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ⓘ About Eugene H. Peterson
Eugene H. Peterson was an American religion and spirituality author with over 30 books under his name. He was born in Stanwood, Washington, and raised in Kalispell, Montana. He attended Seattle Pacific University, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, a degree in theology from New York Theological Seminary, and Semitic languages master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. Peterson is famously known for his book The Message, in which he claimed the initial goal was to make the story’s original meaning understandable and accessible to the 21st-century reader. He retired from public life in 2017, immediately after publishing his last book, As Kingfishers Catch Fire. It was the same time when the same-sex controversy about him was brought into the limelight.
All Book Series by Eugene H. Peterson
Praying with the Psalms: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of David
Series opener · book 1 of 5 · published 1993
Praying with Jesus: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words and Actions of Jesus
Book 2 of 5 · published 1993
Praying with the Early Christians: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of the Early Christians
Book 3 of 5 · published 1994
Praying with Paul: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words of Paul
Book 4 of 5 · published 1995
Praying with the Prophets: A Year of Daily Prayers and Reflections on the Words and Actions of the Prophets
Latest in the series · book 5 of 5 · published 1995
Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work
Series opener · book 1 of 4 · published 1980
Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity
Book 2 of 4 · published 1987
The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Book 3 of 4 · published 1989
Under the Unpredictable Plant an Exploration in Vocational Holiness
Latest in the series · book 4 of 4 · published 1992
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology
Series opener · book 1 of 5 · published 1999
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading
Book 2 of 5 · published 2006
The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way
Book 3 of 5 · published 2007
Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers
Book 4 of 5 · published 2008
Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ
Latest in the series · book 5 of 5 · published 2010
The Message//Remix: Pause: A Daily Reading Bible
Series opener · book 1 of 2 · published 1997
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year
Latest in the series · book 2 of 2 · published 2008
Growing Up In Christ: A Guide For Families With Adolescents
Series opener · book 1 of 67 · published 1976
A Year With The Psalms: 365 Meditations And Prayers
Book 2 of 67 · published 1979
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society
Book 3 of 67 · published 1980
Traveling Light: Modern Meditations on St. Paul's Letter of Freedom
Book 4 of 67 · published 1982
Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best
Book 5 of 67 · published 1983 Co-authored · Eric E. Peterson
Earth & Altar: The Community of Prayer in a Self-Bound Society
Book 7 of 67 · published 1985
Weddings, Funerals and Special Events: The Personal Ministry of Public Occasions
Book 8 of 67 · published 1987 Co-authored · Calvin Miller
Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination
Book 10 of 67 · published 1991
The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary Language / Message The New Testament Psalms and Proverbs
Book 11 of 67 · published 1993 Co-authored · Anonymous
Where Your Treasure Is: Psalms that Summon You from Self to Community
Book 12 of 67 · published 1993
Like Dew Your Youth: Growing Up with Your Teenager
Book 13 of 67 · published 1994
Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson
Book 18 of 67 · published 1996 Co-authored · Janice Stubbs Peterson
Leap Over a Wall: Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians
Book 19 of 67 · published 1997
Subversive Spirituality
Book 20 of 67 · published 1997 Co-authored · Peter Santucci
The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible
Book 23 of 67 · published 1999 Co-authored · Dallas Willard
The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call
Book 24 of 67 · published 1999 Co-authored · Marva J. Dawn
A Long Obedience Journal
Book 25 of 67 · published 2000 Co-authored · Ruth Goring
The Message: The Old Testament History Books In Contemporary Language
Book 26 of 67 · published 2002
Life at Its Best: A Guidebook for the Pilgrim Life
Book 27 of 67 · published 2002
The Christmas Troll: Sometimes God's Best Gifts Are the Most Unexpected
Book 29 of 67 · published 2003
God's Message for Each Day: Wisdom from the Word of God
Book 31 of 67 · published 2004
The Power of a Blessing: Words to Speak and Pray from the Message
Book 32 of 67 · published 2004
God Is with Us: The Christmas Story from the Message
Book 34 of 67 · published 2004
The Message Parallel Bible
Book 36 of 67 · published 2004 Co-authored · Anonymous
The Power of a Mother: Words to Speak and Pray From The Message
Book 37 of 67 · published 2005
The Power of a Prayer: Words to Speak and Pray From The Message
Book 38 of 67 · published 2005
The Power of a Friend: Words to Speak and Pray From The Message
Book 39 of 67 · published 2005
Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life
Book 40 of 67 · published 2006
Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places Study Guide
Book 41 of 67 · published 2006 Co-authored · Peter Santucci
Eat This Book Study Guide
Book 42 of 67 · published 2006 Co-authored · Peter Santucci
A Year with Jesus: Daily Readings and Meditations
Book 44 of 67 · published 2006
The Jesus Way Study Guide
Book 45 of 67 · published 2007 Co-authored · Peter Santucci
Practice Resurrection Study Guide
Book 48 of 67 · published 2010 Co-authored · Peter Santucci
Leap Over a Wall Study Guide: Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians
Book 50 of 67 · published 2011 Co-authored · Michael M. Smith
The Message Canvas Bible: Coloring and Journaling the Story of God
Book 53 of 67 · published 2017
As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God
Book 54 of 67 · published 2017
Every Step an Arrival: A 90-Day Devotional for Exploring God's Word
Book 55 of 67 · published 2017
A Month of Sundays: Thirty-One Days of Wrestling with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Book 57 of 67 · published 2019
The Message of Hope : Encouragement from the Bible in Contemporary Language
Book 58 of 67 · published 2020
Letters to a Young Pastor: Timothy Conversations Between Father and Son
Book 59 of 67 · published 2020 Co-authored · Eric E. Peterson
This Hallelujah Banquet: How the End of What We Were Reveals Who We Can Be
Book 60 of 67 · published 2021
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction Bible Study
Book 61 of 67 · published 2021
Symphony of Salvation: A 60-Day Devotional Journey through the Books of the Bible
Book 62 of 67 · published 2021
On Living Well: Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus
Book 63 of 67 · published 2021
The Message of Genesis: Echoes : The Bible Meets the Culture of Today
Book 65 of 67 · published 2023
The Message of Matthew: Echoes : The Bible Meets the Culture of Today
Book 66 of 67 · published 2023
Lights a Lovely Mile: Collected Sermons of the Church Year
Latest in the series · book 67 of 67 · published 2023
Ruth: Discovering Your Place in God's Story
Series opener · book 1 of 3 · published 2017
Mary: Seeing God Through the Eyes of a Mother
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 2017
Christian Basics: Prayer
Series opener · book 1 of 12 · published 1635 Anthology · Bill Hybels
Wisdom: Making Life Work : 6 Studies for Individuals or Groups With Leader's Notes
Book 2 of 12 · published 1811 Anthology · Bill Hybels
Gods Word For Contemporary Christians
Book 3 of 12 · published 1994 Anthology · John Stott
Character: Who You Are When No One's Looking: 6 Studies for Individuals or Groups
Book 5 of 12 · published 1994 Anthology · Bill Hybels
Prayer: Too Busy Not To Pray : 6 Studies For Individuals Or Groups
Book 6 of 12 · published 1994 Anthology · Bill Hybels
Priorities: Tyranny Of The Urgent
Book 7 of 12 · published 1994 Anthology · Charles E. Hummel
Lordship: Basic Discipleship
Book 8 of 12 · published 1996 Anthology · Floyd McClung
Perseverance: A Long Obedience In The Same Direction
Book 9 of 12 · published 1996
Decisions: Finding God's Will : 6 Studies for Individuals or Groups With Leader's Notes
Book 11 of 12 · published 1996 Anthology · J.I. Packer
Hope: Never Beyond Hope : 6 Studies for Individuals or Groups With Leader's Notes
Latest in the series · book 12 of 12 · published 2003 Anthology · J.I. Packer,Carolyn Nystrom
Leader's Guide : Design for Discipleship(0)Description / Buy at AmazonDesign for Discipleship: Growing in Discipleship, Book 6
Series opener · book 1 of 6 · published 1973 Anthology · The Navigators
Design for Discipleship: The Character of the Christian, Book 4
Book 3 of 6 · published 1973 Anthology · The Navigators
Design for Discipleship: Walking with Christ, Book 3
Book 5 of 6 · published 1980 Anthology · The Navigators
Design for Discipleship:Our Hope in Christ, Book 7
Latest in the series · book 6 of 6 · published 1980 Anthology · The Navigators
Church: Why Bother?: My Personal Pilgrimage
Book 2 of 10 · published 1997 Co-authored · Philip Yancey
Disarming the Darkness: A Guide to Spiritual Warfare
Book 3 of 10 · published 1998 Anthology · Calvin Miller
Whole Prayer: Speaking and Listening to God
Book 4 of 10 · published 2001 Co-authored · Walter Wangerin Jr.
Where Is God When It Hurts?
Book 5 of 10 · published 2002 Anthology · Philip Yancey
Keeping Company with God
Book 7 of 10 · published 2007 Anthology · Philip Yancey
The Jesus I Never Knew Participant's Guide
Book 9 of 10 · published 2008 Anthology · Philip Yancey,Claude V
What's So Amazing About Grace? Participant's Guide
Latest in the series · book 10 of 10 · published 2008 Anthology · Philip Yancey
Going On With Christ
Series opener · book 1 of 4 · published 1980 Anthology · The Navigators
Lessons on Assurance
Latest in the series · book 4 of 4 · published 2007 Anthology · Cynthia Heald
Ezra & Nehemiah
Series opener · book 1 of 29 · published 1985 Anthology · The Navigators
A Navpress Bible Study on the Books of Acts
Book 7 of 29 · published 1987 Anthology · The Navigators
A Navpress Bible Study on the Book of 1, 2 & 3 John
Book 9 of 29 · published 1988 Co-authored · The Navigators
Colossians & Philemon
Book 10 of 29 · published 1988 Anthology · The Navigators
A Navpress Bible Study on the Book of John
Book 19 of 29 · published 1995 Anthology · T.W. Hunt
Daniel
Latest in the series · book 29 of 29 · published 2013 Anthology · The Navigators
Redefining Life: For Women
Latest in the series · book 4 of 4 · published 2006 Anthology · Margaret Feinberg
Developing Your Faith
Series opener · book 1 of 3 · published 1981 Co-authored · The Navigators
Growing as a Christian
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 1981 Anthology · The Navigators
What Cannot Be Fixed
Book 4 of 12 · published 2021 Anthology · Martin E. Marty,Jill Peláez Baumgaertner
Trespassing on the Mount of Olives
Book 7 of 12 · published 2021 Anthology · Brad Davis
The Angel of Absolute Zero
Book 8 of 12 · published 2022 Anthology · Marjorie Stelmach
Cup My Days Like Water
Book 11 of 12 · published 2023 Anthology · Abigail Carroll
Soon Done with the Crosses
Latest in the series · book 12 of 12 · published 2023 Anthology · Claude Wilkinson
Isaiah, 1-39
Series opener · book 1 of 8 · published 1998 Anthology · Walter Brueggemann
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs
Book 4 of 8 · published 2000 Anthology · Ellen F. Davis
First and Second Corinthians
Latest in the series · book 8 of 8 · published 2015 Anthology · John Proctor
The Swiftly Tilting Worlds of Madeleine L'Engle: Essays In Her Honor
Book 2 of 8 · published 2001
How Great Is Our God: Timeless Daily Readings on the Nature of God
Book 3 of 8 · published 2011
The Road We Must Travel: A Personal Guide for Your Journey
Book 4 of 8 · published 2014
Faith That Matters: 365 Devotions from Classic Christian Leaders
Book 7 of 8 · published 2018
A Radiant Resurrection: Lent and Easter Readings from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost
Latest in the series · book 8 of 8 · published 2026
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eugene H. Peterson?
Eugene H. Peterson was an American religion and spirituality author with over 30 books under his name. He was born in Stanwood, Washington, and raised in Kalispell, Montana. He attended Seattle Pacific University, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy, a degree in theology from New York Theological Seminary, and Semitic languages master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Which Eugene H. Peterson series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Christian Basics Bible Studies series, the earliest of Eugene H. Peterson's multi-book series: it opens with Christian Basics: Prayer (1635) and runs to 12 books across 1635–2003, ending with Hope: Never Beyond Hope : 6 Studies for Individuals or Groups With Leader's Notes (2003). Eugene H. Peterson's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has Eugene H. Peterson written?
Eugene H. Peterson has 187 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1635 and 2026. 111 of them belong to 15 named series — the largest being the Lifechange series with 29 books — and 76 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Eugene H. Peterson's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Eugene H. Peterson's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Christian Basics Bible Studies (1635–2003, 12 books), Design for Discipleship (1973–1980, 6 books) and The Pastoral (1980–1992, 4 books), plus 12 more.
How are Eugene H. Peterson's books organised into series?
This guide splits Eugene H. Peterson's 187 books into 15 named series and 76 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Lifechange (29 books, 1985–2013); Christian Basics Bible Studies (12 books, 1635–2003); Poiema Poetry (12 books, 2013–2023); Growing Deeper (10 books, 1997–2008); Westminster Bible Companion (8 books, 1998–2015), plus 10 further series.