Book Description
As Kelly Pigott writes in his prologue, “Faith is like gumbo; for it to be authentic, at some point you have to make it your own.” In From Eden to Heaven: Spiritual Formation for the Adventurous, Pigott describes the journey to authentic faith using the language of pilgrimage, or perigrinatio, that path that all believers travel as they seek to follow Jesus, mature in their faith, and explore their most common fears and deepest questions: What does it mean to follow Christ? Is this all there is? How do I keep going? Who am I—and who has God designed me to be?
Enriched by the author’s superb storytelling and warm style, From Eden to Heaven provides pastoral guidance steeped in church and biblical history—along with journaling exercises and relevant additional reading—all intended to offer both challenges and guideposts along the path to authentic spiritual transformation.
Book Reviews
Kelly Pigott is a master modern storyteller. He is also a really good historian who doesn’t know how to bore people. All of this and more is evident in this excellent book, which helps you pay attention to the signposts of Christian pilgrimage. Kelly does not provide the formulaic pop-answers we are too comfortable with. Rather, he helps you understand yourself, God, and the ancient community of faith from which we all receive life. He wants you to think more deeply, far beyond the simple answers our culture and churches provide us that have the habit of disillusioning us when life slams into our bad theology.
—John H. Armstrong
Author, Costly Love
Founder, The Initiative: A Community for the Unity of All Jesus Followers
Kelly told me about this book several years ago. As a fan of history, I was excited. Seeing it now in print, I am overjoyed. Kelly brilliantly (and I use that word intentionally) weaves his humanity into the biblical narrative while adding ancient commentaries from church fathers and mothers. This book is at once comprehensive, thorough, tender, honest, coherent, piercing, human, and humorous. It is an epic work hiding out in the open under the cover of humility. I am so proud of Kelly and deeply appreciative for the creative way he has presented biblical history. This is spiritual formation at its best.
—Jim Henderson
Author of Jim and Casper Go to Church
With wit and wisdom, Pigott entices the reader to take seriously the Christian path of transformation. Herein lies a trustworthy guide for those seeking to live an abundant life.
—Phileena Heuertz
Founding partner, Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism
Author of Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life and
Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation
As its subtitle implies, From Eden to Heaven is an adventure. That’s true because life is an adventure, and this book is about our spiritual journey through life. Readers will be blessed by an excellent guide. Kelly Pigott employs his skills as a pastor, church historian, theologian, teacher, and friend to make sure we see all the sights that make the journey fascinating and notice the landmarks that help us find our way. Travel with wonder and awe!
—Marv Knox
Field Coordinator, Fellowship Southwest
While ideally every reader would have the privilege of calling Kelly Pigott friend, this book bridges the distance. His kindness and compassion are evident on every page, and his stories are heartwarming and eye-opening. In these pages, Pigott is a faithful, pastoral, and trustworthy guide as the reader embarks on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual transformation. May this book provoke big questions and even bigger changes as readers encounter God’s transforming Spirit.
—Danielle Shroyer
Author of Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place and
Where Jesus Prayed: Illuminating the Lord’s Prayer in the Holy Land