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Although the author is obviously chock full of profound convictions, Girl Meets God isn't a work of apologetics in the technical sense, attempting to persuade others to the truth of its position by reason and removal of obstacles. It is more like a confession or prayer, faith seeking understanding. It happened, that is certain, but why? And what does it mean?

Alongside eloquent passages on the meaning of the Incarnation are admissions of failure in the practice of Torah. The reluctant acceptance of an Ash Wednesday cross on the forehead is paired with a recasting of Pentecost in a more Jewish light. Rabbinic interpretation has its place next to the patristic, and the result is not Christianity in any familiar denominational color—other than a few touches of Anglicanism, Winner's church home—but the Christianity of a Jew. And this is not only a Jew of the sort New Testament readers know, but a Jew whose Judaism is filled with 2,000 extra years of history and thought and worship.

As such, Winner's story is invaluable to Christians who tend to forget that Jesus Christ was born a Jew, lived a Jew, and died a Jew. And who knows? If it falls into the hands of other Jews, it might cause further unease—leading to faith in the Messiah who came once and will come again.

Sarah Hinlicky Wilson, recently married, is the vicar at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Girl Meets God is available at Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

Betty Smartt Carter reviewedGirl Meets God in CT sister publication Books & Culture.

Winner is contributing editor for CT and regularly writes for Christianity Today sister publication Books & Culture and Boundless Webzine. Christianity Today articles by Lauren F. Winner include:

meetingGod@Beliefnet.com | I thought the high-powered, heady world of dot-coms—even dot-coms devoted to religion and spirituality—was far removed from my own walk with Christ.

Solitary Refinement | The church is doing better than ever at ministering to single people. But some evangelical assumptions still need rethinking. (June 4, 2001)

The New Ecumenists | At the Vine, emerging Christian leaders are reinterpreting the meaning of church unity. (Feb. 5, 2001)

Policy Wonks for Christ | At Civitas, grad students learn to think Christianly about public life. (Nov. 16, 2000)

The Man Behind the Megachurch | There would be no Willow Creek—no small groups, no women in leadership, no passion for service—without Gilbert Bilezikian. (Nov. 6, 2000)

Good News for Witches | Every Halloween, thousands of Wiccans descend on Salem, Massachusetts—and local churches reach out. (Oct. 27, 2000)

The Weigh & the Truth | Christian dieting programs—like Gwen Shamblin's Weigh Down Diet—help believers pray off the pounds. But what deeper messages are they sending about faith and fitness? (August 25, 2000)

Something Old, Something True | With The Story of Us, released on video today, Hollywood offers a rationale for sticking with marriage. (Feb. 14, 2000)

T. D. Jakes Feels Your Pain | Though critics question his theology, this fiery preacher packs arenas with a message of emotional healing. (Feb. 7, 2000)

Eavesdropping: An Open-Door Policy | Is meeting alone with a member of the opposite sex dangerous? Is taking steps against it sexist? (Nov. 8, 1999)

Eternal Ink | A growing movement of Christian tattooists is leaving its mark on both body and soul. (Oct. 4, 1999)

Death, Inc. | What the funeral industry doesn't want you to know. (April 26, 1999)

Whoa, Susannah! | It's great music, but its portrayal of Christian hypocrisy will make you wince. (Oct. 4, 1997)

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July 2003, Vol. 47, No. 7