There are people out there with an amazing talent for crafting words together in the most beautiful way. With a pen (or keyboard as the case may be) as their paintbrush, they have the ability to create the most vibrant pictures in a way that causes the reader to comprehend a particular concept in a most beautiful manner. I am not one of those people, but I did recently finish reading a book by an author who does have that ability. Theology from the Spring: Reflections of the Creator Cast in Nature, by Jacob A. Taggart, is a book that I have had the pleasure of reviewing over the past couple of months, and the first thing that I would share about it is, “Prepare to be amazed.”

The title, Theology from the Spring, is referring to water, rather than the season. More specifically, the author uses the subject of fly fishing to weave complex spiritual truths together. Upon realizing this theme, I was skeptical that such a book would be able to capture and hold my attention. Happily, I found the opposite to be the case. 

With a mere ten chapters, you might think that this is a short book, but oh no, it is not. The book is divided into three parts, the chapters are rather long, and there is a considerable number of notes, along with the bibliography at the end. The author introduces each chapter with a passage from Scripture, and then a colorful anecdote from his life. He then moves into the main idea for that chapter. Each chapter concludes with a summary of the topic covered, as well as a series of reflection questions. It really is organized wonderfully in this way, and I appreciate that throughout the book, he also takes time here and there to review material previously presented, and then offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. 

Part one focuses on the idea that “Something is out there”, to borrow a phrase from the book. Using many examples from various rivers, and a seemingly endless variety of trout (yes, I’m speaking about the fish), theology is the theme. Accompanying that is the suggestion that there is indeed a Master Designer behind the intricate details living within the spring. I was fascinated with the amount of detail, and even the bonus science lessons that are included in this section. He makes a compelling case for a Creator, and I found my own faith being strengthened through his examples.

Part two introduces the Trinity, and the author uses different features of the springs as analogies for the three in one personality. Again, I was impressed with the examples, and the thought processes that went into this section. 

Moving into part three, the last section of this book, is where the reader is admonished to go out and be fishers of men. What I loved about this part, is how author Taggart not only advises us to complete this task, but he offers ways to do this in a way that will draw people to Christ, and not repel them, again, using examples that pardon the phrase, blew me away, in their amazing insight. He makes the point that God does not coerce us into a relationship with Himself, rather, he patiently draws us to Himself. 

I love the rich vocabulary that the author uses throughout this book. It is a read to be carefully considered and savored, so as not to miss the point. The theme of fly fishing would be appealing to a male audience, and I think that it would be a fantastic study for a men’s Bible group to use. This is not to say that a woman could not enjoy it, as I certainly did. But the perspective of the author makes it seem to be crafted for men. Ultimately, that really doesn’t matter. It is a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone.

-Product review by Laurie Gauger, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October, 2018