The Trial of Job: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Book of Job

by Patrick Henry Reardon

"The book of Job always constituted essential and formative reading about the ways of the soul. This has always been the conviction of the spiritual classics through the centuries. Yet, for some reason, the figure of Job is elusive to us-possibly because by seems so comfortably distant; or perhaps because he seems so frightfully close. What Fr. Patrick Reardon achieves with this book is to render Job comprehensible, tangible and accessible. Ultimately, all of us identify with one or another aspect of Job's life. As life inevitably informs and as this book intuitively confirms, one cannot sing Psalms without having read Job." - Fr. John Chryssavgis

Genres: Christian, Theology, Biblical Studies, Spirituality, Scripture, Religion, Faith

107 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Patrick Henry Reardon is pastor of All Saints' Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois, and a senior editor of Touchstone magazine.

Father Patrick was educated at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), St. Anselm's College (Rome), The Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome), and St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary (South Canaan, PA).

He has authored many books including: Christ in the Psalms, Christ in His Saints, The Trial of Job: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Book of Job, Chronicles of History and Worship: Orthodox Christian Reflections on the Books of Chronicles, and Creation and the Patriarchal Histories: Orthodox Reflections on the Book of Genesis.

In addition, Father Patrick has published over a thousand articles, editorials, and reviews, in "Books and Culture", "Touchstone", "The Scottish Journal of Theology", "The Catholic Biblical Quarterly", "Pro Ecclesia", "St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly", and other journals on three continents over the past forty-plus years.

Reviews

[Justine Olawsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely delightful journey through Job under the guidance of a priest in the Antiochian Orthodox tradition. This is the most charming commentary I have ever read on my favorite OT book. How glad I am that I stumbled upon it while researching an academic paper on the Book of Job.

I would recommend this slim volume to any Bible student seeking a sailing companion in the fascinating and often murky waters of Job. While the author, Fr. Patrick Reardon (how is a man with a name like that not a Roman Catholic priest?), warns that "nowhere in these pages will anyone discover the faintest trace of scholarship" (16), he certainly brings to this treatment a knowledge of Scripture and Church tradition that is both deep and wide and wholly integrated - and a lack of citation and academic-speak that is simply refreshing for this exhausted grad student.

One quick note: Having written a paper in my first grad school class on Leviathan in Job (I TOLD you it's my favorite OT book!), I was tickled and intrigued by Fr. Reardon's summation of Chapter 41:

It is remarkable that God's last narrative to Job resembles nothing so much as a fairy tale, or at least that darker part of a fairy tale that deals with dragons. Instead of pleading His case with Job, as Job has often requested, the Lord deals with him as with a child. Job must return to his childhood's sense of awe and wonder, so the Lord tells him a children's story about a couple of unimaginably dangerous dragons. These dragons, nonetheless, are only pets in the hands of God. Job is left simply with the story. It is the Lord's final word in the argument. (104)

That is just a sample of the toothsome writing and delicious reflections crammed into this tiny little book.

[Chris Heren · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best "takes" on Job that I have read - I will be picking up other works by Fr. Reardon because of this text. He beautifully addresses key existential concerns regarding the status of Job and God's justice, as well as how Job points to Christ in ways that at times might have slipped by even the most careful reader.

Excellent example of understanding a text "with the mind of the fathers."

[Benjamin Reardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All through the book, Job has been insisting on his own righteousness. He repeats the theme over and over, in the face of the protestations of his unhelpful friends. At the end, however, God shows something of Himself to Job's inner vision, and no longer is our questioner able with confidence to call himself a righteous man. On the contrary, he falls down in humility and self-contempt: "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, / But now my eye sees You. / Therefore, I abhor myself, | And repent in dust and ashes" (42:5-6).
This is the whole Bible's definitive word, in fact, about the prospects of human righteousness: that it won't work. One finds salvation only in faith, repentance, a healthy contempt of self, and a saving trust in God's fidelity to His promises.”

An inspiring, moving, and engaging commentary on the Book of Job. Intellectually and spiritually rich. Though not intended as a commentary, the author provides invaluable insights into this book of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Such a powerful read, and available in manageable, bite-sized chunks. Highly reccomend.

[Josh McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent spiritual reflection on the practicality and application of one of the Bible's most dense and misunderstood books. It isn't, as the author states, a scholarly piece, but it is a valuable expression of what's happening in Job and why it matters. I highly recommend to any who wish to study the Bible, their spirituality, and even those seeking to understand story.

[David Mohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best expositions of the Book of Job I've ever read. As usual, Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon is highly readable, and pulls you right into understanding the core elements, while making perfectly clear sense of the more mysterious elements of the story about Job. Instead of a mere academic treatise, I found this to be personally applicable and helpful in my own life.

[Jimbob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting practical take on the book of Job. It works best, if you read the book of Job as you read this book.

The book consists of a short (3-5 pages) chapter for each of the 42 chapters that comprise the book of Job.

[David Monreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to the book of Job. The author is sympathetic to Job’s “friends” but he does not hesitate to show where they are severely mistaken. Reads like a theological devotional book.

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking collection of chapter-by-chapter reflections on Job from a Greek Orthodox perspective. There is a fair amount of unsubstantiated connections (linguistic and historical) put forward by the author. But all in all, a useful read.

[Sascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a book on his own thoughts, not a full length commentary but a good read side-to-side with the book of Job.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Reardon

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been a long time since I've read the entire book of Job. I enjoyed having this study guide to work along side with the book. Excellent commentaries by Fr. Patrick. However, if you're looking for something really in depth you may want to look elsewhere. This is more of a chapter by chapter overview, but still, it is quite helpful.

[Josh Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book. It isn't an in-depth commentary on the book of Job, but instead Reardon shares his musings and thoughts on each chapter without diving into every detail. Quick read, but packed with keen insights.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid exegesis of that troubling book, Job. Presents the understanding of the ancient Church of this document.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. An easy read. Each chapter is a summary of a chapter from the book of Job. I've read other things on Job, so this had no real revelations.

[Nancy Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fairly simple a

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short chapters on each of the chapters of Job. Job is a book that I've struggled with, and I appreciated Father Patrick's insights and comments about the book.