Book Review- The Drama Of Scripture

The Drama Of Scripture

In order to make sense of our lives, we must understand the context in which it is placed- the big story that influences daily the way we live our lives. Different cultures tend to define their lives using different stories, of their cultures or their towns or families. However, to truly make sense of our lives, according to The Drama of Scripture, we must use the story of scripture in its entirety to define our lives. The challenge that I found in the book is that we must not live our lives according to our culture or the story of our localities and merely attempt to fit in the story of scripture into the gaps that these other stories leave, rather we must live our lives according to God’s big story alone, and allow it to influence these other stories.

The Drama of Scripture allowed me to understand stories of the bible that I already knew within the context of the entire history of the Bible, as well as teaching me about books that I previously had not explored. It specifically gave me a much clearer understanding of the importance and relevance of the Old Testament with relation to the life of Jesus and the beginnings of the Christian church. It also highlighted for me the importance of knowing who God is- not only creator, not only saviour, but both Elhohim and Yahweh. Once we begin to grasp this, and of course we understand it more and more as we explore scripture, our lives are changed and our decisions are influenced.

Another thought I had about the book is that the story of scripture not only enables us to understand who God is, but allows us to see who we are with relation to who God is. The entire Bible, both in creation, and in the covenants that God makes with his people, God displays the perfect relationship that He designed for us to have with Him. He is sovereign, over creation and His people, yet we are the crown of creation, designed in His image to be in direct relationship with our creator. Yet this relationship is not of equals, as well as being a father/child bond, it is also clearly a King/servant relationship. We are designed for the completion of God’s kingdom, yet we are not supposed to be distant from Him, but in intimate and constant discussion with Him.

As an overview of the whole Bible, The Drama of Scripture was really effective and helpful for widening my knowledge of scriptures, especially of the Old Testament. It especially answered questions that I had about the importance of Abraham, and later on the Israelites and helped me to realise that God was not showing favouritism- but intended to bless all nations on earth through one man, and then one people. This taught me, which I am sure was the intention of the writers of the book, that God’s plans are much wider than we can comprehend. When we see scripture as a whole story from beginning to end, we can gain understanding about the importance and relevance carrying out the plans that God has for us.