Called by Stories

“Called by Stories challenges the way we see our lives, the way we see law, the way law is taught, and the way we practice law. . . . Professor Ball inspires us. . . .” - Douglas B. Ammar , Georgia Bar Journal

“Called by Stories provides a provocative and original view of the biblical sagas and should be of interest to anyone who enjoys pondering ancient texts and exploring the power of words on the development of a belief system.” - Karen G. Seinfeld , Jurist

“Ball’s essays reflect a serious wish to bring religious commitment into a living relationship with legal practice . . . .” - P. Addinall , Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

“This is a wonderful book to read. . . . It is full of wonders and of wonder. The title and the profession of the author lead the reader to expect a carefully constructed argument about tightly defined terms. Instead, the reader observes a parade of surprises and is invited to join the parade. . . . This law professor is also a theologian of remarkable knowledge and skill. He believes that theological reflection and theological categories can be used effectively in understanding the role of law in the actual living of life. . . . The author is not the first to make this connection. His presentation may be, however, one of the most persuasive.” - James H. Burtness , Journal of Church and State

"[A] refreshing read that will lead most readers beyond accustomed interpretation of text or of life. . . . Ball brings passion, eloquence, and erudition that enhance the human and all those who care about the human. This is an important read!" - Walter Brueggemann , Theology Today

"[The law practices Ball describes] open the possibility of finding spiritual satisfaction in legal work for ‘sleeping well at night’ as one judge puts it, for resolving what Tikkun recently called ‘the crisis of meaning’ in our contemporary lives, for discovering the joy that comes from losing oneself in the service of something greater. . . . Ball employs not only theologlical argument, but also literary interpretation, journalistic reporting, a good deal of personal narrative, and simply moral reflection to engage the reader directly. . . . These meditations tell the story of one man’s intellectual attempt to make moral and religious sense of his own life, and the lives of some people he admires, in law. It is a story, and an intellectual journey, that is well conceived and well told. - Robin West , William & Mary Law Review

“Milner Ball has written a wonderful book, a sustained and fruitful meditation on the relation between fundamental biblical texts and possible meanings of the practice of law in modern America. He illuminates these crucial texts and the law itself in original, surprising, and highly persuasive ways. A truly impressive achievement.” - James Boyd White, author of Acts of Hope: The Creation of Authority in Literature, Law, and Politics

“Simply put, this book is extraordinary. Its author is a wordsmith of the very first order. He says strikingly original things about familiar old texts and acutely probes pressing contemporary issues. Milner Ball is deeply learned across traditional disciplinary lines, but he wears his learning lightly. A wise, clear, and funny conversationalist, he is also extraordinarily deep and inspiring.” - Aviam Soifer, author of Law and the Company We Keep

“This artful interweaving of literature and law evokes the power of biblical narrative to inform contemporary life. The result is a rich tapestry of words for sustained reflection and appropriation.” - Phyllis Trible, author of Rhetorical Criticism: Context, Method, and the Book of Jonah