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The Burning Word: A Christian Encounter with Jewish Midrash
Discover an ancient and vibrant approach to reading scripture—the rich tradition of Jewish Midrash. Midrash invites us to search the Bible for what is unfamiliar and unclear, and to wrestle with the text, those “burning words,” trusting the God of the Bible will meet us there. Midrash is a Hebrew word meaning "to search out." This ancient, Jewish method for interpreting the Bible searches not for what is familiar but for what is unfamiliar, not for what's clear but for what's unclear, and then wrestles with the text, passionately, playfully, and reverently. Midrash views the Bible as one side of a conversation, started by God, containing an implicit invitation to keep the conversation going. Kunst invites the reader to explore Midrash for the first time through a conversation, at times humorous, reflective and poetic, offering practical suggestions for personal Midrash-making along the way.
- GenresNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 16, 2022
Lyrical and insightful description of Midrash, an approach to engaging Scripture that is life giving. Highly recommend!
June 23, 2009
Great introduction to the Jewish practice of Midrash. It includes activity suggestions for personal/devotional creative writing.
January 2, 2021
A friend of mine recommended this book, and I've been extraordinarily grateful for it. In her work, Judith puts forth the dichotomy that I believe exists in many hearts when/if they stumble upon Jewish writings- particularly midrash.
'It's hard to find a resemblance between the delight and pleasure of scripture study evident in Jewish literature, and the somber, suspicious, indignant and nit-picky picture the Christian tradition has often painted of Jewish leaders and teachers.'
This is a very real friction point in today's world, and one can't help but appreciate Judith's take on the Jewish perspective of being and staying in conversation, particularly on difficult subject matter. In fact, her working hypothesis to the reader is that 'it may be more important to be in conversation with each other and get it "wrong," then to get it "right" but have the conversation stop.'
In my own journey to grow closer to my Creator and hallow His Name- I have often found myself discouraged by mainstream christian authors and leaders. They seemingly have it all together, figured out, and claim to have 'answers'. But what I've found in this text, and many like it, is that 'answers' can be damaging. Damaging because answers lead to the stifling of imagination and the conclusion of conversation.
Judith's perspective seems to be one of meekness. To gently and quietly listen to, speak to, add to and wrestle through the Holy Text with the help of others and in the Spirit of the Living God.
'It's hard to find a resemblance between the delight and pleasure of scripture study evident in Jewish literature, and the somber, suspicious, indignant and nit-picky picture the Christian tradition has often painted of Jewish leaders and teachers.'
This is a very real friction point in today's world, and one can't help but appreciate Judith's take on the Jewish perspective of being and staying in conversation, particularly on difficult subject matter. In fact, her working hypothesis to the reader is that 'it may be more important to be in conversation with each other and get it "wrong," then to get it "right" but have the conversation stop.'
In my own journey to grow closer to my Creator and hallow His Name- I have often found myself discouraged by mainstream christian authors and leaders. They seemingly have it all together, figured out, and claim to have 'answers'. But what I've found in this text, and many like it, is that 'answers' can be damaging. Damaging because answers lead to the stifling of imagination and the conclusion of conversation.
Judith's perspective seems to be one of meekness. To gently and quietly listen to, speak to, add to and wrestle through the Holy Text with the help of others and in the Spirit of the Living God.
July 6, 2020
Awesome book. Kunst introduces you to a new way to read the Scriptures--through Jewish eyes. Makes reading scripture more of a dialogue with the Creator and not just passive reading, as in the Christian tradition. Discover Jewish "Midrash", how the Jews encounter and wrestle with God's Word in Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews