A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter

I have always loved Peter so much for his impetuousness, imperfections, and deep love for Christ. In this book, Michael Card has presented a much more real Peter than I have ever seen. I can see him so clearly now as he grew in his faith, love, obedience, and strength in Christ. I see him with his personal struggles as he comes to the realization that the Messiah must die and that following Jesus may very well lead to his own death. In the chapter describing the changes around Jesus during the last week of his life, Michael Card focuses on the fact that people began leaving Jesus because He made them realize that following Him would be hard, challenging, dangerous, and yet more fulfilling than any other experience of life. When the people say that what Jesus is describing is hard and who could bear that life, they begin leaving. Jesus turns to the twelve and asks if they are going to leave as well. Only Peter answers telling Jesus that He is Lord, Savior - where else would they go? In the past, when I have read or studied this part of Scripture, I just assumed that Peter was giving a strong affirmation of their faith and faithfulness. Michael Card gives another and much more realistic portrayal - Peter is tired, sad, disappointed and he agrees with the people who said that following Christ is hard and difficult to bear. His answer is more one of resignation - You are the Lord, Jesus. You are the Savior, you are the way to salvation - Where else are we going to go?? I have read these pages to almost everyone I know because Card continues on with these thoughts and states that at some point in our lives, we will also be disappointed with Christ. Things will go in a way we never wanted or imagined - he gave the examples of losing a child or getting cancer. At these points in our lives, we have the same decision as Peter - are we going to stay or will we decide that being a Christian is too hard and we cannot bear it. But we will be forced to choose faith or no faith at what may be the most painful point in our lives. Peter made his choice, yet he then followed by denying Christ three times. Watching Peter become "the rock" from being a "fragile stone" has brought me to an even stronger place in my faith. Peter is shown to be like us - with all the struggles, mistakes,joys and sorrows and he was able to choose Christ above all. Michael Card takes the reader on Peter's journey and the reader is strengthened and enriched. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would - just as I would have done for his book, A Sacred Sorrow - Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament.

I love learning and this was a helpful tool. Brought about insight and perspectives and truth about the life of Peter that I had not seen before. If you want a little more info than what you can read from scripture – get this book!

Presents an emotional analysis of Peter's life. Card addresses common misconceptions with Peter. He states: "The Catholics have made him an office and no longer a person. The Protestants have simply denied his authority as the foundational disciple for fear of agreeing with the Catholics!" (Card 22). Card is in-between these two positions. He expressed this in the following statement: "In our own time Peter is caught between two other factions: the Catholics, who claim him as their first pope, and the Protestants, who do their best to relegate him to the Twelve with the other disciples and no more. The truth, it seems to me, is (as it usually is) somewhere in between" (Card 15). Card exegetes the Scriptures accurately, and his interpretation is sound. He uses historical studies to support his argument as well. We see Peter begin as a faltering disciple and end as a dynamic leader of the church. The final chapter invites Christians to read Peter's epistles to reinvigorate their churches: "In these days, when the church is seeking so desperately for an understanding of what it is, the letters of Peter must become a central focus for us" (Card 178). Card paints an exhilarating portrait of an extraordinary individual!

This account of Peter is so interesting. First the search by the author to find information on Peter as there seems to be a boycott against it. Then the telling of the life of Peter. Michael Card puts Peter in very human terms and really brings him to life. We are studying 1 Peter right now which is why I purchased this book. I wanted background on Peter to better understand the times and circumstances that prompted his letter. I couldn't have made a better choice. It has armed with with insight into Peter's life and I have been able to lead the group from a much deeper, soulful place. My husband was teaching Acts in his Sunday School class and this book was great for me in picturing Peter as he was portrayed in Acts. We tend to study Paul and talk about Paul because he was so prolific and instrumental in advancing the gospel with his letters and journeys. Peter is little mentioned so, I recommend it for anyone who studies the bible. It will expand your knowledge of New Testament times.

I imagine Peter as this tough rock of a man, which he really is, but Michael Card brings out the complete man that Peter really is. Peter is an interesting person, not unlike many males in modern society. He is tough on the outside and not comfortable with his emotions and conflicts within. He has trouble expressing himself and his tender emotions are bulldozed over by his need to be "tough". However, this book reveals the authentic, genuine Peter; a man with many facets that is learning how to use all,of the tools in his emotional toolbox and his sojourns with the most significant man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. Peter is revealed as simple but complex, tough but tender, honest with a corrupt side, and a brilliant but reluctant leader. Peter is also the man who we all want to be; impetuous at times, willing to try new things, full of adventure, and leading an interesting life. The Bible story comes alive in this book; it is very true to Biblical prose, but in a much more chronological story fashion. There are some great lessons to be exhumed from Peter's life and this book can be a catalyst to help learn these lessons.

This is fantastic from Michael Card. It's not at all longwinded; the chapters are short, and you can really tell his heart is in it. I expect Peter's the person he's most looking forward to meeting in heaven!

Thank you for writing this book on Peter. It touched my heart and moved me the see the relationship between Jesus and him! I want just that!

This is a thoroughly researched and well written look at the life of Peter. Be you Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protestant, it is the same Peter. The same Peter who manages by his brash individuality to expose to all who will seekpeter, not Paul, the living Jesus, who loves us for who we are, and sees what we will be, if we will embrace Him. It is not your usual dry, scholarly narrative. It is lively, full of personality and hard won insights.