Amy Peeler Archives - Bob on Books

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time (Fullness of Time Series), Amy Peeler. InterVarsity Press | Formatio (ISBN: 9781514009680) 2026.

Summary: The significance of Ordinary Time within the church calendar and how it has been practiced and what it can mean for us.

“Jesus’ life would have included many ordinary days, days in which he was simply walking from one place to another.”

Amy Peeler, having visited the Holy Land, came to this realization. We tend to think of the big, redemptive events in Jesus’ life. But so much of life for him, as for us, was ordinary. There were days where Jesus, asked about what he did that day, may well have said, “Nothing.” And perhaps that is good. We need time to reflect upon the extraordinary, to allow it to work deep into the marrow of our lives.

In the development of the church’s liturgical year, the largest portion of time is apportioned to “ordinary time.” This includes the time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday and from Pentecost to Advent. In this book, Amy Peeler explores the significance of Ordinary Time, and that it can be a different season of growth, quieter and deeper, amid the quotidian events of “normal life.” She observes that the weekly prayers (Propers) remind us of God’s provision in the challenged of life. And, positioned between the celebrations of Christ’s birth, and his death and resurrection, the lectionary frames our own progress through life within that of Christ’s.

After introducing the idea of Ordinary Time, Peeler uses seven words or phrases to capture the richness of this season.

Green. It’s the liturgical color of this season. Green signifies growth and reminds us of God’s work in us from baptism on in forming us to be more like Christ. We learn increasingly to walk in freedom rather than in slavery to sinful desires, patiently, day by day.

Bold. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the Visitation, falls within Ordinary Time. But what was bold about this visit? It’s not in the women’s status, which is humble. Rather it is in Mary’s “Magnificat” that boldly proclaims God’s sovereignty that topples the powerful and exalts the humble. And not only that, it is the prayer used daily in evening prayers. The church joins in the bold proclamation of the greatness of our Lord.

Triune. The first Sunday after Pentecost, the first of Ordinary Time is Trinity Sunday. The doctrine is complex. But our worship reminds us that our call is not to master this doctrine but to celebrate the Three in One. Peeler then reflects how the Ordinary Season is laced with affirmations of the being and activity of the Triune God, culminating in weekly Eucharistic prayers.

Feast. Peeler reflects on her move from Baptist to Anglican churches. Far from weekly celebrations of the Eucharist being perfunctory, she walks through the service, and describes her own awe in officiating.

Image of God. This chapter and the next two consider the Genesis accounts of Abraham. Not only do Abraham and Sarah and Hagar see God, but God sees them. He sees his chosen, created in his image. And thus, these stories challenge us to affirm God’s image in others and ourselves.

Trust. While God promises a child to Abraham and Sarah, they act in untrusting and unseemly ways with Hagar and Ishmael. Yet God works in what seems a tragic situation to teach each of them to trust him. Then Peeler invites us to consider how we are learning to trust God.

Gratitude. So, how do we come to gratitude in the test in which Abraham obeys the command of God to sacrifice Isaac, only for God to restrain him and direct him to a ram? For Peeler, the answer is in how it previews the work of Christ. God does what he prevents Abraham from doing. While that is indeed cause for thanksgiving, I wonder about other elements of Peeler’s account. At very least, there is a question of whether Isaac returned with Abraham and his servants. Genesis 22:19 mentions only Abraham returning to the servants. In Genesis 24:62, he is living in the Negev, separate from Abraham. I still wonder if Isaac was the willing victim, or whether there was a struggle. The text is silent, but I note that afterwards, Isaac separates from Abraham.

Peeler concludes with Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. The feast reminds us, amidst the kingdoms of the world, of Christ’s coming rule, toward which we live every day.

This book is a marvelous guide to Ordinary Time. It is not time when nothing is happening, where we mark the days until Advent or Lent. Rather it is the time we grow quietly in our identity as God’s image bearers. It is a time to grow more like Christ in trust and thanksgiving as we regularly partake of Christ. We learn to see the Trinity woven through the church’s life and to boldly hope and witness to the work of the sovereign King.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Hebrews (Commentaries for Christian Formation), Amy Peeler. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802877383) 2024.

Summary: A commentary for Christian formation focused on the greatness of Christ, Christian faithfulness, and Christian community.

The Epistle to the Hebrews alternately inspires, puzzles, and sometimes alarms. It’s portrayal of Christ’s greatness ands great saving work leaves us in awe and wonder. Yet we don’t know who wrote it and the discussions of sacrifices and covenant takes some background understanding. Meanwhile, the warnings for those who drift away are alarming, especially to those of tender conscience. Amy Peeler, in this contribution to the Commentaries for Christian Formation, addresses all these aspects and more.

The series focuses on Christian formation, the fostering of growth in faith, holiness, and Christian discipleship that ought to be the aspiration of every believer. Peeler does this, albeit at a level of scholarship that is accessible, but will probably stretch many lay readers. The commentary takes sections of the text and first gives a brief overview and then walks through the text verse by verse, using Peeler’s translation. What is striking is her readable prose, which is not simply notes elaborating the biblical text. In addition, she offers an introduction to the book, thoroughly covering the ground, but not excessively. Finally, there is a concluding section, framed in the form of ten questions that both offer a thematic summary of the commentary and address pastoral concerns in Christian formation. The final question focuses on how one might prepare to teach Hebrews.

There were three great themes I noted running through her commentary. First, was her development of the superior character of the person and work of Christ, greater than angels, greater than the levitical priesthood, ushering in a new and greater covenant through the greater sacrifice of himself as high priest of the order of Melchizedek. Yet his greatness embraced humility and learning obedience.

Second is the theme of Christian faithfulness and the warnings to “sluggish” Christians not to drift, not to harden their hearts, and especially not to apostatize. In this regard, Peeler addresses both the tender conscience wrestling with sin, and the complacent, who need to be concerned lest they presume upon God. Rather, Hebrews offers this vision of the race of faith, inspired by the cloud of witnesses who have run ahead of us, foremost being the Lord Jesus himself.

Finally, Peeler emphasizes that this is a sermon to a community. Already we have our solidarity with those who ran before us. But in addition, there are those who run with us and the call to instruct and encourage one another. We are to continue in love, and to imitate the way of life of our leaders.

Peeler, in her concluding summary, addresses the “liminality” of Hebrews. She notes the parallel between the audience of Hebrews and being a Christian in the present time. What does it mean to live faithfully in this “in between” space? How do we neither retreat from nor accommodate the culture? What does it mean to keep confessing Jesus and our great salvation in him alone? These are questions that arise because of the portrait of the person and work of Christ in Hebrews, and its call to Christian faithfulness. These are questions I will continue to ponder….

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.