Water to Wine: Some of My Story

This book was an absolute joy for me! Thank you Brian Zahnd! From the opening chapter to the last page it felt like I was opening a gift. I truely appreciate what you have generously shared here.For those of you who are familiar with Brian Zahnd's work - his books, blogs, and sermon-podcasts - you won't be disappointed! In fact get ready to be overwhelmed. The poetry alone, included here, makes it worth ordering the book, but there's so much more. And for those who don't know Zahnd's work, I can tell you, you've been missing out! Brian Zahnd is a pastor, a poet, prophet and theologian. A true craftsman in the art of the written and spoken word.You may think you came across this author by random chance. Maybe so. Or you may sometime down the road come to see, as I have, it wasn't random chance at all, but Grace. Since I found Zahnd 4 years ago on the internet I can't come close to adequately expressing how much he has, with the heart of a pastor, helped me navigate my own spiritual transition and lead me into a much richer walk of faith.As prophets do, Zahnd here in Water To Wine offers critique of the church. Specifically the Christian church of North America. He has seen clearly and lived through many of the ills of the church which he addresses. Begining with "certitude" Brian points out how many Christians today have abandoned authentic faith for the easier, yet superficial walk of certainty, where wrestling with doubt (part of the fabric of faith) is considered back-sliding. He calls out the consumer-christianty he sees where suffering is avoided at all costs... the entertainment-oriented, partisan-political agenda, motivational seminar, you-can-have-it-all, success in life brand of christian chuch so previlant today. He looks at all of this, not with a pointing finger but with the invitation to let it all go. There is so much more than that watered-down way, there is still the Jesus Way - the robust, fascinating, beautiful and mysterious Jesus Way.Water To Wine is a hope-filled story. The door is open. Get this book. Enjoy the ride!

This is the first book I’ve read by Brian Zahnd, although I’ve been a follower of his blog for quite some time now. I’ve enjoyed his writing and the theology he embraces, so when I heard him announce he had published a portion of his life’s story, I eagerly ordered the book to learn a bit more about him. I’m glad I did… This book has been one of the more affirming and encouraging books I’ve read in a long time. While it’s not my intent to pontificate about me in this review, I will say without reservation Water to Wine is also some of my story. Even more intriguing than Brian’s story being so uncanny in its similarity to my own, is that this same path traced by Brian Zahnd seems to be a common thread in the journey of so many Protestants.This portion of Zahnd’s story begins with the desire to truly connect with the deep wisdom and mystery of the center of Christianity, the God-man, Jesus. Brian speaks of his ministry success and expresses his disenchantment with a “paper-thin Christianity propped up by cheap certitude.” He was yearning for something deeper, richer, fuller… What follows is an epic and eye-opening exploration to the ancient paths of the Christian faith and the discovery of traditions of deep-wisdom forged by the original apostles and disciples of Christ and continued by the saints who have followed them through the ages. This is The stuff of true disciples of the Way of Jesus Christ.Chapter by chapter, Zahnd interweaves some of his story with the history and experiences of those faithful followers through the ages who left the breadcrumbs of faith for us to follow. There is nothing that I do not absolutely love about this book, but there are several chapters that resonate so deeply within that I know it is the affirming nod of the Holy Spirit. One of these affirmations comes from chapters three, four, and five where Brian reflects on his reintroduction to the discipline of prayer…and perhaps even the redefining and rediscovery what prayer truly represents and can be. As I mentioned earlier, so much of what he “found” in this chapter was an echo of my own discovery with fixed-hour prayers, ancient prayer books, contemplative prayer, and more wrapped up in this richness of unity with the Godhead and with the fellowship and communion of the saints.Another chapter that is among my favorites and maybe my very favorite is chapter seven, Grain and Grape. In this chapter, Brian shares a wonderful exploration and treatment of the Eucharistic celebration that is the Table of the Lord. I love the connection he makes with the Incarnation of the Lord and the sacrament of Communion, the Eucharist. He writes; “The more deeply we are influenced by the sacred mystery of the Incarnation—that God became human—the more seriously we will take the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.” What proceeds for the remainder of this chapter following those words is an exhilarating journey into the realm of sacred mystery and earthbound glory.Zahnd concludes this portion of his testimony with a bit of an apologetic…not an apology. This is an explanation and invitation to “come and follow” on this incredibly rich ride that is the Christianity that has been born out of those early followers of Jesus. No, this is not a return to the old, but an honoring of the ancient as we stand on the shoulders of those who have faithfully journeyed before us. We walk side-by-side in the age we live, building on the traditions that have been time-honored methods of forming disciples of Jesus.There is much more that I could detail about this book, but I have been deliberately vague in the specifics of what Brian shares. If you are the slightest bit intrigued, I strongly encourage you to buy the book. If you have felt that following Jesus and the promises of your faith have fallen short of what you have believed it should be, buy the book. You might find a door opening that will set the course for the greatest adventure of your life…and ultimately be the faith that you have always believed was calling to you all along.

This book, from beginning to end, is a soothing salve to my soul. I am ready. I want to 'come with you' to where Jesus is leading. I too am on a journey away from watered down evangelicalism, politics, and certitude to rediscovering the genuine and deep love, the mystery, the liturgy, the sacraments and the full and beautifully diverse body of Christ. Thank you, Pastor Brian, for your willingness to step out into the unknown even though it cost you... and thank you for your commitment to bringing us with you. You helped me to begin this journey by divine appointment in 2011 when I didn't even know who you were, and I have been moving away from the comfortably familiar with such a peace because you've been a quiet voice out there making sense in all the noise. You've given me the confidence to press on... Thank you.

If you take your Christian faith seriously but find yourself desiring more fulfillment, this book shows you a path. It is a path the author walked when halfway through his life. He found the tepid “water” that he was preaching every Sunday needed to be transformed into potent “wine”, just as Jesus did so many years ago in Cana. But this transformation was not an easy path. It is a path I pray to follow as well. This book is intriguing and, in places, deep. But I suspect it will change your perception of true Christian faith as it did mine.

I Soooo wanted to like this. I have a few of Brian’s other books I love and highly recommend. This man’s theology changed my life. But this book. Hummmmmmm. This is supposed to be about his own life. But a lot of it is just preaching. And not even engaging preaching, like his other books. Really dry and tedious. Like he wanted to just hammer home his thoughts on theology and life.A bit is about his life. So far.....but loads is just about his belief. I wanted to know about him! I know his theology. This is so very dry reading material. It does not flow like his other books. The theology ones are a joy to read. Not this. In fact I have skimmed some it, it’s such hard work. It’s like trying to eat porridge without milk. Or coffee grounds without water. I don’t know what went wrong here. But it clearly did! And the only bits that he does mention about himself, are about how he and his wife are constantly.......And I mean constantly,........going on holiday! All over the world. A pang of jealously here, yes. But it is hard to read about a man who goes on and on about how poverty and those saints who practised it with God; are so wonderful to follow. And him saying its such a holy thing, indeed a thing that you need; when all you read in between is the next place abroad he visited! I am not quite sure how he adds the two up! But there is most certainly a little bit wrong here. Sorry Brian. I do not enjoy this book. Or it’s preachy under tone. A little more love and understanding, and a little less assuming how bad the church is might help! Some of this seems more about hot air. And him pointing to how wonderful his gifting is. Or how wonderful he is himself. I am really disappointed. Possibly in the future I will read it again and realise the place I am at may have clouded my own thoughts on this book. If so I will redo this review.

For those of us who feel restless with our faith, for those of us who feel that modern Christianity can often be too shallow, fundamentalist and obsessed with material progress, then this book is for you.*Water To Wine* traces Brian Zahnd's personal journey from drinking and dispensing 'grape juice' Christianity, to being awakened and intoxicated by the vintage wine of the Christian faith.Brian's words are a prophetic challenge and call to certain segments of the western church to let go of it's immaturity, consumerism and marriage to modern civil religion, and to once more rediscover and journey on the ancient pilgrim trail formed by those who traveled in the centuries before us. This is a summons to be re-acquainted with our rich heritage; to follow the road-markings of sacrament, creed and prayer; to seek a discipleship which is historically communal and cross-culturally diverse. This is an invitation to lose ourselves in the way of Jesus.Zahnd's previous works (*Beauty Will Save the World* and *A Farewell To Mars*) have all been encouraging and inspirational, giving a resonance to my own wandering over the last seven years. And *Water To Wine* follows suit in a beautiful and humble way.This is great piece of spiritual writing. A road-map to authentic religious experience. And a book all Christians should read.---Tristan Sherwin, author of *Love: Expressed*

If the church is to be the living God's ambassadors on the earth......it's time to start taking the Sermon on the Mount seriously.Brian Zahnd's testimony is one of quiet, radical change, and a commitment to the peaceful, joyful core of Christianity found in the teachings of the real Jesus. His journey is a painful detox from the over-nationalistic hijacking of the gospel that is heartrendingly widespread in some US evangelical churches, that God 'bless' our missiles as they crush 'His' 'enemies'. Zahnd hasn't got more followers from the process of repenting from the adultery of church and state that seem like a cultural blindspot for many US disciples. But what Zahnd has done is taken the historical Jesus seriously, and become far more inclusive and understanding in his outlook to believers and unbelievers alike.I recommend this book to all American/Western Christians who are confused with how snugly their political beliefs seem to fit into the priorities of the God of ALL peoples, languages and countries. It never ceases to amaze me how outward looking YWHW has always been, even since Abraham. Zahnd's expanded Lord's Prayers alone makes it worth getting the book, "Thy politics be done". I'm not sure if it is Zahnd's quote, or him referencing another, but the main takeaway is that 'The gospel of Jesus more political than anyone realises, but in a way that no one imagines.' I feel Greg Boyd and Shane Clayborne would approve this message of de-glorifying war. Boyd's 'Myth of a Christian Nation' is essential reading to anyone wanting to speak about the 'Christian' nature of America, which is theistic at best.Zahnd's book is an honest and engaging story about how to follow the call of Jesus to be a peace-wager in a nation that often has more characteristics in common with Rome than with Israel. He is probably harder on himself on his old sins that I want here to call him out on, but it is nice reading about a conversion much the same in nature as the apostle Paul's. Christians are destined to look a bit funny and ambiguous in the eyes of the world, if we are truly to follow Jesus. 'Pacifist,' 'leftie,' 'dreamer,' 'over-optimist,' 'traitor' - most of these labels could spring to people's minds, even people in the church, as the Spirit sends us to embody the seventh Beatitude, but it is obviously far more worthwhile to following the Prince of Peace into new territory. I'm glad Brian Zahnd took the plunge and encourages all American disciples of Jesus to begin rethinking and repenting as well.

I have four of Brian's books and each one builds upon the previous one, challenging and provoking you. Allow Brian to engage you with "some of his story", you won't be disappointed, as I said before, challenged and provoked, but not disappointed! Thank you Brian for your honesty, openness and integrity, in a world of "cotton-candy Christianity" you've given us a glimpse of the "unvarnished Jesus"!

Great thanks.