From Darkness to Light
Translated by Roger W. T. Wilkinson
Foreword by Bob Ekblad
Imprint: Cascade Books
In these meditations Daniel Bourguet enables us to draw alongside the thief on the cross and enter his dialogue with Christ; he guides us downward into the darkness of hell through a reading of Psalm 88; and finally we discover on Easter morning both the confusion and then faith of Mary Magdalene as she meets the Risen Lord (John 20). Bourguet's confidence in the biblical text means that he engages with it and follows wherever it leads, however risky . . . and he emerges--with us--miraculously enriched.
Daniel Bourguet has been a pastor in the French Reformed Church. He has exercised a range of ministries in the local church and in theological institutions. He currently leads a contemplative life that involves prayer and writing; he also conducts retreats and receives visitors.
"Bourguet's three meditations arrested me with worship and wonder as he walked me through Paschal weekend! Good Friday: the author unveils Christ's interaction with the thief on the cross with meticulous care. Holy Saturday: simply the best commentary available on Christ's descent into hades in Psalm 88. And Resurrection Sunday: Mary Magdalene, the new Eve perhaps, meets her Gardener, risen from the dead. Profoundly intimate. I'm so grateful!"
--Brad Jersak, Westminster Theological Centre (UK); author of Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks
"From Darkness to Light is a masterpiece of contemplative exegesis of the Bible. Daniel Bourguet takes the reader on a challenging, three-chapter pilgrimage exploring the mystery of three conversions: in the darkness at Jesus's death, in the cries of descent into the grave, and in the light at his garden resurrection. Bourguet interprets with precision and passion the story of the one thief's conversion on the cross as he witnesses Jesus's suffering love. His treatment of Heman's cry from the depths in Psalm 88 plumbs the depths of a biblical theology of the cross. His final chapter on Mary Magdalene's transformative encounter with Jesus in the garden is brilliant, inspiring more careful study, contemplative prayer, and adoration."
--Bob Ekblad, Tierra Nueva and The People's Seminary; author of Reading the Bible with the Damned and A New Christian Manifesto