Story Theology: Exploring Themes of the Gospel Through Stories - Paperback

by J. A. Kays (Author)

We understand who we are and the world we live in only because of story. Without story, it is impossible to define our identity, meaning, purpose, or action. The Bible, after all, is a story--it begins with Alpha and ends with Omega. It is God's story--the story of everything. By it, we learn how the Christian story is not a piece of a larger story but claims to be the story in which other stories find their place. To answer the most fundamental questions about who we are and the world we live in, we must use a story. From a mother who visits her son on death row, to a disillusioned man questioning suicide, to a family experiencing the hope and hardship of a premature baby, this book explores ten central themes of the gospel--steadfast love, sin, faith, holiness, joy, goodness, hope, compassion, forgiveness, and peace--in story form. An interpretation of each story follows in a section where careful analysis sheds light on each biblical theme. By using storytelling to communicate theological truth, this work provides a unique resource for theological reflection that's helpful for anyone willing to step into a story.

Author Biography

J. A. Kays is a teaching pastor at Journey the Church in Camarillo, California. He has a DMin from Duke Divinity School and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.