Description
Wine is the most talked-about food in the Bible, and yet western Christianity has largely neglected this important biblical theme and fragrant gift of God.
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would drink? Was his family perhaps involved in growing vines and making wine? What would their family celebrations have been like? And what might this tell us about God and how he wants us to live today? Food and wine have become such hot topics in our culture, and yet there is so much confusion and ambivalence around it as well. We are so far removed from the world of the Bible and the agrarian life that it represents. It is hard to envision the farms and fruit orchards, the village wells and sheep herds, the olive groves and vineyards that Jesus would have walked by every day.
Drawing on her upbringing in a long-standing family tradition of winemakers and her degrees in biblical studies and spiritual theology, Gisela Kreglinger introduces readers in a light-hearted way to the theme of wine in the Bible, throughout the history of the church, and in the church's feasting and fellowship today. She also addresses how many Christians are fearful or concerned about wine because of the challenges of alcohol abuse, how to nurture a culture of healing from such disorders, and how we are called to celebrate God's gift of wine to grow into a fuller understanding of the gospel as we await the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. In this book, Gisela shows Christians that wine is a gift from God that we are to receive with gratitude and enjoy in wholesome, communal, and redemptive ways.
Features include:
- Instructions for holding a wine tasting as a spiritual practice.
- A biblical and theological reflection on the "True Vine" of John 15.
- A discussion guide for developing a healthy drinking culture.
About the Author
Gisela H. Kreglinger (PhD) grew up on a winery in Franconia, Germany, where her family has been crafting wine for many generations. She holds two Master’s degrees in Biblical Studies from Regent College and a PhD in historical theology from the University of St. Andrews. She teaches Christian Spirituality in the academy, churches, on her annual wine pilgrimages, and every time an opportunity opens up around the dinner table, preferably with a glass of well-crafted wine to inspire her musings on wine, faith, and the importance of cultivating joy and conviviality. Kreglinger is also the author of Cup Overflowing, The Spirituality of Wine, and The Soul of Wine.