The Scandal of Holiness

Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints

By: Jessica Hooten Wilson, Lauren Winner - foreword

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

How do we become better people? Initiatives such as New Year's resolutions, vision boards, thirty-day plans, and self-help books often fail to compel us to live differently. We settle for small goals-frugal spending, less yelling at the kids, more time at the gym-but we are called to something far greater. We are created to be holy.

Award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson explains that learning to hear the call of holiness requires cultivating a new imagination-one rooted in the act of reading. Learning to read with eyes attuned to the saints who populate great works of literature moves us toward holiness, where God opens up a way of living that extends far beyond what we can conjure for ourselves. Literature has the power to show us what a holy life looks like, and these depictions often scandalize even as they shape our imagination. As such, careful reading becomes a sort of countercultural spiritual discipline.

The book includes devotionals, prayers, wisdom from the saints, and more to help individuals and groups cultivate a saintly imagination.

©2022 Jessica Hooten Wilson (P)2022 eChristian

Changed through listening

Something happed to me while listening to this that made me want to become holy. No other book has made me want to have my imagination inspired and transformed. I’m grateful to have stumbled upon this work.

Highly Recommend

This book was such a blessing from start to finish on multiple levels. I listened and was encouraged and challenged to continue my pursuit of holiness and bring others along on the pilgrimage. I bought the book and plan to form a book club of devotees of Jesus to work our way through the books and chapters, little by little, encouraging and challenging each other to higher knowledge of Him and a life of holiness and virtue.

A Good read worth investing the time

“The Scandal of Holiness” finally was released after waiting for a year and initially I was disappointed. The first 4 chapters appear to be the usual “Social Justice” and “Climate Justice” babble. Then Chapter 5 and Kristin Lavransdatter; “WOW” what a reading experience and made up for the first four chapters of dribble. Chapter 6 about prayer was also very good. Chapters 5 thru the end were very insightful and worth reading and digesting. The book has an undertone of “Feminism”. Also, (as parishioner in the pew) I am not sure some of the “Christian Theology” presented is sound or just opinion, but defiantly not for the poorly catechized. The author has provided many follow-on reading suggestions that are worth investigating. The author was upfront in the introduction that this was an exploration in literary fiction and how it can assist us in our walk with the Lord and the book did that. The writing and research are of the highest caliber and quality and the narrator was excellent. Overall, a good read worth investing the time. Experienced as an Audio book.

looking for good stories that inspire. read this.

I have been searching avidly for good 20th century fiction story tellers that inspire me.
This book turned me on to several fictional works, many of which I had not heard of. There are other fictional titles which I had read but Jessica Hooten Wilson helped me to understand and appreciate those books at a deeper level.
I almost never finish non fiction books, but not this one. This book kept me turning the pages, but also insured me to actually read two fictional works at the same time. Accompanying pdf of titles discussed in the audible book would be a big plus. thanks again.

Intuitive Author

I found in Jessica Hooten-Wilson the gift to bring out the beautiful in books she reviewed; she wakes you up to consider the deep issues of the Christian faith.

A very special read

This was a riveting literature class, an illuminating theology class and a gripping memoir. This author is so smart and insightful. I feel like I learned so much about books, faith and living well. Plus there’s additional resources - talk about providing more value than one can reasonably expect. This book bursts with value.

Worth its weigh in gold

Everyone should read and ponder the offerings of this wise guide. A great companion for the journey.