The problem of Eden is much worse than you thought, but the solution is much better than you could have ever imagined.

Between Two Trees reveals that the real tragedy of Eden is a union with death, a union that produces division and despair. Life isn’t lived under Eden’s tree of life or beneath the healing leaves of the tree in the New Jerusalem. It is lived between them. And between these two trees, life is hard. In spite of this tragedy, Between Two Trees will challenge you to embrace hope, love, and the beauty of reconciliation at the true tree of life: the cross of Calvary.

By exploring the problem of Eden and the power of the cross, Shane Wood calls us to walk on a path to transformation, a path to union with God. The book’s journey ends under the shade of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem with God’s unfinished creation now complete. Yes, Eden, but more importantly, you. The unfinished creation in us.

If you doubt it's possible for one image to tell the whole story from Genesis to Revelation, then you need to read Shane Wood's masterful Between Two Trees. There isn't another book that comes close to it, both in its pioneering methodology and in its brilliance of presentation. I found myself completely absorbed and provoked by my own missed readings of the Scriptures. — Leonard Sweet, Charles Wesley Distinguished Professor of Doctoral Studies, Evangelical Seminary

Through theological reflection poised with poetic flare, Shane Wood admirably explores the trials and triumphs of a world united to death yet wooed by a tender father to return home. This book challenges our understanding of the problem of Eden and enhances the revelation of the depths of God's solution in Jesus union with God. Reading Between Two Trees, you will be deeply enriched, tenderly called, and masterfully guided into the transformative power of the incarnate Christ. — Fr. Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and best-selling author of Everything Belongs and Falling Upward

A professor of mine once told me I could not understand either the apostle Paul or the Bible until I understood the potency of death. He said Paul was a 'thanatologist,' which means one who studies death. That professor was right, but very few until Shane Wood's excellent, playful, and poetic exploration of the Bible's thanatology have let the specter of death emerge in furious force in their theology. Between Two Trees is a splendid entrance into the heart of Christian theology. — Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary, and author of The King Jesus Gospel

The Bible tells a huge story, one big enough to embrace, empower, and transform everyone's story. This book unpacks that huge story as well as any I have ever read. I am so grateful to Shane Wood for giving the church such an insightful and helpful way to understand God's big story. Between Two Trees will help us grasp a better narrative and help us transform our own stories into better tales of redemption. — Rick Atchley, Senior Teaching Minister, The Hills Church, North Richland Hills, TX

The Bible opens with a tree, and it closes with a tree. In between, we find an epic tale of God's love for us. Shane Wood knows the metanarrative of Scripture like few others, but what is more important is that he lives its principles every day. He trusts the author who writes the story and the gardener who cares for his creation. Be sure to read Between Two Trees and nurture the fruit within. — Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan and Don t Give Up

How do you tell the story of humanity as portrayed in the Bible and make it both riveting and relevant with fresh twists around every bend? Shane Wood has accomplished just that. Part autobiography, part theology, and part narrative of the story of every human being, we laugh, cry, agonize, and end with great hope as we see the story of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation with fresh eyes. A delight to read. — Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

Between Two Trees is a contemplative and passionate work that explains in a scholarly yet accessible manner the personal transformation we can all have by knowing Christ Jesus. Shane Wood brilliantly challenges us to cling to hope, love, and life, even while we are in the middle of struggle, strife, and division. I highly recommend Between Two Trees as a guide for your spiritual journey. — Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor, Community Christian Church, Naperville, IL, and author of Finding Your Way Back to God and Starting Over

Simultaneously honest confession and wise counsel, Shane Wood's Between Two Trees invites us to contemplate life in terms of union and transformation. Anyone looking for new perspectives on old questions about faith and life, about sin and death and God, about being fully human, will be enriched by this book. It guides us toward living between the trees of creation and new creation in light of the tree in the middle: the cross of Jesus. — Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary's

Shane Wood understands that our life of union with God has been reduced to a simple transaction: confess Jesus, get heaven someday. He opens our eyes to the drama and mystery of God’s ardent longing for humanity and our eager response to this relentless love. — Jan Johnson, author of Invitation to the Jesus Life and Meeting God in Scripture

Shane Wood steers our heads and hearts to the final pages of the Bible and helps us better understand God’s blueprint for a transformed creation. The work of Jesus has changed, is changing, and will change the sinful world we live in, and that includes our sin-saturated lives. Between Two Trees will help you bridge the gap between who you are and who you most long to be. — Jon Weece, Lead Follower, Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY, and author of Jesus Prom and Me Too

Only a few authors compel me to immediately read anything they write. Dr. Shane Wood is one of those authors. I know of no finer scholar who truly embodies what it means to love God and love people. You'll find his reasoning to be well thought-out, God-centered, and full of grace. I’m grateful for the insight, encouragement, and conviction that Shane’s work has brought to my life. I know you’ll experience the same as well. — Caleb Kaltenbach, author of Messy Grace and God of Tomorrow

In his own inimitable style, which can only be described as theological poetry, Dr. Wood manages to bridge the breadth of the Bible by rooting the grand narrative in a tangible metaphor of two trees. This simplified template of God’s metanarrative helps us get our hands around the entirety of the Bible. We owe a debt to Dr. Wood for allowing us to see with prophetic clarity God’s heart as well as our own. — Mark Moore, Teaching Pastor, Christ’s Church of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ, and author of The Chronological Life of Christ and Kenotic Politics

Shane Wood penetrates the surface of the biblical story to reveal how God’s original creation went wrong and how it will be restored. Wood shows that the redemption God offers is nothing less than restoration of the Eden ideal, which is at the heart of our deepest longings. With fresh insight, Shane Wood explores and explains the fear, anxiety, alienation, and vulnerability we experience living life between the fateful tree of Eden and the restorative tree of Revelation. — Thomas Williams, best-selling author of The Crown of Eden

Shane J. Wood (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is Professor of New Testament and Associate Academic Dean at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, and serves as a teaching minister at College Heights Christian Church. Shane speaks to thousands of people each year at conferences, churches, and colleges, both nationally and internationally. In addition to his book The Alter-Imperial Paradigm: Empire Studies and the Book of Revelation, Shane has written YouVersion devotions and Huffington Post blogs. He also offers free lectures, sermons, and unique Bible study opportunities at www.shanejwood.com.

ISBN 9781684260706

Pages 240

Dimensions (inches) 5.5 x 8.25