The God Who Plays

“In The God Who Plays, Brian Edgar presents a wonderful gift to God’s overly serious people . . . The chapter headings are inviting, the writing clear and even playful. Brian clearly had fun writing this book. And the imaginative invitations to play with God, concluding each chapter, are irresistible. Enjoy.” 


—Gordon Preece, Director, Ethos: EA Centre for Christianity and Society








“Who would expect a theologically robust and illuminating argument for play as central to Christian life and theology? Brian Edgar provides this and more—an original, nuanced, and engaging book that challenges our assumptions and invites us to delight in, and to take seriously, the playful dimensions of spirituality, discipleship, relationships, and God’s kingdom.” 


—Christine D. Pohl, Professor, Asbury Theological Seminary





“Play, it has been said, is the serious business of childhood and of heaven. What’s more, as Brian Edgar convincingly shows, all things, such as work, spirituality, theology, worship, are meant to be infused with play. Indeed, play is rooted in the nature of God, in the perichoresis and playfulness of the Trinity. But not only is his book a profound theological reflection about play; above all, it is a joyful invitation to play and to join with The God who Plays.”


—Stephen Seamands, Professor, Asbury Theological Seminary





“In this compelling book, Brian Edgar manages to lighten the spirit and lift the heart while offering profound stimulation for the Christian mind. All such ends, he argues, are proper to authentic theology, and are well summed up in the concept of ‘play’. While hardly the most common focus of theological scholarship, Edgar expertly mines Scripture, ecclesial tradition, and saintly experience to demonstrate that play is, in fact, essential rather than peripheral to discipleship, worship, mission, and redemption.”


—David Hilborn, Principal, St John’s College, Bramcote, Nottingham