GOSPEL STORIES:
How the Greatest Story is Richer, Deeper,
and More Wonderful Than We Think
By Andrew Wilson
10Publishing. 276 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978 1 837 280 308
The back cover puts it like this: “In fifty-seven short narratives, Gospel Stories explores the beautiful, triumphant, often heartbreaking and always glorious stories that make up the gospel of God.” This is a fair summary.
The word “story” is a little misleading, in that several of the chapters are more propositional explanations rather than narratives/stories (albeit superbly illustrated). The concept is cleverly conceived and ably executed. The 57 are arranged under the structure of five acts in a drama – Act One: Creation and Fall. Act Two: Israel and History. Act Three: Poets and Prophets. Act Four: Jesus and Rescue. Act Five: Restoration and Hope.
It is not however a strict sequence of ideas or in chronological order, but ranges through Scripture’s various parts that link with the theme of each act. For example, in Act One, Creation and Fall, chapter 5, entitled “Authority Regained”, the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 features Jesus’ authority. The gospel story makes an enormous impact on the original creator-given authority to humanity. The chapter concludes: “No more would people’s dominion be shared with, or even stolen by, other creatures. Jesus, and Jesus alone, holds all authority in heaven and on earth.”
It is a little difficult to categorise this volume. A kind of Bible overview, a sort of Biblical theology, a form of a Christian doctrine survey – but it demonstrates well how the gospel of God is the heart and soul of Scripture.
The chapters are an extremely good handling of each topic/theme covered. I particularly appreciated the chapters “Authority Regained”, “Christus Victor”, and “The Temple”. It is great to see a work throbbing with conviction about penal substitution and explaining it with clarity. Like a torch shining through a crystal, the author (his picture) aims to highlight the multiple facets of the gospel – and succeeds!
The book also has a variety of potential uses, personal or home-group study, a resource for preachers, a manual for new Christians, revision for poorly taught Christians! The author is well known for his Biblical, fresh, compelling, clear, and contemporary writing and this book is just that. Not all will share the writer’s view of Prophecy (pp.132/133) but that does not detract from the value of the book. I enjoyed it and can recommend it.
