The Bible talks about trees more than any living creation other than people. Perhaps you've missed the forest...and the trees.
In this groundbreaking walk through Scripture, former physician and carpenter Dr. Matthew Sleeth makes the convincing case why trees are essential to every Christian's understanding of God.
Yet we've mostly missed how God has chosen to tell His story--and ours--through the lens of trees. There's a tree on the first page of Genesis and the last page of Revelation. The Bible refers to itself as a Tree of Life (Proverbs 3:18).
Every major Biblical character has a tree associated with them. Jesus himself says he is the true vine (John 15:1). A tree was used to kill Jesus--and a tree is the only thing the Messiah ever harmed.
This is no accident. When we subtract trees from Scripture, we miss lessons of faith necessary for our growth.
This is the rare book that connects those who love the Creator with creation, and those who love creation with the Creator. It offers inspirational yet practical ways to express our love for God--and our neighbors--by planting spiritual trees and physical trees in the world.
Join Dr. Sleeth as he navigates the Bible's trail of trees to explore the wonders of life, death, and rebirth. You'll be amazed at how science is just beginning to catch up to the truths described in Scripture thousands of years ago. Once you discover the hidden language of trees, your walk through the woods--and through Scripture--will never be the same.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former emergency room physician, Dr. Matthew Sleeth felt like he was straightening deck chairs on the Titanic saving a patient at a time while the whole ship (Earth) was going down. Together with his wife and two children, he began to bring his lifestyle in line with his values, cutting back on their fossil fuel by two thirds and electricity use by nine tenths. Following a new calling, Dr. Sleeth resigned from his position as chief of the medical staff and director of the ER to teach, preach, and write about faith and the environment throughout the country.
Dr. Sleeth is a graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine and has two post-doctoral fellowships. He is the author of Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action (Zondervan, April 2007), the introduction to the Green Bible (2008, HarperOne), and 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life.
Dr. Sleeth’s latest book is Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love for Us (April 2019, PenguinRandomHouse).
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MY THOUGHTS.....
Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love for Us by Matthew Sleeth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
"Trees are the only things from our childhood that are bigger when we go back and visit them as adults. Our faith should be like that." (p. 191)***
Author Matthew Sleeth admits that he was interested in science long before he was a Believer and it was his fascination with trees that started him on his Christian walk. As he pondered their value he realized that trees play such an important role in the Holy Bible and that "Christianity is the only religion that weaves trees from one end of its sacred text to the other." (p. 5).*** He goes on to share that there is a tree in both the first and last chapter of the Bible, the first psalm and Matthew, the first gospel. Yes, I've read all of these biblical accounts but I hadn't stopped to recognize this significence. As I continued to read Reforesting Faith, I was simply amazed with the many references to trees in the Bible. Page after page, Sleeth shows that trees are a very special part of God's Creation.
Reforesting Faith will appeal to environmentalists but it will also appeal to Christian readers because it reminds us that all of the major events of Christianity feature trees. "Trees are not randomly placed in Scripture. They mark the most important events, including the Creation, the Fall, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This is not a coincidence. The Bible is one interwoven book, written by God." (p. 21)***
This book is easy to read and it has the author's personal experiences but it is also filled with scripture to support the author's observations about the importance of trees. I believe that Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love For Us would be a wonderful book to share with a Bible Study group and it would appeal to both men and women. I myself plan to refer to it again for my own personal devotions and I appreciate the gentle reminder and challenge that is near the end. Matthew Sleeth shares that "The Bible doesn't tell us to be like a house or a chariot or a lion. It tells us to be like a fruithful tree. Grow, make the world better, and bear fruit." (p.191)***
***These quotes are from an uncorrected proof.
I received a complimentary ARC from Waterbrook Multnomah but I wasn't obligated to post a positive review. These are my honest opinions.
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