The Bible is full of clever plots and compelling stories, laced with historic insights and literary beauty. Despite its richness and depth, many of...
read full description
reviews
Mar 10, 2010
Iamthird
rated it: 
"When I embrace a life that is pleasing to God - one that chooses righteousness over being merely right, one that chooses kindness in the face of rejection, one that chooses love rather than silent withdrawal - something comes alive in my heart and in the hearts of my community. "
Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who s More...
Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who s More...
Mar 01, 2010
Josh
rated it: 
I can't say enough good about this book. I've never met Margaret Feinberg. Yet, after reading this book I feel like she and I have been friends for a long time. Maybe one day I'll have the honor. Her writing is honest, raw, descriptive, and even humorous at times. I appreciate her transparency. Margaret is open about her struggles and lack of ability to understand the mysteries of God. I am a huge fan of her attempts. Through the mind of a farmer, shepherdess, vintner, and bee keeper, Margaret d
More...
Dec 07, 2009
Debbie
rated it: 
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher. "Scouting the Divine" is Scripture-focused and a fast, enjoyable read. About half of the book was spent describing (in a "as it happened" style) how she found the expert, arriving and getting to know the expert, and what the author's day with them was like. She then would ask the shepherd/farmer/beekeeper/vintner questions about verses in the Bible that related to sheep and shepherding, farming, beekeeping, and growing
More...
Oct 29, 2009
Willie
rated it: 
Margaret Feinberg visits a shepherdess, a beekeeper, a farmer and a vintner to understand the symbolism and references in the Bible. Feinberg really did her homework on this one; she is able to approach each of the "experts" with a list of good questions and emerge with productive, insightful conversations. It is surprising to realize how out of touch we are with the agrarian world in which the Bible was written; the depth and richness of its metaphors are mostly lost on us. It ma
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 04, 2010
Groups
rated it:
Per Sue Bates:
The author explores "pastimes" that were specific to biblical times, such as sheep herding, winemaking, etc. She does a good job of creating great visuals and connections to the text through these ancient tasks, which will appeal to certain styles of thinkers. It felt like at times that her connection with the parable to modern day was a bit of a stretch, and she took some liberties.
Concerns:
She takes parables and ancient biblical practice More...
The author explores "pastimes" that were specific to biblical times, such as sheep herding, winemaking, etc. She does a good job of creating great visuals and connections to the text through these ancient tasks, which will appeal to certain styles of thinkers. It felt like at times that her connection with the parable to modern day was a bit of a stretch, and she took some liberties.
Concerns:
She takes parables and ancient biblical practice More...
Nov 19, 2010
Gary
rated it:
Wow Margaret Feinberg is a great writer. Her colorful and poetic discriptions of travels she made writing the book are truly delightful. Sometimes she describes the food she is going to eat and it makes me salvitate. She has a wonderful gift to take parts of the world I have ignored and brought it to life. She visits a sheep herder, farmer, bee keeper, and a wine maker and brings a deeper understanding of their labor as it reflects on God. I look forward to reading more of her works.
Nov 02, 2009
Becky
rated it:
Great new perspective. She is more of a story teller than a fact-finder, but you get both. I appreciate her desire to know who God is by digging into his parables. I can honestly say that my own view of God (because of my background, environment, personality, what have you) was broadened.
Aug 24, 2010
Alyssa
rated it:
Entertaining and interesting, but theologically and agriculturally on the soppy side. Two stars as a Yay for anything with sheep and honeybees in the same book as written by a Christian; three stars off for being overly saccharine and for trying, blog-like, to be deep and failing.
Jul 26, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
This book is okay. It isn't exceptionally spiritual because it's mostly a narrative of the author's travels and daily life while spending time with sheep or bees. There are a couple of spiritual references, but most of them are shallow.
Jul 02, 2011
Lorna
rated it:
Loved it!!! Brought so much meaning and life to those things we take for granted. Loved reading how she compared Biblical truths and stories with everyday real life experiences. Everyone needs to read this book!
Feb 03, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Like all Feinberg's books, this one was warm and clear and easy to read. It was half storytelling and half Bible story, and the two halves meshed easily. This book definitely accomplished the goal of illuminating Scripture with a look at the agriculture that runs through it. So glad I bought this one.
Oct 06, 2011
John
rated it:
Truly enjoyed this book! It gave me tremendous insight into some scriptural images that I've read for years but never appreciated at this level or depth. Highly recommended!
Sep 17, 2010
Roma
rated it:
What a wonderful job this author has done with taking the bible stories and making them relevent, entertaining, and applicable.
Nov 02, 2011
Carol
rated it:
Enlightening insights to Biblical imagery: sheep/shepherd, farming, milk & honey, vineyard/vine dresser...
May 14, 2010
Bethany
rated it:
This is the kind of book I want to read over and over and over again because it is so meaty and so useful!
Jul 28, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Margaret Feinberg's understanding of the sheep/shepherd relationship is the best I have read!
Apr 09, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Growing up in modern, urban America must leave us with some intellectual gaps when reading the Bible, right? The author visits a shepard, a winery, a farm and a bee keeper to see if she learns anything new which will add depth to the many biblical references to all things agricultural. And she does learn new things. A beehive can make 2 pounds of honey per day, among other things. She is a poetic and thoughtful writer.
I was introduced to her work when she spoke at our church. More...
I was introduced to her work when she spoke at our church. More...
Nov 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I'm maybe 2/3 of the way through, and I'm not going to finish. It's too bad b/c I really love the concept of the book, but it's just poorly executed. It's sloppy. Bummer.
Apr 20, 2010
Amy
rated it:
I loved this book. I rarely read non-fiction because I find a lot of it tedious. This book was far from tedious. The information was fresh and so interesting. I especially enjoyed the chapters on shepherding and winemaking. Feinberg does an amazing job of drawing parallels between the everyday responsibilities of these vocations and what is in scripture regarding them. I found that scripture that I have read many times suddenly came to life with new meaning for me.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 10, 2011
Chris
rated it:
Really enjoying this read. Feinberg is delightful and this book has my own personal thoughts embedded all over it.
May 11, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
Gave me a new perspective on God's word. What a blessing. Would like to do the study.
May 02, 2010
Karen
rated it:
A fun read. Feinberg's writing style is engaging and primarily storytelling mixed with personal reflection. Her journeys to learn from a shepherdess, a farmer, a beekeeper and a vintner are paired with reflection on passages in Scripture dealing with sheep, harvests, honey ad wine.
Feb 16, 2010
Susan
rated it:
First chapter seems more didactic than I'd hoped. I would prefer it if she told the story and let me make my own spiritual connections, but I'll give her a chance by reading the rest.
Feb 13, 2012
Feb 12, 2012
