Reviewed Book: Endicott, Shirley J. Dreaming the Tree of Life. Dundas, Ont: Artemis, 1992

Cole-Arnal, Bonnie Ann

English

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 20Issue 2 In Praise of Valiant Women Article 2611-1-1994Dreaming the Tree of LifeBonnie Ann Cole-ArnalFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationCole-Arnal, Bonnie Ann (1994) "Dreaming the Tree of Life," Consensus: Vol. 20 : Iss. 2 , Article 26.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol20/iss2/26178 Consensusone of its members. Cummings never makes this seem easy: however, sheoffers a description of a rich experience for all involved.The chapter titles give the reader a glimpse of the journey: Introduc-tion, Discovery: Horror, Gentleness, Grief, Rage 1, Rage 2, Memories Re-turning, Honesty, Trust, Forgiveness, Hope, Facing Fears, Change, Conclu-sion. Browsing through the titles is like scanning a road map on which theonly clear thing about the route is the starting place and the destination.This is a graphic description of a survivor’s journey.The illustrations are abstract and subtle. They are almost subliminalon first reading! As the content progresses, however, one can recognize theimpact and continuity they offer to the text.This book is a truly remarkable work. In it the author describes herjourney in a way that avoids so many of the pitfalls of cathartic self disclo-sure. It is rich in imagination as the author tells metaphorical stories to herinner child. It is simple, clear and honest—something remarkable amongman}'' other works published about this subject. Eyes Wide Open will be-come a companion to anyone who supports a woman who has been abused.It shows survivors and their care givers how to help survivors integrate theirhistory with their faith experience.Susan LudwigSexuality Education Consultant,Newmarket, OntarioDreaming the Tree of LifeShirley Jane EndicottDimdas, ON: Artemis Enterprises, 1992158 pp.Dream,mg the Tree of Life is a collection of stories, poems and songsc-elebrating the experience of women from a feminist point of view. ShirleyJane Endicott takes her inspiration from biblical themes and from presentday life. I can applaud Endicott for examining forthrightly such difficultissue's as spousal abuse and rape. “A High Rock” is a sensitive yet frankexploration of one woman’s feelings about her attraction to other womenand al)out a specihe sexual encounter with a lesbian. Endicott hopes thather l)ook “will encourage other women to create writings which value theirexperiences of spirituality, find their own truths and expand the process ofwomen-centred myth making” (p. 14).My reaction to this book is one of respect for the author’s creativity.But, personally, I did not find this book particularly nourishing or inspiring.Most of it was at the edge of my comfort level. Discomfort isn’t necessarilya, bad thing. For it can push me to look at issues that I might not otherwiseBook Reviews 179examine. But too much discomfort makes it almost impossible to relate tosomeone else’s point of view.One area of discomfort has to do with Endicott’s approach to feminismand theology. I do believe that the traditional patriarchal expression ofChristian faith needs to be transformed. Some feminists would argue thatthis is impossible. They would say that patriarchy is so deeply ingrainedthat Christianity is beyond redemption. They would opt to create a newexpression of faith. Endicott is much closer to this point of view than I.She is willing to reject the traditional Hebrew Scriptures’ denunciation ofthe pagan goddesses and pray “Asherah, restore your blessing” (p. 95).That, in my opinion, takes her outside the limits of the Christian tradition,a place where I am unwilling to go.The other difficulty I have with the book is the author’s style. This Iadmit has much to do with personal taste. But I do believe that the impactof Endicott’s creativity is lost in several ways. I think that her story linesare often too long and complicated. Her best story in my opinion is “Howlove came into the world”. I found it a very moving and tender story.It has that impact because it is focused and concise. I also think thatsome of Endicott’s stories read more like personal reflections than stories.Perhaps what she has to say could be said better as a series of meditationsor reflections. If they are to be left as stories they need to be tightened up.It is my opinion that Dreaming the Tree of Life would have limitedappeal to the majority within church circles. However, for anyone interestedin openly exploring feminist spirituality, this book will offer some thought-provoking images and ideas.Bonnie Ann Cole ArnalThe United Church of CanadaBelwood-Metz Pastoral Charge, OntarioMatthew. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary forTeaching and PreachingDouglas R.A. HareLouisville: John Knox Press, 1993320 pp. + bibliography $22.00 U.S.iIHare’s work, part of the Interpretation series, is an important resourceIfor all those who work with the book of Matthew in a preaching or teachingsituation. It is equally valuable for those who only desire to study theGospel in more detail. Basing his commentary on the Revised StandardVersion, Hare seeks to supplement the work of exegetical scholars, “byemphasizing what each passage means to Matthew and, by extension, to themodern church” (p. vii). He examines the book in three parts: One—Who

Dreaming the Tree of Life

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 20
Issue 2 In Praise of Valiant Women Article 26
11-1-1994
Dreaming the Tree of Life
Bonnie Ann Cole-Arnal
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Cole-Arnal, Bonnie Ann (1994) "Dreaming the Tree of Life," Consensus: Vol. 20 : Iss. 2 , Article 26.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol20/iss2/26
178 Consensus
one of its members. Cummings never makes this seem easy: however, she
offers a description of a rich experience for all involved.
The chapter titles give the reader a glimpse of the journey: Introduc-
tion, Discovery: Horror, Gentleness, Grief, Rage 1, Rage 2, Memories Re-
turning, Honesty, Trust, Forgiveness, Hope, Facing Fears, Change, Conclu-
sion. Browsing through the titles is like scanning a road map on which the
only clear thing about the route is the starting place and the destination.
This is a graphic description of a survivor’s journey.
The illustrations are abstract and subtle. They are almost subliminal
on first reading! As the content progresses, however, one can recognize the
impact and continuity they offer to the text.
This book is a truly remarkable work. In it the author describes her
journey in a way that avoids so many of the pitfalls of cathartic self disclo-
sure. It is rich in imagination as the author tells metaphorical stories to her
inner child. It is simple, clear and honest—something remarkable among
man}'' other works published about this subject. Eyes Wide Open will be-
come a companion to anyone who supports a woman who has been abused.
It shows survivors and their care givers how to help survivors integrate their
history with their faith experience.
Susan Ludwig
Sexuality Education Consultant,
Newmarket, Ontario
Dreaming the Tree of Life
Shirley Jane Endicott
Dimdas, ON: Artemis Enterprises, 1992
158 pp.
Dream,mg the Tree of Life is a collection of stories, poems and songs
c-elebrating the experience of women from a feminist point of view. Shirley
Jane Endicott takes her inspiration from biblical themes and from present
day life. I can applaud Endicott for examining forthrightly such difficult
issue's as spousal abuse and rape. “A High Rock” is a sensitive yet frank
exploration of one woman’s feelings about her attraction to other women
and al)out a specihe sexual encounter with a lesbian. Endicott hopes that
her l)ook “will encourage other women to create writings which value their
experiences of spirituality, find their own truths and expand the process of
women-centred myth making” (p. 14).
My reaction to this book is one of respect for the author’s creativity.
But, personally, I did not find this book particularly nourishing or inspiring.
Most of it was at the edge of my comfort level. Discomfort isn’t necessarily
a, bad thing. For it can push me to look at issues that I might not otherwise
Book Reviews 179
examine. But too much discomfort makes it almost impossible to relate to
someone else’s point of view.
One area of discomfort has to do with Endicott’s approach to feminism
and theology. I do believe that the traditional patriarchal expression of
Christian faith needs to be transformed. Some feminists would argue that
this is impossible. They would say that patriarchy is so deeply ingrained
that Christianity is beyond redemption. They would opt to create a new
expression of faith. Endicott is much closer to this point of view than I.
She is willing to reject the traditional Hebrew Scriptures’ denunciation of
the pagan goddesses and pray “Asherah, restore your blessing” (p. 95).
That, in my opinion, takes her outside the limits of the Christian tradition,
a place where I am unwilling to go.
The other difficulty I have with the book is the author’s style. This I
admit has much to do with personal taste. But I do believe that the impact
of Endicott’s creativity is lost in several ways. I think that her story lines
are often too long and complicated. Her best story in my opinion is “How
love came into the world”. I found it a very moving and tender story.
It has that impact because it is focused and concise. I also think that
some of Endicott’s stories read more like personal reflections than stories.
Perhaps what she has to say could be said better as a series of meditations
or reflections. If they are to be left as stories they need to be tightened up.
It is my opinion that Dreaming the Tree of Life would have limited
appeal to the majority within church circles. However, for anyone interested
in openly exploring feminist spirituality, this book will offer some thought-
provoking images and ideas.
Bonnie Ann Cole Arnal
The United Church of Canada
Belwood-Metz Pastoral Charge, Ontario
Matthew. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for
Teaching and Preaching
Douglas R.A. Hare
Louisville: John Knox Press, 1993
320 pp. + bibliography $22.00 U.S.
i
I
Hare’s work, part of the Interpretation series, is an important resource
I
for all those who work with the book of Matthew in a preaching or teaching
situation. It is equally valuable for those who only desire to study the
Gospel in more detail. Basing his commentary on the Revised Standard
Version, Hare seeks to supplement the work of exegetical scholars, “by
emphasizing what each passage means to Matthew and, by extension, to the
modern church” (p. vii). He examines the book in three parts: One—Who


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