A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of the Message
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- Create Date：2021-04-19 11:51:14
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Winn Collier
- ISBN：0735291624
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Summary
This essential authorized biography of Eugene Peterson offers unique insights into the experiences and spiritual convictions of the iconic American pastor and beloved translator of The Message。
"In the time of a generation-wide breakdown in trust with leaders in every sphere of society， Eugene's quiet life of deep integrity and gospel purpose is a bright light against a dark backdrop。"--John Mark Comer， author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
"This hunger for something radical--something so true that it burned in his bones--was a constant in Eugene's life。 His longing for God ignited a ferocity in his soul。"
Encounter the multifaceted life of one of the most influential and creative pastors of the past half century with unforgettable stories of Eugene's lifelong devotion to his craft and love of language， the influences and experiences that shaped his unquenchable faith， the inspiration for his decision to translate The Message， and his success and struggles as a pastor， husband， and father。
Author Winn Collier was given exclusive access to Eugene and his materials for the production of this landmark work。 Drawing from his friendship and expansive view of Peterson's life， Collier offers an intimate， beautiful， and earthy look into a remarkable life。
For Eugene， the gifts of life were inexhaustible: the glint of fading light over the lake， a kiss from Jan， a good joke， a bowl of butter pecan ice cream。 As you enter into his story， you'll find yourself doing the same--noticing how the most ordinary things shimmer with a new and unexpected beauty。
"In the time of a generation-wide breakdown in trust with leaders in every sphere of society， Eugene's quiet life of deep integrity and gospel purpose is a bright light against a dark backdrop。"--John Mark Comer， author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
"This hunger for something radical--something so true that it burned in his bones--was a constant in Eugene's life。 His longing for God ignited a ferocity in his soul。"
Encounter the multifaceted life of one of the most influential and creative pastors of the past half century with unforgettable stories of Eugene's lifelong devotion to his craft and love of language， the influences and experiences that shaped his unquenchable faith， the inspiration for his decision to translate The Message， and his success and struggles as a pastor， husband， and father。
Author Winn Collier was given exclusive access to Eugene and his materials for the production of this landmark work。 Drawing from his friendship and expansive view of Peterson's life， Collier offers an intimate， beautiful， and earthy look into a remarkable life。
For Eugene， the gifts of life were inexhaustible: the glint of fading light over the lake， a kiss from Jan， a good joke， a bowl of butter pecan ice cream。 As you enter into his story， you'll find yourself doing the same--noticing how the most ordinary things shimmer with a new and unexpected beauty。
Reviews
Kelsey Loring
，
Eugene Peterson is one of my heroes so I was anticipating the release of this book。 Winn Collier was the perfect choice for this work。 I laughed， cried， and this book stirred my heart to love Jesus more。 So much of what was said will be contemplated and applied: the desire to sit， listen， and be with others。 Praying for eyes to see the God in others。 Praying for wisdom and humility to do quiet， honest， faithful work。 I am thankful for Eugene's life and legacy and this book is a beautiful reflect Eugene Peterson is one of my heroes so I was anticipating the release of this book。 Winn Collier was the perfect choice for this work。 I laughed， cried， and this book stirred my heart to love Jesus more。 So much of what was said will be contemplated and applied: the desire to sit， listen， and be with others。 Praying for eyes to see the God in others。 Praying for wisdom and humility to do quiet， honest， faithful work。 I am thankful for Eugene's life and legacy and this book is a beautiful reflection of both。 。。。more
Lynne
，
I have long been familiar with Eugene Peterson as the translator of The Message version of the Bible。 In the last year I discovered some videos on YouTube where Bono and Peterson met and sat down as one Christian to another。 Peterson was so interesting and compelling that I wanted more。 That’s when I discovered other books he wrote。 And now through an online review from one of my favorite booksellers （Byron Borger at Hearts and Minds Bookstore） and a webcast launch of this book that Byron public I have long been familiar with Eugene Peterson as the translator of The Message version of the Bible。 In the last year I discovered some videos on YouTube where Bono and Peterson met and sat down as one Christian to another。 Peterson was so interesting and compelling that I wanted more。 That’s when I discovered other books he wrote。 And now through an online review from one of my favorite booksellers （Byron Borger at Hearts and Minds Bookstore） and a webcast launch of this book that Byron publicized， I’ve found this wonderful biography。 The style that Winn Collier brings to this biography is very much that of the storyteller making it extremely readable。 The fact that this is an authorized biography written in cooperation with Peterson’s family gave him access to resources that have worked to make this an intimate biography of a man I now wish I had known。 。。。more
Traci Rhoades
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Shortest review ever。 Read this book。
Jeff Bjorgan
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A Burning in My Bones is a gracious and gentle telling of the life of well known pastor Eugene Peterson and his journey towards becoming a saint。 His life story is in excellent hands， as Collier balances both the public stories that Peterson has personally shared of his life with his more personal and private experiences。 The chiastic structure of his life--from Montana， to academia， to the pastorate， to academia， and back to Montana--is so appropriate for a man who poured his life into living t A Burning in My Bones is a gracious and gentle telling of the life of well known pastor Eugene Peterson and his journey towards becoming a saint。 His life story is in excellent hands， as Collier balances both the public stories that Peterson has personally shared of his life with his more personal and private experiences。 The chiastic structure of his life--from Montana， to academia， to the pastorate， to academia， and back to Montana--is so appropriate for a man who poured his life into living the Scriptures。 And Through this storytelling， Collier paints a picture of a man who， though imperfect （wrestling with ambition， relationships， misunderstandings and discouragements） lived sacramentally， showing that， in a world that consistently reveals its shallow and dehumanizing patterns， one can indeed attain an "earthiness" or rootedness in and through the Christian life。 。。。more
Stephen Bedard
，
This is an amazing biography of an amazing follower of Jesus。 Collier shares the highs and lows of Eugene Peterson's life and ministry。 This is the book that I needed to read in this time。 Every pastor should read this book。 This is an amazing biography of an amazing follower of Jesus。 Collier shares the highs and lows of Eugene Peterson's life and ministry。 This is the book that I needed to read in this time。 Every pastor should read this book。 。。。more
Dustin Turner
，
I honestly couldn't put this book down。 I've always enjoyed Eugene Peterson's books and this biography really gets to the heart of who he was。 It's also more than just a mere biography。 At times it bridges into a devotional read。 Well worth the time！ I honestly couldn't put this book down。 I've always enjoyed Eugene Peterson's books and this biography really gets to the heart of who he was。 It's also more than just a mere biography。 At times it bridges into a devotional read。 Well worth the time！ 。。。more
Daniel Cash
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Well written and comprehensive。 A fitting honest tribute to a man who has influenced many， and consistently provided this pastor with a view of the holy call of God。
Owen Cottom
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Hero。 What a life。 And what a book。
Benjamin Shurance
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Wonderful！ I listened to the whole 10 hour audiobook without speeding it up。
Jonathan
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Exceptionally engaging writing。 And what a life to tell the story about。
Dayna
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If， at the end of this unthinkable year， you find yourself needing help to believe in the good news of the gospel again， Winn Collier gives you a deep look into the real life of a real man， flaws and all， and rekindles the belief that the long hard work of faithfulness to God and to one another is worth it。
Patrick Ryan
，
An easy 5 stars。 I love everything Eugene Peterson wrote， and Winn Collier， a great writer himself， offers an homage to his mentor， fellows pastor， and friend。 Winn’s close relationship with Eugene is felt on every page。 Although the arch of A Burning in My Bones is that of a biography， the language throughout reads like a love letter from mentee to mentor。
Elliot
，
This account of the life of Eugene Peterson is a beautiful ode to the complexity of the deeply vocational life。 I cannot recommend it highly enough。 It’s prose is reminiscent of sitting and speaking with its author。 It is the story of dear friends told by dear friends as they live wholly in a world of hardship and ministering to the beauty of Christ in 10000 places。
Tracy Balzer
，
I recently had the pleasure of a conversation with author Winn Collier， congratulating him on the release of his book， A Burning in My Bones。 WIth a bit of a wink， I commented that his achievement comes with a blessing and a burden: everyone he meets， now， will want to tell them their “Eugene story。” Because this pastor， who never wanted the limelight， found himself connecting with thousands of individuals， both casually and more intimately in unforgettable ways。 As a writer and a minister， I fo I recently had the pleasure of a conversation with author Winn Collier， congratulating him on the release of his book， A Burning in My Bones。 WIth a bit of a wink， I commented that his achievement comes with a blessing and a burden: everyone he meets， now， will want to tell them their “Eugene story。” Because this pastor， who never wanted the limelight， found himself connecting with thousands of individuals， both casually and more intimately in unforgettable ways。 As a writer and a minister， I found a couple of my own “Eugene stories” in Winn’s rich account of this fascinating man’s life。 But there was so much more to discover， and Winn filled in the gaps with exquisite grace and truth。 I’m so grateful that Winn committed to the monumental work of telling the full Eugene story。 I come away with newly a newly minted vision for life: to be a substantive writer， and to be a saint。 If you are in ministry and/or a writer， you owe it to yourself to read this book to catch the vision of one who has paved the way for this holy work。 Winn uttered the words “thank you，” to Eugene at a sacred moment， and I say the same thing to Winn for the gift of this book。 。。。more
Dave Pettengill
，
Winn Collier has written a masterpiece biography on a man whom I have admired from afar。 While I never spent time physically in the presence of Eugene （Other than a year I saw him do an interview at Catalyst West Conference）， but reading E。P。's books always spoke deeply to my pastoral heart and cleared away the fog of the busyness of pastoral ministry to show me what was truly important。 Reading this biography from Collier about Eugene's life was a joy that will stay with me。 Winn Collier has written a masterpiece biography on a man whom I have admired from afar。 While I never spent time physically in the presence of Eugene （Other than a year I saw him do an interview at Catalyst West Conference）， but reading E。P。's books always spoke deeply to my pastoral heart and cleared away the fog of the busyness of pastoral ministry to show me what was truly important。 Reading this biography from Collier about Eugene's life was a joy that will stay with me。 。。。more
Jason Kanz
，
Several years ago， I read my first Eugene Peterson book， Christ Plays in 10，000 Places， which is a part of his five-volume spiritual theology collection。 I was hooked from the start。 Peterson was obviously a man who cared for words， cherished beauty， guarded truth， and delighted in the Trinitarian God。 I soon took it upon myself to read everything from him that I could find and I have rarely been disappointed。 Because I have read nearly all of his books， and some of them several times， I expecte Several years ago， I read my first Eugene Peterson book， Christ Plays in 10，000 Places， which is a part of his five-volume spiritual theology collection。 I was hooked from the start。 Peterson was obviously a man who cared for words， cherished beauty， guarded truth， and delighted in the Trinitarian God。 I soon took it upon myself to read everything from him that I could find and I have rarely been disappointed。 Because I have read nearly all of his books， and some of them several times， I expected to enjoy this biography by Winn Collier （who incidentally wrote another favorite book of mine， Love Big， Be Well）; however， I did not expect to be surprised with any new information。 Collier proved me wrong。 Repeatedly， Collier lovingly shared information I never knew。 Every page was a delight。 Perhaps what I appreciated the most was that Collier did not present Peterson as an unblemished saint。 Far too often， Christian biographies are inane and shadowless。 Not so with A Burning in my Bones。 Rather than presenting Peterson as a caricature of holiness， Collier managed to capture Peterson's true sainthood， an earthy， beautiful spirituality。 In my opinion， this is simply the finest biography I have ever read。 Winn is an exceptional communicator and wordsmith writing about an exceptional communicator and wordsmith。 Highly recommended。 。。。more
Scott Kohler
，
Fantastic biography。 For those of us who found Peterson's 2011 memoir The Pastor to be insightful but not quite as revealing of his emotional responses to being a pastor as we would have liked， Collier's book really opens up Peterson the man， struggling to understand his vocation while continually working it out in his writing， desiring to be a holy person but with his own flaws。 Despite his well-known aversion to giving advice and his welcoming of mystery in other people， I guess I still had th Fantastic biography。 For those of us who found Peterson's 2011 memoir The Pastor to be insightful but not quite as revealing of his emotional responses to being a pastor as we would have liked， Collier's book really opens up Peterson the man， struggling to understand his vocation while continually working it out in his writing， desiring to be a holy person but with his own flaws。 Despite his well-known aversion to giving advice and his welcoming of mystery in other people， I guess I still had the impression that he had a fairly clear and immovable idea of who he was and what he was called to do。 Turns out that he was as self-doubting and -questioning as the rest of us， as the many passages from his journals that Collier includes here make clear。 To me， this humanity only strengthens the value of Peterson and his work for all of us， especially those of us who are pastors。 。。。more
Brandon Woodard
，
There have been very very few books that have moved me to tears after reading; this book is one of them。 I cannot recommend this book enough。 If you have been blessed by his literary works I highly encourage you to read his story。 It is an absolute page Turner。 As a pastor， I found myself pausing multiple times to reread sections。 I was encouraged， convicted and grateful for this man’s life。 Well done brother， well done。
Kara Griffith
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Collier’s biography allowed me to peer into what drove Peterson’s passion to see and know that this world is alive with God’s presence。 The biography brought a comfort in that Peterson lived a normal life like all of us。 He had seasons of famine and seasons of feast， and in it all， God was with him。 I have been chewing on this work and am thankful to Winn Collier for giving us a window into Peterson’s life， mind， and passion！
Lee Heddlesten
，
It was an honor to read Eugene Peterson's story。 His presence is something I've admired for a long time。 He was marked by authenticity， calm， kindness， gentleness， humility。 It was lovely to learn about his journey and how he followed "the scent of the Spirit" to find his way。 I love that he was honest about the role alcohol played in his day-to-day and his struggle to find a healthy relationship with it。The sadness of the stinging criticism he received for his work left me feeling down and frus It was an honor to read Eugene Peterson's story。 His presence is something I've admired for a long time。 He was marked by authenticity， calm， kindness， gentleness， humility。 It was lovely to learn about his journey and how he followed "the scent of the Spirit" to find his way。 I love that he was honest about the role alcohol played in his day-to-day and his struggle to find a healthy relationship with it。The sadness of the stinging criticism he received for his work left me feeling down and frustrated with those who are quick to judge and slow to show grace。 I felt similar to how I did after reading Team of Rivals about Abraham Lincoln。 Both described a sadness you could feel。He was a man I admired， learned from， and loved from a distance。 I'm glad to know him more after reading this book 。。。more
Seth
，
A hearty biography of a man I’ve admired for a while。 I don’t know of any other author/pastor who has influenced my life more than Eugene Peterson （Dallas Willard might be a close second）。 Though there’s a good portion of this found in his memoir， “The Pastor”， there were pieces that I had not known about him - pieces that made him more human than maybe the spiritual giant I made him to be。 The book is full of quotes from his personal journal entries and even has some colorful pictures in it。 If A hearty biography of a man I’ve admired for a while。 I don’t know of any other author/pastor who has influenced my life more than Eugene Peterson （Dallas Willard might be a close second）。 Though there’s a good portion of this found in his memoir， “The Pastor”， there were pieces that I had not known about him - pieces that made him more human than maybe the spiritual giant I made him to be。 The book is full of quotes from his personal journal entries and even has some colorful pictures in it。 If you enjoy Eugene’s work， check this out。 。。。more
Kenny
，
I already knew much of this already because I've read everything he has written。 But ch。 17， A Weathered but Holy Shape， was amazing。 I discovered The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction in my first year of seminary and it was a major vocational inflection point。 He introduced me to Wendell Berry， Wallace Stegner， Karl Barth， and Albert Borgmann。 Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology is among my top five theology books in terms of I already knew much of this already because I've read everything he has written。 But ch。 17， A Weathered but Holy Shape， was amazing。 I discovered The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction in my first year of seminary and it was a major vocational inflection point。 He introduced me to Wendell Berry， Wallace Stegner， Karl Barth， and Albert Borgmann。 Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology is among my top five theology books in terms of its influence on me。 Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity and Under the Unpredictable Plant an Exploration in Vocational Holiness are books I continue to return to after 4o years of vocational ministry。 It's safe to say I would never become a pastor without his writing and vision of what a pastor should be。 Thanks to Winn Collier for documenting Eugene and Jan Peterson's life and work。 。。。more
Adam
，
Although I have read and appreciated many of Eugene Peterson’s books， I was much less familiar with his life。 Winn Collier’s book remedied this for me。 I feel like I know something of Eugene Peterson as a man， not just as a writer。 This biography was particularly valuable because it shows how Peterson’s theology grew out of his life。 It was encouraging to witness his lifelong search for belonging and “congruence。” Highly recommended for anyone in ministry， or just trying to live a meaningful Chr Although I have read and appreciated many of Eugene Peterson’s books， I was much less familiar with his life。 Winn Collier’s book remedied this for me。 I feel like I know something of Eugene Peterson as a man， not just as a writer。 This biography was particularly valuable because it shows how Peterson’s theology grew out of his life。 It was encouraging to witness his lifelong search for belonging and “congruence。” Highly recommended for anyone in ministry， or just trying to live a meaningful Christian life in the face of so many distractions。 。。。more
Ken Pierpont
，
Well-written。 Well-researched。 Avoided hagiography。 I would rate this high not because of full agreement with the subject of the book in all things but because is the honesty and quality of the book。 This is very worthwhile。 It will make you think and move your soul。
J。 Bill
，
My bookshelves hold numerous Eugene Peterson books -- and this biography by Winn Collier is a truly welcome addition。 "A Burning in My Bones" is an informative， entertaining， engrossing， and engaging biography of an important figure in American， and， indeed， world culture。 Collier has done a masterful job of plumbing the depths of Peterson while keeping him human and accessible to us。 A delightful read -- I highly commend it to you。 My bookshelves hold numerous Eugene Peterson books -- and this biography by Winn Collier is a truly welcome addition。 "A Burning in My Bones" is an informative， entertaining， engrossing， and engaging biography of an important figure in American， and， indeed， world culture。 Collier has done a masterful job of plumbing the depths of Peterson while keeping him human and accessible to us。 A delightful read -- I highly commend it to you。 。。。more
Jason Hague
，
In the age of religious platforms and self-styled celebrities， Eugene Peterson's humble life provides us with a different picture for how to follow Christ and serve our fellow man。 Collier's detailed portrait of Peterson is readable， deep， and poetic， like "The Pastor" himself。 In the age of religious platforms and self-styled celebrities， Eugene Peterson's humble life provides us with a different picture for how to follow Christ and serve our fellow man。 Collier's detailed portrait of Peterson is readable， deep， and poetic， like "The Pastor" himself。 。。。more
Michele Morin
，
Eugene Peterson was formed by the Montana landscape， by a boyhood spent exploring the mountains around his home。 He was no less formed by scripture， investing his career drinking deeply from its truth and then sharing its nourishment with his congregation and his readers。 In his authorized biography， A Burning in My Bones， Winn Collier has traced the backstory that introduced Peterson to a way of seeing and a “magnetic pull toward truth and beauty” that burned in his bones。Over the years， Peters Eugene Peterson was formed by the Montana landscape， by a boyhood spent exploring the mountains around his home。 He was no less formed by scripture， investing his career drinking deeply from its truth and then sharing its nourishment with his congregation and his readers。 In his authorized biography， A Burning in My Bones， Winn Collier has traced the backstory that introduced Peterson to a way of seeing and a “magnetic pull toward truth and beauty” that burned in his bones。Over the years， Peterson has become one of my favorite communicators， mainly because of his belief that “everything， absolutely everything in the scriptures is liveable。” Annotated with scrawled quotes marked “EP，” my Bible bears witness to his influence on my thinking about the sacred text。While he was best known for his translation of The Message Bible， his work was anchored in his years of pastoral ministry。 Collier masterfully portrayed Peterson’s struggle to live as a “saint”–not so that he could be separate from the world， but so that he could be immersed in it as a committed follower of an incarnate God。 With insights into his long marriage to and ministry partnership with Jan （“Eugene was the force， but Jan was the glue。”）， their parenting journey， and the challenges of life in the parsonage， I highly recommend the book for ministry families。I dreaded the ending of the book， because I knew it would sadden me to read about Peterson’s decline and death。 While grateful for his ongoing legacy， I mourn the loss of his voice in the world。Many thanks to Waterbrook-Multnomah and Net Galley for providing access to this book to facilitate my review which is， of course， offered freely and with honesty。 。。。more
David Parrish
，
A Burning in My Bones is a captivating biography about the skillful pastor and theologian Eugene Peterson。 Winn Collier's telling of Peterson's story explores in vivid detail the people， places， and events that guided and molded his incredible life。 There were several times when I felt like I was there as a participant in the story。 I was particularly drawn to the way Peterson's pastoral ministry joined together his brilliant mind and sensitive heart。 He found joy and meaning in living a life of A Burning in My Bones is a captivating biography about the skillful pastor and theologian Eugene Peterson。 Winn Collier's telling of Peterson's story explores in vivid detail the people， places， and events that guided and molded his incredible life。 There were several times when I felt like I was there as a participant in the story。 I was particularly drawn to the way Peterson's pastoral ministry joined together his brilliant mind and sensitive heart。 He found joy and meaning in living a life of obedience to God， which often meant challenging convention and accepted wisdom。 With this incredible background to Peterson's life， I want to go back and （re）read many of Peterson's works。 More importantly， as I saw how Peterson navigated the often calm but sometimes choppy and murky waters of life and ministry， I found myself reflecting on how I will carry out my roles as a husband， dad， and pastor with greater intentionality。 。。。more
Jason
，
Beautiful biography that unlocks what made Eugene Peterson so attractive to followers of Christ。 You will want to read this！
Melanie McGehee
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