Book Review :: The Fire of the Word by Chris Webb

The Bible is a difficult, complex, and multi-layered book. It consists of two testaments, the Old and New, and was penned by numerous authors, with a long history of interpretation, and a longer history of transformation. It has been pondered by scholars and laypersons alike, and the resulting fruit has ranged from profound to commonplace holiness. It is regarded by faithful Christians as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, making wise for salvation and good for equipping every man and woman to live in accordance with righteousness.

There is no greater book than the Bible. But how do we read? How do we read this great, difficult, complex, and multi-layered book? To read it well we are in need of reliable guides. We are in need of the church, the communion of saints. Chris Webb is one such voice, and in his book, The Fire of the Word, we encounter a companion for our journey, a reliable guide who can help us to read the Bible for transformation.

Chris Webb's prose is tremendous. I have rarely encountered someone who has written so lucidly on the Bible and its role in spiritual formation. He takes the text seriously, and punctuates his grand claims for the transformative nature of its contents with illustrations that range the centuries in accessible, powerful language. Webb's book is designed to be devoured slowly, much like Scripture itself, for each chapter concludes with recommended readings from the Bible that illuminate the concepts and ideas Webb desires to impart. The design is practical, allowing for a multi-level impact on the reader.

As a Renovare resource, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Renovare is dedicated to pulling together diverse streams within Christianity, taking the best from each in order to bring about spiritual renewal. This book is intended to help the reader think about the Bible in terms of theory and practice at diverse levels, though skewing contemplative. Webb offers varying meditations on how we best listen to God through the reading of Scripture, whether it be through lectio divina or other ancient practices. And he provides excellent examples that enlighten the reader, helping them to see that Scripture is always intended to lead us to the knowledge and worship of God. The Bible always points beyond itself, intending to bring us in to contact with the one who inspired it, so that we might be transformed to become like him.

For those seeking a treatise on the doctrine of Scripture, or an exposition of the exact manner we may speak of the Bible as being inspired, you will not find such an account here. You will have to turn elsewhere for such a treatment. There is only a gloss given to the concerns surrounding the doctrine of biblical inspiration as it is articulated from both the right and the left. Webb isn't concerned with that war. He is concerned with our souls, and the manner by which the words of Scripture take root in our bodies, transforming us, renewing our minds, directing our hands. While some may consider this a point of weakness, I would brand it a strength. That discussion can be more profitably had elsewhere. Webb's business is different.

As someone who loves the Bible, I thoroughly loved this book. It has inspired my love for God. I believe, therefore, that Webb accomplished his intention, to help his reader gain a passion for the Written Word in such a way that inspires greater love for the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Mr. Webb writes, "As you open the Bible, Jesus is present. If your reading leads you to him, you're doing it right."

Amen.