The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on Holy Ground

Webb, an Anglican priest and head of the Christian ministry Renovaré, applies thought processes that once guided him as a devout student of Buddhism to encourage the reader to find God in the way he did: through reading the Bible in a different way. He suggests approaching the Bible like a puzzle on which to meditate or as a mystery novel scrutinized with prior knowledge of who “did it.” Webb explores tough questions about the validity of the Bible, whether prayers are answered, the nature of God, and how and why God relates with humans. He tackles foundational questions of Christian theology, for example, why God chose to take human form, and at the end of each chapter suggests Bible readings for further meditation and study. Personal reflections and information about various figures from the church’s history are scattered amid the erudition and can be distracting when not obviously illustrating a point. Harder editing could have better organized the free range of his thoughts. Agent: Kathy Helmers. (Jan.) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.

"Beautifully written and firmly grounded in the breadth of our Christian tradition, every page is permeated with Chris's love for Scripture and the God of Scripture. If you engage even a fraction of the approaches to Scripture he describes here, your relationship with Scripture will be transformed!" -- Ruth Haley Barton, founder, The Transforming Center

"The Fire of the Word makes you want to discover the God of the Bible all over again. Chris Webb dares us to open up the pages of Scripture and enter a new place of intimacy and passion. Each chapter gives practical steps for deeply refreshing discovery to become a life-transforming habit." -- R. Lamar Vest, president and CEO, American Bible Society

"Chris Webb is a man of prayer, action and commitment, fueled always by his love of God. His warm, welcoming new text captures the high beauty of his Colorado dwelling place with his simple dwelling in Christ. Evoking world images from the green spaces of his own Welsh homeland to the dry wilderness of Jesus's own journey, he pours out his love of all Christ's people on the planet, teaching and encouraging us all the while. Here is a new, engaging master of the spiritual life." -- Emilie Griffin, author of Souls in Full Sail

"Evangelicals often peer over the fences of other traditions, seeking to learn time-tested patterns of the Christian spiritual life. Like those who precede us, we want to open ourselves up to the presence of God--the love of God, the grace of God, the person of God. In practical and authentic ways, The Fire of the Word brings together many such ancient gems and invites us specifically and practically into life-giving connection with God in the Bible. A top recommendation to all who seek a deeper, more life-shaping experience in the Scripture." -- Mindy Caliguire, author of Discovering Soul Care

"A huge abyss yawns between how much we know (or don't) about the Bible and how thoroughly we live it. Getting across that abyss is a major challenge to the Christian community. Christopher Webb wrote this book to serve as a kind of suspension bridge from knowing the Bible to living the Bible. He does it by telling stories of the people who live it, by living it himself and by using language that is energetically alive. Walk across this bridge and experience the sheer livability of the Bible." -- Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message

"Once in a great while a book points me directly to God, like the arrow of a compass that points to the true north. The Fire of the Word was exactly that for me. I found myself focused Godward with each passing page as the Spirit ravished my heart, increasing my longing to be with the eternal Word that finds its way to my heart through ink and paper in the Bible. After reading this well-written, honest, funny and wise book, the sacred Scriptures--which I can at times take for granted--are more sacred to me than ever." -- James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God

"The Fire of the Word is an inspiring call to read Scripture as a means of encountering God personally. One by one Chris removes obstacles in our view of God, of Scripture and of oursevels that stand in the way of a transforming relationship with our Bible. The book provides valuable assistance in reading our Bible wholeheartedly: with attention, imagination, reason, emotion and intention. I followed with delight his stories of childhood foolishness, art history, alcoholic friendships and more as this book empowered me to listen to the voice of God through Scripture." -- Evan B. Howard, author of the Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality

"The Fire of the Word is a marvel and a joy. How thrilling to welcome this fresh, new voice to the field of Christian spirituality. Christopher Webb has accomplished what few have succeeded in doing: he has given us courageous openings onto what a life hid with Christ in God can be like." -- From the foreword by Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline and Sanctuary of the Soul

"I would commend this book for the challenge it has made to me to think about how I read the bible." -- John R. Reid, Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring 2013