Shane J. Wood - Between Two Trees: Our Transformation from Death to Life

Praise for
BETWEEN TWO TREES

If you doubt its possible for one image to tell the whole story from Genesis toRevelation, then you need to read Shane Woods masterful Between Two Trees. Thereisnt another book that comes close to it, both in its pioneering methodology andin its brilliance of presentation. I found myself completely absorbed and provokedby my own missed readings of the Scriptures.

Leonard Sweet, Charles Wesley Distinguished Professor of Doctoral Studies, EvangelicalSeminary

Through theological reflection poised with poetic flare, Shane Wood admirably exploresthe trials and triumphs of a world united to death yet wooed by a tender father toreturn home. This book challenges our understanding of the problem of Eden and enhancesthe revelation of the depths of Gods solution in Jesusunion with God. Reading BetweenTwo Trees, you will be deeply enriched, tenderly called, and masterfully guided intothe transformative power of the incarnate Christ.

Fr. Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and best-sellingauthor of Everything Belongs and Falling Upward

A professor of mine once told me I could not understand either the apostle Paulor the Bible until I understood the potency of death. He said Paul was a thanatologist,which means one who studies death. That professor was right, but very fewuntil ShaneWoods excellent, playful, and poetic exploration of the Bibles thanatologyhavelet the specter of death emerge in furious force in their theology. Between Two Treesis a splendid entrance into the heart of Christian theology.

Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary, andauthor of The King Jesus Gospel

The Bible tells a huge story, one big enough to embrace, empower, and transformeveryones story. This book unpacks that huge story as well as any I have ever read.I am so grateful to Shane Wood for giving the church such an insightful and helpfulway to understand Gods big story. Between Two Trees will help us grasp a betternarrative and help us transform our own stories into better tales of redemption.

Rick Atchley, Senior Teaching Minister, The Hills Church, North Richland Hills,TX

The Bible opens with a tree, and it closes with a tree. In between, we find an epictale of Gods love for us. Shane Wood knows the metanarrative of Scripture like fewothers, but what is more important is that he lives its principles every day. Hetrusts the author who writes the story and the gardener who cares for his creation.Be sure to read Between Two Trees and nurture the fruit within.

Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan and Dont Give Up

How do you tell the story of humanity as portrayed in the Bible and make it bothriveting and relevant with fresh twists around every bend? Shane Wood has accomplishedjust that. Part autobiography, part theology, and part narrative of the story ofevery human being, we laugh, cry, agonize, and end with great hope as we see thestory of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation with fresh eyes. A delightto read.

Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

Between Two Trees is a contemplative and passionate work that explains in a scholarlyyet accessible manner the personal transformation we can all have by knowing ChristJesus. Shane Wood brilliantly challenges us to cling to hope, love, and life, evenwhile we are in the middle of struggle, strife, and division. I highly recommendBetween Two Trees as a guide for your spiritual journey.

Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor, Community Christian Church, Naperville, IL, and authorof Finding Your Way Back to God and Starting Over

Simultaneously honest confession and wise counsel, Shane Woods Between Two Treesinvites us to contemplate life in terms of union and transformation. Anyone lookingfor new perspectives on old questions about faith and life, about sin and death andGod, about being fully human, will be enriched by this book. It guides us towardliving between the trees of creation and new creation in light of the tree in themiddle: the cross of Jesus.

Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology,St. Marys Seminary & University

Shane Wood understands that our life of union with God has been reduced to a simpletransaction: confess Jesus, get heaven someday. He opens our eyes to the drama andmystery of Gods ardent longing for humanity and our eager response to this relentlesslove.

Jan Johnson, author of Invitation to the Jesus Life and Meeting God in Scripture

Shane Wood steers our heads and hearts to the final pages of the Bible and helpsus better understand Gods blueprint for a transformed creation. The work of Jesushas changed, is changing, and will change the sinful world we live in, and that includesour sin-saturated lives. Between Two Trees will help you bridge the gap between whoyou are and who you most long to be.

Jon Weece, Lead Follower, Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY, and authorof Jesus Prom and Me Too

Only a few authors compel me to immediately read anything they write. Dr. ShaneWood is one of those authors. I know of no finer scholar who truly embodies whatit means to love God and love people. Youll find his reasoning to be well thought-out,God-centered, and full of grace. Im grateful for the insight, encouragement, andconviction that Shanes work has brought to my life. I know youll experience thesame as well.

Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Grace and God of Tomorrow

In his own inimitable style, which can only be described as theological poetry,Dr. Wood manages to bridge the breadth of the Bible by rooting the grand narrativein a tangible metaphor of two trees. This simplified template of Gods metanarrativehelps us get our hands around the entirety of the Bible. We owe a debt to Dr. Woodfor allowing us to see with prophetic clarity Gods heart as well as our own.

Mark Moore, Teaching Pastor, Christs Church of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ, and authorof The Chronological Life of Christ and Kenotic Politics

Shane Wood penetrates the surface of the biblical story to reveal how Gods originalcreation went wrong and how it will be restored. Wood shows that the redemption Godoffers is nothing less than restoration of the Eden ideal, which is at the heartof our deepest longings. With fresh insight, Shane Wood explores and explains thefear, anxiety, alienation, and vulnerability we experience living between the fatefultree of Eden and the restorative tree of Revelation.

Thomas Williams, best-selling author of The Crown of Eden

BETWEEN
TWO TREES

OUR TRANSFORMATION FROM DEATH TO LIFE

SHANE J. WOOD

BETWEEN TWO TREES
Our Transformation from Death to Life

Copyright 2019 by Shane J. Wood

ISBN 978-1-68426-070-6 | LCCN 2018025681

Printed in the United States of America

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithoutprior written consent.