Reviewed Book: Marty, Martin E. Places along the Way: Meditations on the Journey of Faith. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1994

Hildebrand, Sally

English

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 21Issue 1 Women and Men in Theological Education:Exploring the Present, Creating the FutureArticle 305-1-1995Places along the Way: Meditations on the Journeyof FaithSally HildebrandFollow 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 CitationHildebrand, Sally (1995) "Places along the Way: Meditations on the Journey of Faith," Consensus: Vol. 21 : Iss. 1 , Article 30.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol21/iss1/30Book Reviews 163Places Along the Way: Meditations on the Journey ofFaithMartin Marty and Micah MartyMinneapolis: Augsburg, 1994$15.00 paperAs a lay person, who has, as recently as the Spring of 1994, visited theHoly Land, I find this book of particular interest.Martin Marty, historian, and Micah Marty, his photographer son, haveproduced a book that is appealing in both narrative and picture, as well asinspiring and easy to read.I found it particularly rewarding in that it allowed me to undertake myown spiritual journey, in Christ’s name, with the Bible providing the plot,by referring to the landmark places along the way. The photographs offera clear image of the places visited, and allow for one’s personal reflection,interpretation, and meditation.Each “Place along the Way” presents a Scripture reading, a medita-tion, an illustrative photograph, along with an appropriate, accompanyingprayer. Each Biblical event or place is discussed and related to today’stemptations and problems, thus linking us to our Biblical ancestors. Thenarratives put forth a strong message which cannot be ignored, and offerreassurance and comfort by making us aware that, e.g.(1) God is always present to lead and guide us.(2) The problems with which we wrestle can be overcome by the blessingof God.(3) All things happen according to the will, word, and love of God.(4) God provides a cure for our misplaced priorities, and so, the contentsgive us a guideline for living in our troubled world.By reading this book, I was able to vividly recall and appreciate morefully the places I had been privileged to visit. It has made me more awarethat one can see God working to guide us through our disappointments andproblems, and that nothing need divert us from our march of faith. I foundan enrichment to my faith, and my memories, and would suggest:(1) Anyone planning a trip to the Holy Land using it as part of his/herdaily devotions.21 think it could be a useful aid when conducting family devotions, andcould see possibilities in using the book as a “stepping-off” point for BibleStudies with a variety of groups such as Evangelical Lutheran Women orSeniors’ clubs.(3) Shut-ins, or the hospitalized, might appreciate receiving the book as agift, or having it read to them by a visitor, friend, or family member.164 ConsensusIn any event, I feel strongly that whoever reads “Places Along the Way”,they will most certainly be enriched by travelling on this spiritual journeyof faith.Sally HildebrandMount Zion Evangelical Lutheran ChurchWaterloo, OntarioThe Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art ofSpiritual DirectionEugene H. PetersonGrand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1993171pp.“One of the things I fear most as your pastor is that out of fatigue orsloth I end up going through the motions, substituting professional smooth-ness for personal grappling with the life of the Spirit in our life together”(p. 145). So writes the author of this wonderful little book that speaks tothe heart of every bona fide pastor. The author, a seasoned pastor him-self, continues, “The demands of pastoral life are strenuous, and there isno respite from them. There are not many hours in the day when I am notfaced with the struggle of faith in someone or another, the deep, central,eternal energies that make the difference between a life lived to the glory ofGod (sounds like Luther, doesn’t it?) and a life wasted in self-indulgenceor trivialized in diversions. I want to be ready for those encounters” (p.146).If you feel you are not as ready for “those encounters” as you would liketo be, then this book may help you and me rediscover the sinew of pastoralwork and what it really is all about.Again, permit me, the reviewer, to let the author Eugene Peterson, aparish pastor of twenty-nine years and now a resident in Regent College,Vancouver, speak from his own experience. He writes, “I have been a pas-tor for thirty years to American Christians who do their best to fireproofthemselves against crises and urgency. Is there any way that I can livewith those people and love them without being shaped by the golden-calfculture? How can I keep from settling into the salary and benefits of acheckout clerk in a store for religious consumers? How can I avoid a meta-morphosis from the holy vocation (another good Lutheran word that hasfallen into unknown disuse and abuse among us, as Lutherans) of pastorinto a promising career in religious sales?”Have I, the reviewer, hooked you, the reader of this review, with thesequotes? I hope so! This is not a “how to do it book”. This book, written bya pastor, deals with the interior life of the pastor. By reflecting on his own

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