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God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God's Unexpected Coming

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Christian Book Award Finalist

But God speaks through wombs,
birthing prophetic utterances. . . .
Enough of this unbelieving religion
that masquerades as faith.
Divine favor is placed on what we
have disgraced.

In God Speaks Through Wombs, Drew Jackson explores the first eight chapters of Luke's Gospel in a new poetic register. These are declarative poems, faithfully proclaiming the gospel story in all its liberative power. Here the gospel is the "fresh words / that speak of / things impossible."

From the Magnificat ("That girl can sing! . . . She has a voice / That can shatter shackles") to the baptism of Christ ("I stepped in / Committing insurrection"), this collection helps us hear the hum of deliverance—against all hope—that's been in the gospel all along.

ISBN-13: 9781514002674

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Publication Date: 09-14-2021

Pages: 160

Product Dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

Drew Jackson is the founding pastor of Hope East Village in New York City. He also writes poetry at the intersection of justice, peace, and contemplation, with a passion to contribute toward a more just and whole world. He and his wife have twin daughters and live in Lower Manhattan.

What People are Saying About This

Brandon Wrencher

"I've known Drew for over a decade, and this book bears witness to his soul: a careful listener, passionate conversation partner, bold truth teller, and tenderhearted empath. Drew has always been an artist, crafty with words and sounds. God Speaks Through Wombs reflects Drew's soulful artistry. Through his poetic genius, Drew effortlessly weaves together the ancient stories of the Gospel of Luke with social movement history, popular culture, contemporary justice issues, theological rigor, and more. Every pastor, theologian, faith-rooted activist, and person of faith who cares about the intersection of faith and justice needs this book. You won't be able to preach, teach, pray, sing, or question the Gospel of Luke the same!"

Nikole Lim

"This book of poetry offers a beautifully nuanced perspective on themes of oppression, of liberation, of suffering, of hope for what has been promised. Drew weaves together biblical experiences with the language and perspectives of modern activists. His poetry allows us to experience the voice of God through words on the page. I will be using these poems for creative inspiration, as prayer, as a liturgy for all the things that are difficult to speak about in a dark and difficult world. This collection will offer you great solace, speaking life into your spirit."

Malcolm B. Foley

"God Speaks Through Wombs is a fresh take on the first eight chapters of the Gospel of Luke and a poetic invitation into the world of the Scriptures. What we read here is not translation, but rather more. We are transported into the ministry of Jesus and beckoned to walk alongside him with the oppressed he came to save. Jackson's poetry brings to light the fact that Christ's ministry is, in many ways, an affirmation of human dignity in general and of Black dignity specifically. This Savior is very much for you, not against you."

Rachel Joy Welcher

"This poetic commentary weaves biblical narrative with contemporary issues of justice, lament, and hope. It is for anyone looking to meditate deeply on the Gospels. Jackson's unique approach, along with his heart for God's Word, makes this collection an instant classic, a true gift to the church."

Rich Villodas

"With undeniable depth and brilliant creativity, Drew Jackson offers a powerful poetic tour through the Gospel of Luke. Drew joins poignant cultural analysis with biblical faithfulness, and does so in a way that kept me captivated throughout. This book is a gift, offering us a fresh vision of the gospel story with profound flow."

Richard Rohr

"If poetry is the art of the indirect, the undefended doorway into deeper consciousness, then Drew Jackson is a wonderful new teacher on the scene! Seldom have I read such direct insight into spiritual moments and spiritual matters . . . . I am already eager to see and hear more!"

Jon Batiste

"In a time like this, we need divine creativity, and the words Drew has written are just that. . . . His words are powerful, and his creative process is filled with mysterious and divine wonder."

Table of Contents

Foreword Jon Batiste 1

Introduction 3

I Openings

Theophilus (Lover of God) 9

God Speaks Through Wombs 10

The Spirit of Elijah 12

Nazareth 13

Theotokos (God-Bearer) 14

Say His Name 15

Leap! 16

That Girl Can Sing! 17

He's Not Like His Father 18

Faith Opens Mouths 19

II Revelations

In Those (These) Days 23

O Little Town 24

Where Lambs Feed 25

Census Day 26

Soter 27

Treasures 28

Ceremonies and Rituals 29

Provisions 30

We Gon' Be Alright 31

Gray Heads 32

As Children Do 33

III Immersions

Alert to the Times 37

Waters of Insurrection 38

Tradition 40

Down by the Riverside 41

Immersion 42

Good Trouble 43

The Waters of My Weeping 44

All In 45

I Am Son 46

Of Earth and Sky 47

IV Temptations

Desert of Desire 51

Prove It 52

Views 53

Shuckin' and Jivin' 54

An Opportune Time (Out in these Streets) 55

The Accent of Home 56

4×100 (My Leg of the Race) 57

The Anointing 58

Back Pew Talk 59

Euangelion (From Below) 60

Teaching Time 61

Today 62

Challenge 63

Apparently 64

A Rude Awakening 65

On the Edge of Things 66

Possessed 67

Authority and Power 69

The Homes of My Friends 70

N'em 71

Desert Places 72

Vocatio 73

V Rolling Deep

Gennesaret 77

Blue Collar 78

Jackpot 80

Few and Far Between 81

Vocation: Redefined 82

What Love Touches 83

Withdraw 84

Crowded Out 85

The Crew 86

Who Can Forgive 87

Rise Up, My People 88

Internal Dialogue at a Tax Booth 89

Follow Me 91

Dinner Party 92

Around Tables 93

Wineskins 94

VI On the Plain

Fields of Wheat 97

Sabbath 98

Same Energy 99

A Grand Unfolding 100

Nicknames 101

Hands Full of Heaven 102

Late Night Commercials 103

Fermented Lament 104

Haters 105

Enemy Love 106

Turning Cheeks 108

Grade School Ethics 109

Logs and Splinters 110

Our Good Tree 112

Wise Words from Mom 113

VII Life Lessons

I Struggle with the Word Deserves 117

Under the Rubble 119

Youth Mortality 120

Mothers Like Us 121

Magic Words of Spring 122

From Behind Bars 123

G.O.A.T. Status 124

Demonized 126

When They Invited Me for Dinner 127

Alabaster 128

Three Kinds of Sinners 129

I Screen Calls 130

VIII Parables and Other Things

And Many Others 133

The Power of Parable 135

Of Seeds and Soil 136

Mysteries 137

My Light 138

Family 140

The Raging Sea 141

Legion 142

Testify 143

Talitha 144

Never Make Yourself Small 145

To Be A Realist 147

In the Room 148

Eat Your Fill 149