Christian theology has lacked a tradition resembling Jewish midrash ("inquiring" or "expounding") to explore beyond the literal texts of Scripture. Francis H. Wade fills that gap with Biblical Fracking: Midrash for the Modern Christian. As he writes in the introduction, "Biblical fracking, in the spirit of its historical roots and its geological namesake, means reaching into the cracks and crevasses of the biblical narrative to extract the richness that lurks there." All forms of fracking have potential for benefit as well as abuse. Wade leads us on the narrow path to where we can hear God's word in fresh ways. For example, he asks readers to consider how Sarah felt when Abraham left to sacrifice their only son, Isaac. What was it like to have the quixotic Peter as a husband, or to have a brother like Jesus? Was Judas Iscariot simply the venal betrayer, as commonly caricatured, or was he a devoted disciple who tried to force Jesus' hand? In these and other expositions, Wade reveals Scripture's celebrated and obscure figures with empathy, designed to enrich our understanding of the Bible's saints and sinners, people much like ourselves.
Francis H. Wade is a graduate of The Citadel and Virginia Theological Seminary. He served congregations in his native West Virginia for seventeen years before twenty-two years at St. Alban's Parish on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. He has taught at two seminaries and twice served as chaplain to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Previous books include The Art of Being Together and Transforming Scripture, as well as several sermon anthologies.
Show moreChristian theology has lacked a tradition resembling Jewish midrash ("inquiring" or "expounding") to explore beyond the literal texts of Scripture. Francis H. Wade fills that gap with Biblical Fracking: Midrash for the Modern Christian. As he writes in the introduction, "Biblical fracking, in the spirit of its historical roots and its geological namesake, means reaching into the cracks and crevasses of the biblical narrative to extract the richness that lurks there." All forms of fracking have potential for benefit as well as abuse. Wade leads us on the narrow path to where we can hear God's word in fresh ways. For example, he asks readers to consider how Sarah felt when Abraham left to sacrifice their only son, Isaac. What was it like to have the quixotic Peter as a husband, or to have a brother like Jesus? Was Judas Iscariot simply the venal betrayer, as commonly caricatured, or was he a devoted disciple who tried to force Jesus' hand? In these and other expositions, Wade reveals Scripture's celebrated and obscure figures with empathy, designed to enrich our understanding of the Bible's saints and sinners, people much like ourselves.
Francis H. Wade is a graduate of The Citadel and Virginia Theological Seminary. He served congregations in his native West Virginia for seventeen years before twenty-two years at St. Alban's Parish on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. He has taught at two seminaries and twice served as chaplain to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Previous books include The Art of Being Together and Transforming Scripture, as well as several sermon anthologies.
Show moreFrancis H. Wade is a graduate of The Citadel and Virginia
Theological Seminary. He served congregations in his native West
Virginia for seventeen years before twenty-two years at St. Alban's
Parish on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. He has
taught at two seminaries and twice served as chaplain to the
General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Previous books include
The Art of Being Together and Transforming Scripture, as well as
several sermon anthologies.
"Frank Wade has spent a lifetime with the foundational stories of
Scripture, which makes him an agile guide to the cracks that open
up at these deep layers of the Bible. Whether fracking strikes you
as a good thing or a bad thing, here is a book that will open your
mind."
--Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Holy Envy: Finding God in the
Faith of Others
"Frank Wade provides fresh insight into biblical stories we have
long read without giving them second thought. His interpretations
are both original and sound. . . . Reflecting on Biblical Fracking
will deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith."
--John C. Danforth, former United States Senator from Missouri
"This book is an invitation for an adventure in experiencing the
Scriptures through a different lens--fresh, imaginative, and
new."
--Samuel T. Lloyd, former Dean of the Washington National
Cathedral
"For the readers of Biblical Fracking, the familiar people, words,
and situations of the Bible take on new depth and meaning as the
author probes familiar situations with respect, insight, and humor.
Get acquainted with the Bible as newly alive."
--Bonnie Anderson, Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological
Seminary
"Frank Wade has written a little gem of a book that does wonderful
things. With imaginative questions, a sparkling writing style, and
much good humor, he offers an array of revelatory encounters with
biblical characters both great and small--from Abraham to
Zipporah."
--James P Wind, retired president of the Alban Institute, and
author of Places of Worship
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