Shaping the scriptural imagination

By Donald Juel

Book Description

Donald Juel understood that reading scripture involves far more than academic study or casual browsing. In this thoughtful collection, he invites readers to discover how the Bible can become a transformative encounter with the divine, one that reshapes how we understand both God and ourselves.

Drawing from his lifetime of biblical scholarship and pastoral wisdom, Juel explores the dynamic relationship between reader and text. He examines how scripture functions as more than historical document or moral guidebook, revealing its power to engage our deepest imagination and spiritual longings. Through accessible reflections on the Bible's rhetorical richness and narrative depth, he demonstrates how ancient texts continue to speak with relevance and urgency.

The book addresses practical challenges facing anyone seeking to engage scripture meaningfully in contemporary life. Juel considers how readers can position themselves within biblical stories, finding their own place in the ongoing narrative of faith. His discussions range from the art of theological interpretation to the profound hope embedded in resurrection themes.

Rather than offering simple answers, Juel encourages readers to develop what he calls a "richer imagination" about the nature of God and divine encounter. This collection serves as both invitation and guide for those ready to move beyond surface-level reading toward a more transformative engagement with sacred text. The result is a deeper, more vibrant spiritual life rooted in authentic biblical encounter.