The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story

An excellent book that traces the grand narrative of Scripture and unites the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Borrowing from N.T. Wright's framework, Bartholomew and Goheen move through the "six acts" of the Bible's Big Story: Creation ("God Establishes His Kingdom"), Fall ("Rebellion in the Kingdom"), Redemption Initiated ("The King Chooses Israel"), Redemption Accomplished ("The Coming of the King"), The Mission of the Church ("Spreading the News of the King") and Redemption Completed ("The Return of the King").

Already it is obvious that one of the authors' key objectives is to widen the horizons of Christians (especially American evangelicals) who are accustomed to thinking about themselves as the main point of Scripture. Even if show more it isn't intentional, many evangelicals assume the Gospel (the "good news" of the Bible) is that Jesus died to pay the penalty for their individual sins so they can spend eternity in heaven with him. And while that is certainly a feature of the story, it is by no means the central theme. In fact, as the authors demonstrate, the main character of the Bible is God who is both Creator and King and who established for himself a kingdom and made and appointed human beings to steward that kingdom as his vice-regents. When man rebelled against the King, they through that kingdom into chaos as rebellions often do. However, the good news of the Bible, evident as early as Genesis 3, is that God will also play the role of Redeemer, restoring his good creation--humans included. The Old Testament shows us God's plan to accomplish that redemptive mission which involves electing one family, Abraham being the head, through whom all the nations of the world will be blessed. Jesus, as both a member of that human lineage and also truly divine, exemplifies fully God's sovereign and gracious role to bring about redemption. That is the story of the Bible, and the church plays the part of inheritor and guardian of that story. We invoke and remember the story in order to shape and form our present and future actions, keeping the story alive as we fulfill the mission Christ has given us until his return.

Employing a narrative hermeneutic as Bartholomew and Goheen do (which I believe is exactly in line with how Scripture intends itself to be read) will go a long way in reinvigorating the evangelical imagination. It will take our eyes off of ourselves to see that Scripture is not about us, but it does concern us as members of a story and a community that is bigger than ourselves. Our culture attempts to "free" us from all associations and connections in the frenzied demand for self-actualization. In the end, we're more depressed, lonely, and dejected than ever. Into this void, the good news of the Gospel--the full Gospel--can be an incredibly attractive light. And the best part, it's all true. show less

In the preface of "The Drama of Scripture: Finding our Place in the Biblical Story," authors Bartholomew and Goheen, suggest that this book was birthed out of necessity. Frustrated for want of a good introductory text for a Biblical Theology course, this book was their attempt to fill a void. However, this should not deter either more advanced readers or lay readers from picking up this book.Leaning heavily upon N.T. Wright's five-act structure of the Scriptures, the authors suggest that the Scriptures contain the story of the world. With God as the director, humans find themselves caught up as actors or agents on the stage of the Great Drama in which God intends to showcase His glory. The authors commend this reading of the Scriptures show more but suggest a six-act model rather than Wright's five-act model. Focusing heavily upon a kingdom motif, the authors proceed to give a delightful account of the Biblical drama that is likely to interest and educate a wide range of Biblical students. Readers will find that reading Biblical theology substantially illuminates their understanding of systematic theology and their interpretation for nearly every single text. It is from within the Biblical Narrative that thousands of seemingly fragmented books, narratives, and verses find their meaning. As alluded to earlier, one of the greatest strengths of this book is the authors' skill in simultaneously describing both the proverbial forest and the trees. Readers are constantly 'zooming out' to grasp the Biblical story and then 'zooming in' to shed meaning on individual acts or actors. Its like studying the same object with both a microscope and telescope from the same lab. Only precise narrative craftsmanship can avoid the seemingly inevitable headache that would accompany such study. It is the authors' craftsmanship which makes this introductory Biblical theology so distinguishable. show less

Building on N.T. Wrights idea of the 5-Act play, Goheen and Bartholomew paint in broad brush the full scope of the biblical story (in six acts) in order to help us locate ourselves in the Biblical story. Helpful things here but relatively basic. Good for people who haven't read their bible yet.

Excellent resource for the person who wants to understand the bible, its overarching and basic redemptive historical structure as well as trace and understand the broad themes of the Bible like covenant, redemption, kingship, sin, dwelling, judgment, Jesus as fulfillment, community, the return of the king. Well written but not so detailed that you get bogged down. Great companion to read alongside the Bible.

Discussing the importance of metanarrative, the authors draw on N.T. Wright's 'five act play' analogy for the bible as a comprehensive story and walk the reader through each of those acts with the addition of an intertestamental interlude and a final act six. For those who need a good, thorough introduction to biblical theology utilizing the motif of the kingdom of God Bartholomew and Goheen's book is priceless. There are also corresponding web resources for those who wish to use the book as an undergrad course or adult bible study. This is a must have!