Manna: Bread for Your Spiritual Journey

Carol M. Bechtel

about

About

Carol M. Bechtel has been helping people to find their way through the Bible for over 30 years. She is a widely-respected author, teacher, and public speaker.

Carol grew up on a farm in Fulton, Illinois—a place her husband and children appreciatively refer to as “The Shire.” Educated at Hope College and Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Yale University. She began her teaching career at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia and has taught at her alma mater, Western Theological Seminary, since 1994.

Although Carol has earned her stripes in the academic world, her heart is in the church. “My deepest sense of call has always been in helping people understand that the Bible is a book about and for them.” This calling has shaped her writing priorities over the years. “I love writing devotionals,” Bechtel says. “And I am obsessed with providing substantive, accessible Bible studies for intelligent, curious Christians.” To that end, Bechtel strives to provide material that is:

  • Scholarly without being boring
  • Relevant without being reactionary
  • Accessible without being watered down.

Carol’s calling as both a writer and a speaker has taken her the world. Here are just a few of the places she’s taught over the course of her career:

  • Preacher and Workshop Leader for the Montreat Worship and Music Conference (Presbyterian Association of Musicians), Montreat, North Carolina, 2000 & 2016
  • Keynote Speaker and Preacher at Rathgar Presbyterian Church, Republic of Ireland, April 2009.
  • Preacher for Convocation and Pastor’s School, Duke Divinity School, October 7-9, 2007 (with speakers Wendell Berry, Ellen Davis, Norman Wirzba, and Wes Jackson)
  • Workshop leader at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Pretoria, South Africa, March 2005. (Workshop title: “Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahms’ Requiem.”)
  • Keynote Bible Study Leader Church-Wide Gathering 2000, Presbyterian Women, Louisville, Kentucky

Carol lives in Holland, Michigan with her husband, Tom. They have four children and ten grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, gardening, singing, and playing the Celtic harp.

 

 

 

books

Books

Books  

  • Glimpses of Glory. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1998
  • Life after Grace. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2003
  • Esther: A Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Interpretation series. James L. Mays and Patrick D. Miller, editors. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2002. Italian translation (Torino: Claudiana, 2005). Japanese translation (United Church of Christ in Japan, 2007).
  • Touching the Altar: The Old Testament and Christian Worship. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008; editor of volume and author of chapter, “Knowing our Limits: Job’s Wisdom on Worship.”

 

Curricula  

 

  • Hallelujah! The Bible and Handel’s Messiah, Resource Book and Leader’s Guide.  Pittsburgh: The Kerygma Program, 1995.
  • Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahms’ Requiem, Resource Book and  Leader’s Guide. Pittsburgh: The Kerygma Program, 1997.
  • Job and the Life of Faith: Wisdom for Today’s World, Resource Book and Leader’s Guide. Pittsburgh: The Kerygma Program, 2004.
  • Above and Beyond: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth. National Horizons Bible Study for 2007-2008. Louisville: Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (USA), 2007.
  • Living in Community. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2008.
  • Celebrating Sabbath: Accepting God’s Gift of Rest and Delight. National Horizons Bible Study for 2022-23. Louisville: Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (USA), 2022.

 

events

Events

Here are a few of the places you can hear Dr. Bechtel preach and/or teach in the coming months:
November 20 & 27 – Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan (2165 W. Lakewood Blvd, Holland, MI 49424) – 6:30 PM; Topic TBA
March 19, 2025 – Faith Reformed Church, Zeeland, Michigan (220 W. Central Ave., Zeeland, MI49464) – 12:00 PM; Harp & Psalms
March 19, 2025 – Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan (2165 W. Lakewood Blvd, Holland, MI 49424) – 6:30 PM; Malachi
If you are interested in having Dr. Bechtel preach or teach, contact her directly at carol.bechtel@westernsem.edu
content

Contact



    Disclaimer

    This is the website/blog of Carol M. Bechtel. The opinions expressed by Carol do not represent those of any guest or other organization, and the opinions represented by any guest or other organization do not necessarily represent the opinions of Carol. The information provided is on an as-is basis. Carol makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this website/blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. Inclusion of guests or other organizations does not represent an endorsement of or from those entities.

    Please also see our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Terms and Conditions of Sale.