Story Theology: Exploring Themes of the Gospel through Stories
Ebook
We understand who we are and the world we live in only because of story. Without story, it is impossible to define our identity, meaning, purpose, or action. The Bible, after all, is a story--it begins with Alpha and ends with Omega. It is God's story--the story of everything. By it, we learn how the Christian story is not a piece of a larger story but claims to be the story in which other stories find their place.
To answer the most fundamental questions about who we are and the world we live in, we must use a story.
From a mother who visits her son on death row, to a disillusioned man questioning suicide, to a family experiencing the hope and hardship of a premature baby, this book explores ten central themes of the gospel--steadfast love, sin, faith, holiness, joy, goodness, hope, compassion, forgiveness, and peace--in story form.
An interpretation of each story follows in a section where careful analysis sheds light on each biblical theme. By using storytelling to communicate theological truth, this work provides a unique resource for theological reflection that's helpful for anyone willing to step into a story.
“J. A. Kays takes us on a journey of the Spirit. His storytelling is poignant and moved me to the core as he deftly exhibits the qualities of God as they play out in everyday human life. This is a superb resource for preachers, seminarians, or anyone who wants to see what God’s love looks like in action. Each story is a down-to-earth and heart-warming reminder of what it means to be Christian.”
—Charla Belinski, associate pastor, Snowmass Chapel
“J. A. Kays is a master storyteller! Steadfast love, forgiveness, compassion—these are all themes Kays explores through creative storytelling in Story Theology. His literary prowess animates the virtues of our faith. I can imagine these stories being woven into sermons by preachers of all stripes for decades to come.”
—Jeremy K. Everett, executive director, Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty
“Story Theology is vivid, captivating, and as real as it gets for the modern reader! Kays bridges the ancient text of Scripture to everyday life in a way that awakens the soul and touches the heart. Story Theology demonstrates that God does not live in a religious box but in the everyday stuff of life.”
—David Choi, pastor of multiplication, Northshore Community Church
- Title: Story Theology: Exploring Themes of the Gospel through Stories
- Author: J. A. Kays
- Publisher: Resource Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666738940, 9781666738926, 1666738921, 9781666738933, 166673893X, 1666738948
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666738940
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-02T10:16:37Z
J. A. Kays is a teaching pastor at Journey the Church in Camarillo, California. He has a DMin from Duke Divinity School and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.