AUTHOR: Winn Collier
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Waterbrook, 2020, (368 pages).
The book is written in three parts. Part One describes the early years of Eugene's Norwegian grandparents, Andre and Juditta Odegard Hoiland moving to America in 1902. Flathead Valley in Montana was where they eventually moved to. It was where Eugene was born to Evelyn and Don. His creativity and imagination were credit to his mother. If Eugene had learned about creativity and contemplation from his mother, he learned about companionship and community from his father. He experienced what it meant to lose a family member at a tender young age when his 2-year old sister Lois died of pneumonia. Knowing the deeper connections to Eugene's family helps us appreciate his background and how it shapes his spirituality. Then there was his time in Seattle Pacific University where he rubbed shoulders with people of different denominational backgrounds. He learned the importance of manageable size from his early experience as President of a student body. Hence, he developed this principle of not pastoring a church larger than 300 people. He refuses to put himself up on a pedestal, but chooses the humble path by identifying himself with the rest of us, that he too like many have lived haphazard lives of discovery rather than a clearly defined path. Sometimes, the discovery has to do with what one does not want to do instead of one wants to do. This was Eugene's posture when he opts for ministry instead of getting involved in the Korean war. He shares about what it meant to be a butcher's son and subsequently a butcher's life. It was not to be as his direction shifts again after much rejection from existing Church denominations. He went to Bible School hoping to do some teaching after that. Gradually, the Bible became less of a book to be studied but an invitation to a conversation with God. He learned ministry from George Buttrick, philosophy from Soren Kierkegaard, prayer from his Pentecostal roots, and theology from Karl Barth. He eventually became ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. He studied at New York Theological Seminary and continued with a doctoral program at John Hopkins University, focusing on semitic languages. He was blessed to study under the supervision of Bill Albright. However, he did not complete his dissertation as he decided to go into full time pastoral work instead.
Part Two begins with his future wife, Jan Stubbs who grew up in a racially charged neighborhood. Eugene and Jan met at an InterVarsity group meeting, noticing each other but shy to make any moves. It took a non-Christian named Bob to press Eugene to be more courageous in asking Jan out. What follows is a captivating story of how two young persons in love wrestle with their own personal endeavors in prayer and in prayer, to marry. One particular challenge was about whether Eugene was to be a Professor or a Pastor, or a writer. He would eventually do lots of all of them. It was largely Jan's influence that pushed him toward the pastoral vocation. Readers get an inside look at the early beginnings of the Church Eugene pastored for 29 years, Christ Our King Presbyterian Church. He gave up the opportunity to study under Brevald Childs at Yale. Both Eugene and Jan kept the Sabbath on Mondays. They learned prayer. In his struggle with pastoral work and the overwhelming expectations placed on him, he shares one of the most insightful needs of a pastoral spirituality as an unbusy pastor. That alone is worth the price of the book.
Part Three continues with the resignation of Eugene from pastor of Christ Our King Church. If the previous phase was a Pastor-Writer phase, this next phase was Writer-Professor beginning at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as a "Writer-in-Residence." That also marks the beginning of his work on the MESSAGE. Using his love for the Scriptures, Eugene hones his language skills, contextual awareness, personal dynamism, literary creativity, artistic talent, and interpretive prowess to put together a paraphrase that is faithful to the text and relevant for the modern masses. It was a legacy that remains what is very much of how Eugene Peterson was to be remembered for. Collier writes with personal delight as he describes Eugene's decision to move to Vancouver's Regent College in 1992, the "stable of powerhouse theologians." Collier relates most intimately as he shares about Eugene's personal journey with several Regent students, something I identify closely and personally. Most humorously, I smiled when Collier calls Eugene the opposite of James Houston. Readers would see how Eugene struggled with literal and literary translations, something that became a huge burden to carry. That in itself ought to warn any of us budding PhDs or pastors to be to be careful about expectations that try to take us away from our calling.
My Thoughts
Eugene is someone who didn't shoot off the hip with his words. When asked a question, he would often pause a little, and after a thoughtful posture, he would answer like a gentle shepherd talking to sheep waiting to lap up every word. I remember his raspy and gentle voice whenever he speaks. One of the best descriptions of pastoral care is in the phrase "pastoring was slow, individualized work" and a "personal, relational art." He exemplifies that. I find myself blessed to be able to experience his slow, gentle, pastoral care that invites us to walk with him, and he with us. I believe that his attentiveness to people has to do with his desire to listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting, and how he could reveal more of God's presence in him to whomever the Spirit was prompting him to. He has that gift of spiritual direction. He might not have a PhD but his legacy of Bible translation and spiritual direction are worth many times more than that coveted doctorate.
As a Regent alumnus, I am grateful for this professor and pastor who had touched me with his personality and writings. He is the real deal. Even those who have not read his books would want to, after reading this biography. Thanks again, Winn Collier for blessing the world with this timely biography. You have honoured Eugene well. Fellow Regent College alumni would savour this book and be reminded of the man that gives a new and fresh excitement over spiritual and pastoral theology.
A pastor for twenty-five years, Winn was the founding pastor of All Souls Charlottesville in Virginia. He now directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Michigan. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia, where he focused on the intersection of religion and literary fiction. Winn and his wife, Miska, a spiritual director, live in Holland, Michigan, with their two sons.
Rating: 5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Waterbrook and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
My Thoughts
Eugene is someone who didn't shoot off the hip with his words. When asked a question, he would often pause a little, and after a thoughtful posture, he would answer like a gentle shepherd talking to sheep waiting to lap up every word. I remember his raspy and gentle voice whenever he speaks. One of the best descriptions of pastoral care is in the phrase "pastoring was slow, individualized work" and a "personal, relational art." He exemplifies that. I find myself blessed to be able to experience his slow, gentle, pastoral care that invites us to walk with him, and he with us. I believe that his attentiveness to people has to do with his desire to listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting, and how he could reveal more of God's presence in him to whomever the Spirit was prompting him to. He has that gift of spiritual direction. He might not have a PhD but his legacy of Bible translation and spiritual direction are worth many times more than that coveted doctorate.
His greatest gift is in his writing. Frankly, having read his books and listened to his lectures, I think he writes better than he speaks. Through the lens of Collier, not only will readers know more about Eugene up close and personal, we will learn the background behind many of his bestselling books. Reading this biography is also reading about a reminder to all, especially pastors, that they too need to recognize the more important things in life. For example, Church ministry is important but the ministry of presence is even more important. Spending time doing Church work might not necessarily be more holy than spending time nurturing our children and family. Being busy is not a sign of a pastor hard at work. It might be a sign of laziness and misguided programming of activities over personal touch. Desiring fame and recognition might be every young pastors' dream but they could deal a fatal blow to true spirituality. I feel a warm awareness as I revisit the life of Eugene Peterson in this book. I am reminded of the importance to stay close to people and not to let fame and popularity puff up our own ego. Eugene calls this the "seduction of celebrity." Such awareness is important because a pastor is first and foremost a signpost to point people to God. His presence with people is to help parishioners discover more of the love of God.
As a Regent alumnus, I am grateful for this professor and pastor who had touched me with his personality and writings. He is the real deal. Even those who have not read his books would want to, after reading this biography. Thanks again, Winn Collier for blessing the world with this timely biography. You have honoured Eugene well. Fellow Regent College alumni would savour this book and be reminded of the man that gives a new and fresh excitement over spiritual and pastoral theology.
A pastor for twenty-five years, Winn was the founding pastor of All Souls Charlottesville in Virginia. He now directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Michigan. He holds a PhD from the University of Virginia, where he focused on the intersection of religion and literary fiction. Winn and his wife, Miska, a spiritual director, live in Holland, Michigan, with their two sons.
Rating: 5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Waterbrook and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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