A great little book on the Story of God. There is a small group curriculum that you can study alongside as well. It's a short 90 page book. Great for first-time converts or a short bible study.

I went back and forth on how much to rate this book. It is one I will consider keeping and might read again (which is one of my criteria for a 4-5 rating) and I did really enjoy it (also one of my criteria for a 4-5 rating) but I did start it once before, put it down, and take it back up again (though in this case it was because I had too many other books started at the time and I wanted to read it at a time I could focus on its message) and some of the stories he references as examples are not ones I've seen which can make it hard to follow.

Eldredge claims that the stories that resonate the most with us have parallels to the Biblical story.

I have loved reading as long as I can remember. I also like watching movies. So it follows that I like a good story. That's probably one reason that Eldredge's approach resonates with me. It might not be the same for others who aren't as into those pasttimes. ( )

Short but interesting book on the OT/NT scriptures as story of God's plan for humanity (2004). Some major flaws for Roman Catholic readers but some pleasant surprises as well (i.e., such as universal salvation for all by believing in Christ). This book uses films and literature, including poetry, to illustrate the point that life has a narrative just like a film plot which must be seen from different points of view. The author tries to be engaging by using current films as topics to discuss the idea of salvation history. The book ends abruptly with an unconvincing call to christian action (by apparently proselytizing) but I still think the authors aim is worthwhile. To see the world and your life as an "epic" production with a happy conclusion that God has already been ordained in advance.
The last thing I learned is that some Christians see Satan as an Angelic Lord who rebelled and who is described in Ezekiel 28: 12-17 as the origin of evil's existence in the material world. Catholics beieve that Satan is the origin of evil in the world but never exalt Satan as second only to the Godhead. Catholics believe Satan is a spiritual creature and more powerful than other material intellectual creatures like ourselves but in no way a rival to God or Jesus as the Second Person. The description in Ez. is of an ancient pagan king of Tyre who was originally good (as a ruler of government) but fell into corruption and became the prime example of why people should never trust a king who has no allegiance to the one true God as Abraham and Melchizedek had shown. This position of Satan in Eldredge's book doesn't seem crucial for his task but I've learned that Satan's origin has a very different "narrative" from my own christian tradition. Even though Satan is an Angel (fallen) he is still closer to humans as a creature among creatures than to God who is uncreated and can never be challenged secretly or openly. Catholic ideas are still based on Thomas Aquinas' speculative views in the Summa Theologica.
This book follows the tradition among literary scholars who in the 1980s started their analysis of literary works as dramas (as in Greek Dramas and philosophical dialogues and not primarily as Freudian exercises). Then, as this format was transferred to Biblical scholars they themselves gained new insight into the scriptures by this method of interpreting dramatic Biblical books as "Act"s as in a single play.

Epic is a great title for a book about the stories of heroes and our lives. Excellent! ( )

One of the most inspiring things I've read. Nice and short and sweet. ( )