order listing of theological terms and other thoughts that relate to Christian theology.

It consists of short, witty discourses on a variety of topics. Most of the entries are not essays; the longest ones are one to two pages. Some are just a few sentences long, so it's very readable in chunks.

Buechner is a very witty, clever writer. At its best it is both entertaining and insightful. At its worst it is susceptible to the excesses of liberal Protestantism. The title itself (as explained by its entry in the book) suggests a very relative view of theology - which, of course, begs the question: What's the point?

But overall, the book is clever enough to make it worthwhile. There is a lot of quotable content. This is a good book to review and draw from for sermons. I only wish there was a scripture index to go along with it.

[Brock Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is an unexpected and whimsical look at a host of words (A through Z) having some theological association in the mind of Frederick Buechner. I especially appreciated his entry under the word "WINE," as its use related to the Eucharist. He wrote:

"Unfermented grape juice is a bland and pleasant drink, especially on a warm afternoon mixed half-and-half with ginger ale. It is a ghastly symbol of the life blood of Jesus Christ, especially when served in individual antiseptic, thimble-sized glasses.

Wine is booze, which means it is dangerous and drunk making. It makes the timid brave and the reserved amorous. It loosens the tongue and breaks the ice especially when served in a loving cup. It kills germs. As symbols go, it is a rather splendid one."

The rest of the ABC book is equally engaging and thought provoking. Though small, the book gave me an appreciation for Buechner's wit and literary skill, and connected me with the larger range of his work—in particular, his historic novels Godric, and Son of Laughter.

[Rudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Buechner's tome of thoughtful, insightful, and maybe a bit whimsical (it is wishful thinking after all) spiritual thoughts, is somehow, more than anything, challenging. It's easy and common for believers to say they have all the answers and nothing surprises them anymore. But what I find challenging in this book is the thought that God is beyond description, and more often than not, not so bothered in explaining himself as he is deliberately behaving in "ways that are not your ways," leaving us sometimes confused but hungry for more.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buchner's theology is questionable at times, but one cannot deny the sheer talent he has with words. Buechner creatively grants the reader a fascinating dictionary and there are many pearls of beauty to be admired. "To say that God drove Adam and Eve out of Eden is apparently a euphemism for saying that Adam and Eve like the rest of us made a break for it as soon as God happened to look the other way. If God really wanted to get rid of us, the chances are He wouldn't have kept hounding us every step of the way since."

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute concept; frequently-provocative, occasionally-heavy results. Like the best works from Robert Capon, this theological dictionary errs toward imagination and playfulness over rigorous orthodoxy, and while some of the musings are merely clever, there are plenty that cast familiar (and familiarly vexing) concepts in a thoughtful new light.

[Courtney Mauzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buechner's pithy comments about theological terms arranged alphabetically. As always, his thoughts are sometimes humorous, often unusual, and always thought provoking. I am a Buechner devotee and am really happy that one of his family members has decided to carry on with his daily devotions on line.

[Rocky Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem from Frederick Beuchner who mixes subtle humor with profound depth, always approaching his faith from surprising places, and with outside-the-box thinking. This is a great book to be introduced to my favorite Christian writer.

[Sara Robbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I save 5 stars for the ones when I 1) jotted down notes for safe keeping or, 2) will be reading many times throughout my life. This wry, profound, delightful handbook was both and I recommend it to you with my whole heart.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitions of religious terms in the context of real life. From the church library-- insightful, yet funny and telling at the same time.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always a pleasure to read Buechner and there are certain moments in this volume that really shine.

[Kevin Hu]

Not Scripture by any means, but lots of interesting ways of framing familiar words and ideas. Something to be returned to in the future to stoke thoughts.

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty, humorous and concise look at biblical matters