Cup Overflowing
Wine’s Place in Faith, Feasting, and Fellowship
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Zondervan Reflective (Zondervan)
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
Wine is the most talked-about food in the Bible, and yet western Christianity has largely neglected this important biblical theme and fragrant gift of God. Have you ever wondered what Jesus would drink? Was his family perhaps involved in growing vines and making wine? What would their family celebrations have been like? And what might this tell us about God and how he wants us to live today? Food and wine have become such hot topics in our culture, and yet there is so much confusion and ambivalence around it as well. We are so far removed from the world of the Bible and the agrarian life that it represents. It is hard to envision the farms and fruit orchards, the village wells and sheep herds, the olive groves and vineyards that Jesus would have walked by every day. Drawing on her upbringing in a long-standing family tradition of winemakers and her degrees in biblical studies and spiritual theology, Gisela Kreglinger introduces readers in a light-hearted way to the theme of wine in the Bible, throughout the history of the church, and in the church's feasting and fellowship today. She also addresses how many Christians are fearful or concerned about wine because of the challenges of alcohol abuse, how to nurture a culture of healing from such disorders, and how we are called to celebrate God's gift of wine to grow into a fuller understanding of the gospel as we await the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. In this book, Gisela shows Christians that wine is a gift from God that we are to receive with gratitude and enjoy in wholesome, communal, and redemptive ways. Features include: Instructions for holding a wine tasting as a spiritual practice. A biblical and theological reflection on the "True Vine" of John 15. A discussion guide for developing a healthy drinking culture.
Endorsements (5)
“Once more Gisela Kreglinger’s gifts of clarity, enthusiasm, and scholarship come to the fore in this new book, an exploration and celebration of wine’s central place in faith and Scripture. She writes as much for the sceptic as for the enthusiast, showing a real understanding of how and why temperance movements have arisen, and making the case for moderation as itself part of the pleasure and celebration of wine. There is rich history here, together with wisdom and philosophy but also a great deal of practical help and advice for creating and sustaining a healthy drinking culture.”
“Gisela Kreglinger is religious and I’m not, which did not at all stop me from enjoying her delicious new release much more than most contemporary wine books. Too often we are expected to appreciate someone’s personal “tasting notes”—how boring! Gisela’s book is not a guide, more like a path. With a welcome simplicity and joyous spirituality, she delivers profound reflections on wine’s place in our culture. Her take on the biblical view of wine surprised and delighted me, deepening my appreciation of wine’s place in my own life.”
“While wine imparts the Spirit’s blessing and joy, we find ways to foolishly misuse the gift and inflict harm. Thankfully, we have Gisela Kreglinger, a wise and generous theologian, to guide us into wholeness and abundance.”
“I was so excited to read Cup Overflowing by my friend Gisela Kreglinger, and it did not disappoint! Gisela is one of the smartest people I know, and this book is a fascinating deep dive into the role of wine in Christian spirituality. For Christian professionals, Cup Overflowing offers a profound reminder that our work and celebrations can be imbued with divine joy and purpose, transforming ordinary moments into sacred experiences that deepen our connection with God and each other. I highly recommend it!”
“when we fail to steward this gift well. It’s so easy to approach consumption with an all-or-nothing attitude, wanting to categorize foods and drinks as wholly good or wholly bad. Gisela resists that compulsion, instead teaching us that to respect God’s gift of wine, we must understand its limits (and our own). This book is a gift both to those who already love and appreciate wine and to those who are unsure how alcohol fits into the Christian life. I hope you’ll read it while savoring a glass!”
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