As a librarian, I know that stories are important as we try to make sense of our world. In this book, Holberg weaves together stories from her life, from the literature she teaches and obviously loves, and from the Bible. Some chapters drew me in quickly; others less so. I especially recommend her last chapter to any teachers who need encouragement. A book to savor.

Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith by Jennifer L Holberg. I enjoyed reading through this book as I thought it covered many different areas and helped me to think intentionally about each of those areas though her use of narrative. There were times I did feel that she drifted a bit but overall thought she did a great job of inviting the reader in.
There were two quotes that stood out to me that I am still thinking about even after I have finished this book that I think give an idea of what is covered in this book.
The first is “It’s easy to love the world in abstract through the glass of a window (or of a computer screen). I can’t say that it wasn’t a nice break—but it’s bad spiritual practice.”
The second is “We need to remember our essentials: it’s not “political” to care about others. We can vote however we feel led, and we can work for the protections promised to all our citizens. But like Christians across the centuries, we should be marked by our radical care for others, even when we don’t “have to,” even when we have a right not to.”

This book looks fascinating and the premise resonates with me. I picked it up in July with the intent to write a review, but this summer had been a bit overwhelming, for a number of reasons, and I simply haven’t had the time to read very much of it, certainly not enough to give you an honest opinion. (I only really have capacity for reading light fiction at the moment – I haven’t been able to dive back into my non-fiction stack). So, I’m just going to say that I liked what little I’ve read and I look forward to the point when I’ll have time to pick it back up again. In the meantime you might like to check it out for yourself.

An enjoyable read that invites readers to look at the narratives that are being told around us and how they shape the world we live in and our faith. More and more I have been reading about how the narratives of the time shape the culture, faiths, and policies. This book through stories of the authors own, and others shows us examples of this which hopefully will help me think more critically about the stories I am allowing to shape myself and my faith.

"Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith" by Jennifer L. Holberg is an enlightening exploration of how stories influence and enrich our spiritual journey. Holberg masterfully delves into the profound connection between narratives and our faith, inviting readers to embark on a thought-provoking introspection.

With eloquent prose and insightful analysis, Holberg highlights how stories shape our beliefs, values, and perceptions. Through captivating examples and engaging anecdotes, she underscores the transformative impact of narratives on our spiritual growth. Her exploration extends across a diverse range of literature, underscoring the universality of storytelling's influence on our lives.

In "Nourishing Narratives," Holberg doesn't merely discuss the theory but also offers practical insights for readers to apply in their own lives. Her motivational approach encourages us to embrace the stories that resonate with our beliefs, fostering a deeper connection to our faith.

Overall, "Nourishing Narratives" is a compelling read that beautifully underscores the power of storytelling in shaping our faith. Holberg's passion and expertise make this book an inspiring reminder of the profound ways narratives can illuminate our spiritual path.

Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith by Jennifer L. Holberg is an important work. I have always been intrigued by story and that is what drew me to this book. I expected a book that reinforced my belief in the power of story, and yes I found exactly that. But the author of this book takes story to much greater lengths, to the level of life changing. This is a book to read slowly, to savor. I was reading this while waiting for an appointment and I was shocked how quickly the time flew. This book is an important read for all, especially people of faith. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is a well-written collection of thoughts on why words, language and stories are so central to our own narrative.
I believe that creativity is a reflection of God. It is His very nature to be creative, infinitely creative. His imagination is unlimited, displayed in the endless creativity we see around us, as well as the way He has created each of us to be unique. Billions of souls, all made in His image but all unique. What depth of imagination that takes. So to me it makes sense that our imaginations are a gift from Him, which, if well directed, can be used as an act of worship to bring the glory back to Him.
After all, storytelling was a tool that Jesus often used to communicate His message, each time bringing the focus back to the Kingdom of God. For millennia, people have used storytelling to communicate important truths ... stories grab our attention, spark our imaginations, engage us in the narrative and help us to associate with the message.
Hence why I resonate with the subtitle of this book, “The power of story to shape our faith”.
Professor Jennifer Holberg draws on her extensive knowledge of literature, writing and teaching, taking content from the likes of Dante, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Flannery O'Connor and Marilynne Robinson, drawing out many truths of how important story-telling is to our lives and our faith.

“In this season of growing darkness, I wonder how we as Christians choose to publicize the miracle we proclaim. If it is not leading to greater illumination—to a greater light—we might want to rethink how we’re doing it. How can we name the miracle, not as a simple fix, but as an abiding truth?”

Landmarking her thesis with poetry, artwork, and fragments of literature, Professor Jennifer L. Holberg, sets out to instill an appreciation for the power of narrative in our lives. While being profoundly honest about the brokenness of the world, she nonetheless shows us how to discover and engage with the hope and beauty around us.

Holberg’s work is very accessible and I loved her analysis of the poetry and stories woven throughout. It was delightful read, and I loved the mixture of old and new favorites among the poems she chose. Holberg’s work is a beautiful testament to how narratives form and are informed by everyday lives and culture and why they are such critical tools in our hopes for human flourishing

I loved this book. Holberg does an incredible job inviting her readers to interrogate the narratives that surround us - the ones we hear in the news, from our friends and family, from our churches, and the ones we tell ourselves. Sharing some of her own stories as well as the narratives told by some of the great writers of the English language, she asks her readers to consider who's telling the story, what the story says, how we interpret it, and the impact that these stories have on how we think, act, and live our lives. I'll be recommending Nourishing Narratives widely.

Jennifer Holberg’s Nourishing Narratives is a lovely consideration of the value of story in shaping lives and strengthening faith. Considering the stories we tell (or tell ourselves), listen to, value, or deeply engage with, the author draws from a carefully curated collection of poetry, literature, traditional hymns, fine art, and scripture to build a strong case for each of us to become “better reader[s]—more attuned to narrative assumptions and strategies and expectations.”

In meandering prose frequently punctuated with quotes and anecdotes, Holberg encourages us to shift our focus away from the apparent hero, assuring us that “the sweeping saga and the grand dram” are not the only stories worth looking for, reading, telling, and living. Quiet, everyday tales of the supportive and encouraging friend, the behind-the-scenes servant, and the folks who persist without necessarily succeeding (a cultural concept that deserves reconsideration in its own right) are just as vital and Christ-affirming as any of the great, thundering tales we’ve been conditioned to value. What’s more, it’s these small stories that we are more likely to relate to and see ourselves in. The overall result of this volume is that of taking a long, meditative walk with a drifting but thoughtful friend.

Because drift she does. As lovely as the book is overall, the anecdotes and metaphors (of which there are plenty) often feel a bit forced or simply pushed too far. By the final chapters, the dominant “story” motif, which tied the initial chapters together so beautifully, gets a bit muddied, either lost entirely or inflated to the point that it embraces everything. The initial idea of close reading for spiritual strength fizzles into just another watered-down version of “change your focus, change your life.”

Despite my disappointment with the final 20% of the book, I would still recommend this to any Christian reader looking for encouragement and uplift. In Nourishing Narratives, Holberg provides a thoughtful and compassionate defense for each of us to more deliberately consider which stories we invest in and tell.

My grandpa was a book editor for his entire career. A deep love of reading books was passed on to my mother and then to my siblings and me. This beautiful book, Nourishing Narratives, is a precious offering to the literary world. Not only does Jennifer Holberg share potent quotes and stories from a variety of genres (poetry, fiction, and non-fiction) but she weaves it all together with sharing from her own life, inviting the reader to consider the power of stories.

Holberg begins the book by sharing that she still has a card given to her by her fifth-grade teacher: a special teacher who taught her students to love reading (encouraged by a big pillow-lined bathtub where they could take turns reading!). As a Christian, Holberg invites other followers of Jesus to reflect on what it means that we are “people of the Book.” How does the gospel story- the Large Story that we seek to align our lives to- interact and intersect with the countless other smaller stories we read, hear, and live into every day?

Holberg is also a teacher, and she reflects on the profound gift and opportunity that teaching can be. She tries to help her students learn to see— to observe the wonder and beauty around them. To be people who take off their shoes when they notice they are treading on holy ground.

The closing words of the book are wonderful:
“Our hope as teachers is to send forth a shoeless generation, full of wonder, to continue to share the greatest story ever told.”

As someone who loves books and also seeks to love Jesus with my life, I found this book extremely fascinating- a beautiful read!

What is our story? Are they defined by highlights in our careers or are they tarnished by failures in our ventures? How do we tell our own stories? Which narrative should we share? Do we share inspiring ones or lament about the negative events in our lives? For author Jennifer Holberg, this book is about helping us share life-giving narratives of our lives. Readers also learn about paying close attention to the narratives of others, all for the purpose of sensing God's story in the larger world. We associate the names of people with memories of our encounters with them. We get a frank assessment of the popular use of testimonies, with the author questioning the stereotypes of the "Boring Testimony Syndrome" where believers are urged to share sensational conversion stories. The truth is, many of our personal narratives are complicated. We cannot and should not allow others to dictate our own narratives. Here, we learn to ask ourselves questions like:

- Why do I find it hard to share my personal stories?
- Why am I uncomfortable with my own narrative?
- What does the discomfort tell us about ourselves and our theology?
- Is the tension about something we feel needs to go away or to be embraced?
- What is the essence of the story and how can I share it in such a way as to bless another person?

Holberg urges us not to let stereotypes or other voices prevent us from telling our true stories. No story is too insignificant to tell. There is no shame to celebrate one's life no matter the fear of misconstrued perceptions. She encourages us with some inspired thoughts from celebrated writers like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Mary Oliver, Gerald Manley Hopkins, and also from a cookbook! Having addressed the nominal pressure to be less authentic due to cultural expectations, Holberg breathes fresh encouragement about the beauty of the ordinary. It is hoped that we can learn to look at the ordinary with enlightened eyes, to cultivate "seeds of joy" no matter how insignificant they might be perceived to be. Holberg also looks at friendships and the relationships we all cherish. Our desire to help and carry the burdens of others should be a two-way process. We need to learn to accept help in return. When we do so, we open ourselves up to the narratives of not just helping others but also being helped by others. We can also develop nourishing narratives in our vocation. Much of everyday work involves the mundane and repetitive. This can sometimes become a chore in our minds. Are we in the right job? Is God calling me to continue what I am doing? Do we need to have brilliant "success" in some projects before we can count it a successful career? How do we craft a narrative of such normal work? If we can just learn to see our vocation from the lens of witnessing, that might inject some purpose.

On the thought of books that could "save the world," Holberg is a little more cautious. While there are books that bring about some semblance of beauty and hope, what is more important is the appropriate "reading principles" to help us cultivate love for God and for neighbour. In a society that is increasingly threatened by selfishness, hate, and evil behaviours, we learn about how we can resist such tendencies through storytelling. From adequate representation to having a multiplicity of voices, it is hoped that greater understanding among diverse communities would bridge any longstanding or hidden gaps. Speak out against wrongs. Uphold the rights of the marginalized. Learn to recognize that there is more than enough space for all to live in peace in this world. Stories can move us deeper into "self-examination, repentance, and reconciliation."

My Thoughts
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I appreciate the angle that the author uses to address the need for hope. I remember watching the disaster movie, Deep Impact, which has been marketed with the catchphrase, "Oceans Rise. Cities Fall. Hope Survives." In a world that is increasingly troubled by assaults, divisiveness, hurts, violence, and all manner of despair, we need a way to anchor ourselves with hope. Surely, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is an oasis in the massive desert terrain. There is hope in a gloomy world. The gospel itself is full of hope, but we all need a way to see this hope come alive in our lives. Author Holberg shows us how stories can be a powerful medium to make such connections. Using her formidable knowledge of literary giants, Holberg equips us with a lens of hope through the profound eyes of such great writers. From the novelist Katherine Paterson, we learn that Christian hope needs to be perceived in the community. From the humble garden to the humble bee, we learn powerful lessons on drawing hope in nature. From the theologian NT Wright, we connect healing and love with hope. Poets like Christina Rossetti and Donald Hall write earnestly about life's challenges but ultimately point us to the fact that hope is always bigger than despair. Of death, the great writer Frederick Buechner declares boldly the Christian message that death will never have the final say. I am left bewildered that such a book with a "nourishing" title would in fact be a powerful device to instill hope.

A second reason why I am impressed with this book is the way the author weaves faith into storytelling. From literature to real life, it is the gospel that anchors one's interpretation or worldview. Such a reading is a subversive manner to help turn despair to hope; doubt to faith; and hatred to love. Holberg does not simply use literature to show us nourishing narratives, she includes stories of her own to show us how she manages to subvert the different forms of cultural intimidation, such as gender inequality, work inequity, social injustice, etc. For instance, she admits her struggle with the problem of evil and suffering, but clings on to faith and hope. While the world complains and laments about the problems caused by Covid-19, she learns to see the good opportunities presented during the pandemic lockdowns. She even points out the role of critiques that is not about tearing us down but opportunities to build up. Loss and the reality of death are never ever greater than the gain and the hope of the resurrection in Christ.

Finally, this book reminds me of the importance of personal spirituality and practicing faith. The late Eugene Peterson once said something like, "Spirituality is about noticing the things of the ordinary." Through ordinary literature, life, and events, if we maintain the gospel perspective, it is unlikely one will let despair overcome hope. Hopefully, this book can equip us to interpret our reading, our lives, and the world we live in with positive hope, something that the author calls "nourishing narratives." I love the title as it is an invitation toward spiritual nourishment and constructive participation in the world we live in. This book is a valuable resource to share and a treasure to keep.

Jennifer L. Holberg (PhD, University of Washington) is professor and chair of the English department at Calvin University and codirector of the Calvin Center for Faith and Writing, the home of the Festival of Faith and Writing. She is a founding coeditor of the academic journal Pedagogy and also the editor of Shouts and Whispers: Twenty-One Writers Speak About Their Writing and Their Faith.

Rating: 4.5 stars our of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of IVP Academic via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape our Faith is a thoughtfully written love story to the greatest story ever told. Jennifer Holberg masterfully uses literary works to unfold her lessons throughout the book. She continually points the reader to God's love and unpacks the value of sharing His love with the next generation.

I requested this book because I was looking at ways to better integrate faith in my composition classes. What I found was the need for me to better integrate this book in my day to day life. There were moments of conviction, moments of encouragements, moments of enlightenment, and moments of confirmation. I feel like this is a book I will reread regularly. The author does a wonderful job of incorporating research and outside sources without it being heavy handed. While this isn’t necessarily a book for teachers…all readers of faith could benefit from reading it…it does offer challenges and approaches for teaching that I believe would be helpful to many.

This was lively and insightful. It showed the depths of Gods love and the adundance of life through narratives of others.


I was given this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

When I picked up Jennifer Holberg's Nourshing Narratives, I was excited to see a modern Christian author addressing the importance of stories. The books that I most frequently hear about are often practical verging on self-help. While these are not bad and certainly have their place, I was excited to see a new publication that dealt with the academic and theoretical side of the narratives we read and tell. Still, as I read through the book, I found myself feeling that the book fell just short of my lofty expectations. Partly, this is a failing of my own. Holberg, an English professor, pulls heavily from poetry to make her case, and I haven't read poetry as extensively as prose. While I now have a long list of works to look up, I think I would have connected with the book earlier had my frame of reference overlapped a bit more.

Still, I did enjoy the book, and by the last chapter, I appreciated the lessons of the book deeply. The author's candid tale of her experience with pain mirrored that of a close friend who I long to support in a more Christ-like and helpful way, and Holberg's reminder that we should remind each other of the hope that we have in Jesus was so timely.