The Burning Word

I just finished reading "The Burning Word: A Christian Encounter with Jewish Midrash" by Judith M. Kunst. It's a fascinating look at Jewish method of interpretation applied to the Christian Bible. The idea is that scripture is not meant to provide answers to our questions, but rather accompanies us in our spiritual lives, dialoging with us, and often giving us more questions than answers.

I don't do the subject matter justice, but I really enjoyed this book. It was a little too "devotional" for me at times, but it served well as an introductory text into Jewish Midrash. Those of you that might have a more post-modern theology might especially enjoy this book, as it is a prime example of a, as Brian McLaren puts it, "generative conversation" with another faith tradition.


I'll leave you with a quote:

"Our purpose in reading Holy Scripture is to meet God, meet ourselves, learn how to live. God purposes much more. He wants to use us to redeem the world."


Peace out, party people.


---CJ