What an extraordinary book!  First, start out reading a rib-tickling introduction by Garrison Keillor.  Keillor grew up in the same church with the author and that’s an interesting story,  Even more entertaining is Keillor’s effort to describe myrrh, his reflections on the Song of Solomon(!), and his thoughts on rue!  If that doesn’t leave you smiling your face is broken! 

            Second, if you have any interest in plants or gardens and the Bible (or the Quran) you will be thrilled with the photos of biblical plants as they are grown, prepared and enjoyed today in the lands of the Bible.  Musselman has spent good stretches of time in several areas of the Middle East, and local folks have joyfully shared their ongoing practices with him.  His photos are extremely valuable in their beauty, their ability to set plants of the Bible and Quran in their contemporary setting, and to show us their blossoms, fruit, and leaves in case you decide to create a faith garden and hope to choose other similar plants.  Even if you don’t have a big interest in Bible plants (as I do) you will enjoy the many, many beautiful full-color photos!

            Third, if you ever thought about growing plants from the Bible or the Quran, Dr. Musselman gives you a wonderful guide for selecting the plants.  Not only does he present an interesting and extremely thorough study of which plants are in these sacred books (Musselman teaches Biblical Botany at Old Dominion College).  He shares the process by which he made his choices.  Some are identical to the best of his predecessors in identifying plants in the Bible, and some well-argued that differ.  Keep us thinking!

            Finally, if you teach faith to children at home or at your place of worship, the photos and stories about plants in the Bible will be a wonderful way to help your students start a hands-on experience of faith.  Children in churches, synagogues and mosques around the world are growing faith gardens – raising their own watermelons, lilies, grapes, wheat, figs, and up to 100 other plants that bring faith to life.  Classes and families are learning and growing, feasting and drawing, worshipping and playing in faith-nurturing gardens – while learning to care for creation!  Google “Biblical Gardens” and discover some of the many ways people are teaching faith to their children.  Then get a copy of Figs, Dates, Laurels and Myrrh right away and start your own faith garden!

            I feel a special gratitude to Dr. Musselman.  Our church and others have been growing and promoting faith gardens for 25 years.  He has encouraged us along the way and his work gives us all a beautiful, well-studied resource to take us to real people today who, like people in Bible times, are growing gardens and growing faith!  May he be blessed, as you will be, through his lovely book!

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