It's a how-to manual. Seven Stories helps readers work through the drama of redemption about the great story of how God in Christ unmasks, challenges and subverts the myth of redemptive violence in our religions and our cultures. It shows us a way forward to a nonviolent reading of Scripture and practice in our lives and world. To those who recognize the voice of Rene Girard here, well done. Bartlett is one of the masters of integrating the gospel and Girard for the 21st century.
The study begins with "method" but quickly works toward reading the narratives of Scripture that point toward the nonviolent redemption God is working in Israel and supremely in Jesus.
This is a resource that small groups in church school settings should use and re-use every year, but it is also suited for personal study, too.
This is not a book to be missed!
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.