Jennifer L. Holberg

Summary: Making sense of our lives and our faith through the stories that shape us.

Stories have a powerful way of shaping our lives. Some are the stories we tell of ourselves. Some are the stories that have captured our imagination. And there is the story of our faith, the larger story of God in which we find ourselves. Jennifer L. Holberg, a professor of English and co-director of Calvin College’s Center of Faith and Writing found her own life shaped by stories from childhood and loves exploring their shaping power with her students. In this work, she reflects on the ways stories have shaped her and how they are central to a vibrant Christian faith.

She opens the book by sharing some of the story of discovering the power of story in her life and the work she does with students to read stories in nuanced ways that nourish their lives. She draws on sources as diverse as old cookbooks, the Exodus narratives, and the poetry of Mary Oliver and Gerard Manley Hopkins to explore the idea of enough. Carrie Newcomer’s lyrics open a chapter on the grace of the ordinary, going on to explore Mary Oliver’s “Summer Morning” and “In the Storm,” in which the tails of ducks form a roof to protect sanderlings, “a hedge of feathers” that is a miracle amid the ordinary. And then she speaks of the faithfulness of her own father, a military officer who modeled Christ, put family first, and remembers the anniversary of her doctorate each year. She uses Tennyson’s In Memoriam to explore the nature of friendship and loss, remarking the power of churches bringing casseroles and cakes when you are in trouble, the need to be vulnerable, and the generous gift that enabled Harper Lee to write To Kill a Mockingbird–the generosity of a friend. She spotlights the biblical Martha and Matthias, the thirteenth apostle, those ready to serve as faithful witnesses.

I found the chapter on “Small Steps at Very Great Cost” particularly striking. Holberg writes of our experiences of the pandemic. As a single person who was used to being alone, a bit of a hermit, she enjoyed it in a way, yet like many of us was deeply concerned with the rents in our social fabric. She quotes a poem of Tracy K. Smith, “An Old Story” with the phrase “When at last we knew how little/Would survive us–how little we had mended.” but concludes with the reappearance of creatures and color thought gone forever, expressing the hope of renewal out of the ashes that we hope for. She speaks tellingly of the power of our words, the stories we tell, not to save, but to shape; likewise the small acts of great service, the considering of the other’s interest. And to those who would hurl the epithet “sheep” at those who embrace the servant way, she considers this an honor. She is following the Lamb of God.

The whole thrust of this book is to draw together the constituent elements of hope, because such hope, nourished on story is what sees us through. She concludes the book sharing of her love of working with students. She is not one to bemoan “this generation” but rather shares her hope for them as they explore stories together to know they are loved, to know they are enough, and to know their voice matters.

I think I would have loved to have Holberg as a teacher. She loves literature, not as material just to analyze and critique, but when read closely, to read our lives and offer hope. She writes both with informal elegance and spunk, sharing vulnerably her own stories, even challenging the silence around women’s health issues and menstruation. Through the many poems and stories, we see the biblical story, the pilgrim journey in the way of the cross, the hope of those who forsake all to follow Christ. She sums up what she has drawn from these stories (and particularly from The Divine Comedy) in three phrases. Don’t be afraid. Love in abundance. God’s got this.

These are good watchwords and evidence someone who has mastered, or been mastered by, her subject matter. How we need these words for our time. What strikes me as I consider this is that they reflect the kinds of stories to which Holberg has given herself–true, noble, good, and beautiful stories. Not all stories are such, nor would all lead to these watchwords. On what narratives will we nourish ourselves?

________________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.… (altro)

"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.… (altro)