Eugene H. PetersonChrist Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology

This book is so profound & covers so much ground that I find it hard to sum it up in a short review. But I'll try. It is a well written summary of the whole of Christian doctrine and practice for the 21st century reader. Whew! Sounds like hyperbole!But I don't think so. Unlike other popular modern Christian writings, I think you could spend a lot of time here! I've been chewing on this, off and on for a year and I still haven't digested it all. We have been using this in a weekly discussion group in our church for two years (going over it twice) and we are still at it. As a text for an adult Christian doctrine class you could do worse but Peterson requires some commitment.This book is what you might call Christian theology for the rest of us - not for academics or divinity students who have their own needs & priorities but for lay people who need more solid stuff than they get from weekly sermons full of platitudes.The more I read from (and about) Eugene Peterson the better I like him.Download the sample if this sounds like something that might interest you or glance through the paperback at a Christian bookstore.

When I read the first chapter all I could say was 'wow'! I found myself saying these over and over again. I couldn't put it down. This is a theology book that reads like a novel - a good novel.Peterson style of writing is captivating. He paints a masterpiece with his words. It's not a theology textbook that is just some academic knowledge of God - though Peterson teaches you a great deal about God often things insights you may have never known. It is not a book about 'do this and then this and everything will be okay'. This is a book about the life of Christ living in us in ten thousand places and our being tranformed to live the Christ life. It is about the Spirit bringing life to us and our experiencing the glory of God among the community of believers.He breaks down his book into three main chapters: Christ plays in Creation; Christ plays in History; and Christ plays in Community. Each main chapter focuses on two main passages; one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament.One thing that I have found myself mulling over and over again is Peterson's insight into how that Wind, Breath, and Spirit are all the same word [pnuema] in both Aramaic that Jesus spoke and the Greek that the NT writers wrote in. Peterson asks us to imagine how our perceptions would change if we used 'wind' and 'breath' when we thought of the word 'spirituality' or the 'Holy Spirit'. For me it has caused me to think differently about the Spirit prevading my life, my family, our church, the city I live in, the dark places of the world... the way the mighty rushing wind invading the upper room in Acts 2 or the way the breath of God invaded Adam and created life.

Eugene Peterson impressed me long before his world-wide fame with "The Message." Since one of his earliest books ("Run with the Horses"), I've been drawn to his combination of poetry, prose, power, passion, and personal honesty.In "Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places," Peterson begins his "Opus"--a proposed five-volume set on spiritual theology. Spiritual theology, a common enough term in Church history, needs defining today. Simply stated, it is a theology of the spiritual life--what the Bible teachers about how we love God and love others (Matthew 22:35-40). As Peterson puts it, "The single most important thing to understand in spiritual theology is that it is not about theology ... it is a cultivated disposition to live theology."As the sub-title suggests, Peterson writes in his normal conversational, soulful, narrative manner, explaining and exploring the nuances of the Spirit. As always, his writing is "earthy"--real, raw, captivating, and convicting.In a day when Christian authors tend to write from extremes (either theology or spirituality), it's refreshing to see Peterson unite (reunite) the two. Not only refreshing-it's essential. An accurate understanding of spirituality must combine community (how we relate in Christ), content (what the Bible says about our relationships), character (who we are from the inside out), and competence (how we mature relationally) all in the context of Church history (listening to the voices of our ancestors in the faith).If you're looking for a "how to" manual, you may find yourself disappointed. That's simply not Peterson's style or intent. However, if you're hoping for a foundation upon which to build your spiritual life, then you can find none better than "Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places."Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

I enjoyed what this book actually had to say as much as the previous reviewers (so I won't dwell on the good stuff since it's already been written about). That being said, I'm afraid this book got a little too much credit just because Eugene Peterson's name is on it (and c'mon - who doesn't love The Message?). What not enough people had either the honesty or wherewithal (i.e. they couldn't actually finish the book) to say was that this book is way too verbose for its own good. Peterson is a great poet and a great Bible translator, but as a contemplative author? A little too much contemplation and not quite enough meat for the length of the book. Reading this book was like listening to a Wagner opera: there were brilliant moments, but they usually came about an hour apart. I'm exaggerating (sort of) because the first chapter or so is great and then it's just a lot of meandering between a few good thoughts.Just to qualify all this, I'm not one of those Christians who really needs a powerpoint presentation with simple bullet points to make me 'get it'. I'm Episcopalian and if I can't handle it slow, then who can?

I’ve been steadily grazing through this book over the past two months, taking it in a piece at a time, slowly digesting it.Peterson is on top form, here. Maybe at his finest? Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places is nourishing and insightful in every way, and offers a beautiful vista of Christian faith and practice.This has easily jumped into my top ten of most formative books. Stunning.

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology  This book was a recommendation, based on another by the same author, purchased for a class I am taking. The author is a well-respected writer, and I am enjoying this book as much as I did his previous works. I was concerned about receiving it in time, but it arrived exactly when I was told it would, in good condition. Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology

Eugene Peterson is a treasure! A pastor with a mission to shephard his congregation which grew from a place to the congregation of the Americas!

So much wisdom here