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

By Bartholomew Craig and Michael W. Goheen

The story of the Bible and its account of God's action in the world give meaning to our lives and provide us with the foundation for our actions.

The Drama of Scripture is an introduction to the basic story line and theology of the Bible. In considering the biblical story, the authors emphasize the unity of the whole, viewing the Bible as a drama in six acts--creation, sin, Israel, Christ, church, and new creation. Two overarching themes tie the biblical story together--covenant in the Old Testament and kingdom in the New Testament. Throughout, the authors suggest, God is revealed through the story and calls us to participate in his drama.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9781441200181

Reviews for The Drama of Scripture

[bkimbrough-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[nathan7c7moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[adamtarn_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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!