Narrative Apologetics - by Alister E. McGrath

About the book:

The Bible is a narrative--the story of God's creation, humankind's fall, and God's plan of redemption. And it is filled with countless smaller stories that teach us about people, history, and the nature of God. This comes as no surprise. After all, we are hardwired to tell stories because we are created in the image of God. Despite this, we often attempt to share our faith with others not through story but through systems, arguments, and talking points--methods that appeal to the mind but neglect the imagination.

In this groundbreaking book, scholar and author Alister McGrath lays a foundation for narrative apologetics before considering the many ways in which it can be used. Exploring four major biblical narratives, enduring stories such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, and personal narratives from figures such as St. Augustine and Chuck Colson, McGrath shows how we can both understand and share our faith through the use of stories.

My review:

This was an interesting book but I didn't realize it was more of an academic work than a how-to on using stories to discuss your faith.  McGrath explained some of the history of narrative apologetics, its importance and the different ways we can use it.  He also pointed out that something is lost when certain aspects of faith are explained factually instead.  Jesus used parables and there was a very good reason He did!  There's a reason we were given an imagination and there's an important place for it.  I loved all of the quotes from C. S. Lewis and also Dorothy L. Sayers and J. R. R. Tolkien.  He also pointed out how some of the core questions we have as human beings can be best answered through the Christian narrative and how that might come about.  Finally, he talked about the different narratives we can use, Biblical, personal and cultural.  I think Bible teachers, pastors or anyone who wonders at the validity of using narratives when discussing their faith would find this book interesting.

I received this book from Baker Books.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Alister E. McGrath

   Alister E. McGrath (DPhil and DD, University of Oxford; Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts) is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University and director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion. He is the author of many...
   

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