First published 1985
Frederick Buechner, novelist and minister at a private school, examines biblical passages through the lens of an artist who loves language and narrative detail. He addresses students directly as he works through stories from Jacob wrestling with the angel to the annunciation and birth of Jesus. Buechner positions himself not as a saint but as a fellow seeker who doubts and questions alongside his audience. He finds that Jacob's wrestling match gives the book its title, representing a magnificent defeat that reveals deeper truths. Throughout these reflections, Buechner returns repeatedly to beauty and joy as the foundation for faith. He argues that life's true miracle lies in opening ourselves to what he calls the fierce and transforming joy of reality itself, whether we name it King of kings and Lord of lords or call it nothing at all.
Genres: literary-fiction, christian, 20th-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
144 pages · Paperback · Harpercollins