Rare is the book that challenges both mind and heart. Rarer still are ones committed equally to orthodox theology, appreciation for the arts, and respect for the life of the mind. Eugene Peterson’s Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places fits this unusual combination and delights as wells as demands much from its readers. As the first in a proposed five-volume series in what Peterson calls “spiritual theology,” this work will force readers to consider what difference it makes that Christ is Lord over creation, history, and community.
These three considerations shape the structure of the book, each section asserting a foundational truth, examining two grounding texts from Scripture, addressing a threat to that truth, and then seeking to apply it so Christians pursue the "Fear-of-the-Lord" in that aspect of life. Peterson writes with care as a theologian, compassion as a pastor, craft of a poet, and concern for the church.
He appeals to thoughtful readers, right from the introduction, with these haunting words, “The meteoric ascendancy of interest in spirituality in recent decades is largely fueled by a profound dissatisfaction with approaches to life that are either aridly rationalistic, consisting of definitions, explanations, diagrams, and instructions (whether by psychologists, pastors, theologians, or strategic planners), or impersonally functional, consisting of slogans, goals, incentives, and programs (whether by advertisers, coaches, motivational consultants, church leaders, or evangelists). There comes a time for most of us when we discover a deep desire within us to live from the heart what we already know in our heads and do with our hands.”
The title of the book comes from a line from a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem and frequent allusions or quotations to poetry sprinkle the text with charm and imagination. Reading the book transports you between theology, poetry, discipleship, history, and a handful of other perspectives in a way that challenges and strengthens in penetrating ways.
Peterson works hard to distinguish his approach from others without condemning or demeaning them. “Spiritual theology” is different from systematic theology because it seeks to apply as well as inform. It is distinct from devotional literature because it looks more deeply at the Biblical text (at times approaching or even surpassing the level of some commentaries). It is more convicting than pastoral reflection because it sounds like the Prophets, with insightful application in light of Christ’s atonement and resurrection.
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places is an ideal book for professors and academically serious Christians who want to apply the same depth of thought to their spiritual lives as they bring to their academic research.
Reviewed by: Randy Newman
