Midrashic Imagination
Texts and Textures for Pulpit and Pew
- Preaching & Worship
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Elisabeth R. Jones argues for an approach to preaching that facilitates holy inspiration, transformational discipleship, and faithful public witness. What she demonstrates in this book is a tested method of midrashic biblical imagination that enables preachers and their communities of faith to explore the polyvalence of the biblical text. In Midrashic Imagination, Jones draws on ancient and contemporary interpretive practices that privilege curiosity, open-ended questioning, and faithful imagination. Jones's midrashic biblical imagination enables the preacher and congregation, or people in other communal settings, to unlock the various interpretive possibilities of any biblical text or genre. Midrashic Imagination provides an approach to Scripture that delays judgment, works across confessional and theological differences, and invites inquiry and curiosity centered on the biblical text. Midrashic Imagination is designed for working preachers who are called to preach biblically while searching for a solid, adaptable method to take the Bible imaginatively too. This book is a good fit for preachers focused on the sacred connection between the lively word of God in Scripture and today's cultural landscape, spiritual longings, hopes, and fears.
Endorsements (3)
“Praise for Midrashic Imagination It feels like my whole adult life I’ve been learning from Elisabeth R. Jones—from my first weeks of theological education, when she was one of my teachers in my mid-twenties. Jones has always been a thoughtful and engaging teacher, scholar, and preacher. Midrashic Imagination pulls together all her strengths and addresses a deep need in the progressive left space of Christian churches. Drawing on the deep well of the midrashic tradition of rumbling with sacred text, she expertly guides us from a place of theological anemia to a rich and deep practice, grounded in that which is wholly love, allowing us to aspire to the bold discipleship we dare to claim.”
“With wisdom, warmth, and clarity, Midrashic Imagination invites preachers and congregations to reclaim Scripture as a living, generative conversation. Elisabeth R. Jones shows how turning to the text together can renew our holy curiosity, deepen our shared faith, and spark a courageous, justice-seeking imagination in our time. This book is a gift to anyone looking to inspire Christian communities to new depths of scriptural engagement and together find new ways to proclaim good news in challenging times.”
“This book should perhaps come with a warning: Only embark on the journey of biblical midrashic imagination with your congregation if you’re willing to be transformed, to have your breath taken away, to witness miracles together. Because the practice of turning to these ancient texts in community will send the words flying off the page and into the life you share.”
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