Narrative Apologetics: Sharing the Relevance, Joy, and Wonder of the Christian Faith

by Alister McGrath

Publisher:

Baker

, 2019

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. It's no surprise that God would choose to reveal himself to us in story--after all, he hardwired us for story. Despite this, we so often attempt to share our faith with others not through story but through systems, arguments, and talking points--methods that appeal only to our mind and neglect our imagination and our emotions.

In this groundbreaking book, scholar and author Alister McGrath lays a foundation for narrative apologetics. Exploring four major biblical narratives, enduring stories from our culture such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, and personal narratives from people such as Augustine of Hippo and Chuck Colson, McGrath shows how we can both understand and share our faith in terms of story.

From the Back Cover

"This is a must-read for all who want to show others how the gospel of Jesus Christ addresses the deepest hopes and fears of the human condition."--Richard Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary

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.


"A compelling call to resist a reductionist rationality and to enter into the 'imaginative embrace' of the Christian faith. Read this book to be envisioned again about the expansiveness of the Christian story and to be given practical insight into how we might 'out-narrate' the stories of our cultures with the better story of Christ."--Dr. Tanya Walker, dean, Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics


Alister E. McGrath is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University and director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion. He holds Oxford doctorates in the natural sciences, intellectual history, and Christian theology. McGrath has written extensively on the interaction of science and Christian theology and is the author of many books, including Mere Discipleship, Mere Apologetics, and the award-winning C. S. Lewis--A Life.

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Product Details

• Title: Narrative Apologetics: Sharing the Relevance, Joy, and Wonder of the Christian Faith
• Author: Alister McGrath
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2019
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781493419241, 1493419242
• Resource ID: LLS:9781493419241
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T07:19:01Z

About Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath (Ph.D.) is a scholar and writer who is presently Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. After his initial studies in natural science at Oxford, taking a doctorate in molecular biophysics under the supervision of Prof Sir George Radda, McGrath moved into the field of Christian theology. He was Oxford’s Professor of Historical Theology from 1999 to 2008. He then moved to King’s College London as Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education, before returning to Oxford as Idreos Professor in 2014. He also served as Gresham Professor of Divinity, a position established in 1597, from 2015-18. He retired in September 2022.

He is best known for his definitive and widely used textbooks on Christian theology and his authoritative biography of C. S. Lewis. As a former atheist, McGrath is fascinated by the interaction of faith, science, and atheism, and writes regularly on these themes. McGrath was born in Belfast in 1953, and holds both Irish and British citizenship. He lives in the Cotswolds near Oxford.

For McGrath’s website, including details of his weekly Youtube postings and videos helping you use his theology textbooks, go to alistermcgrath.net