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God Enters Stage Left
"A fresh, front row view to an ancient faith. The grand story of the Bible is narrated as a six act play, shining a light on an irreligious plotline that is all too often misunderstood. Spoiler alert: this story may deliver a plot twist that could change your life." (From the back cover.)
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 29, 2013
In a word: brilliant. In the first few chapters, I was worried that this jaunt through the Bible narrative would be overly kind - a kind of evangelistic whitewashing of the very difficult and disturbing stories of Scripture. However, it soon became apparent that Day was doing two things: 1) making the narrative arc of our 66-book-long divine rescue accessible and easy to understand, and 2) introducing us to and inviting us to engage with polarizing concepts like sacrifice, hell, war, oppression, and the like.
Read this book. Then give it to someone. Anyone. Because here is a rare gem - a thoughtful yarn for both the believer and the skeptic alike.
Read this book. Then give it to someone. Anyone. Because here is a rare gem - a thoughtful yarn for both the believer and the skeptic alike.
January 4, 2014
I was determined to start and finish this book over the Christmas season and finally succeeded by waking up at 4:00 this morning. Once I started reading, I could not stop because this simple synopsis of the Bible, and what it means for us deeply resonated with me.
Although the Old Testament has always been awe-inspiring, and I have always recognized it as pointing toward Christ, its violent contents have always left me squirming uncomfortably. Day grapples honestly with this concern as well as others, and confirms something that has dawned on me as of late, that all along God is working with us, where we are, even when we are a mess, so that even in the earliest childhood of our human history, God has patiently awaited our evolvement and maturity. The Bible provides an honest history of human weakness in negotiating our relationship with God. Tim Day explains it this way, "When my children were young, I would get down on the floor to play with them. I talk to them about stuff that interests them and use words they understand...Does it not make sense that God would have the same parent's heart and, out of love,relate to us right where we are?"(118-119), and this makes sense to me, especially in the past few years when I have reoriented a faith centred on painstakingly correct belief, to one centred on love and community. We can know our faith to the letter without really living it, yet God is still with us.
It may seem irreverent to view God as "friend" as Tim Day often refers to Him,but for me, it inspires awe, because this God is the only one that can blow my mind. A God who humbles himself to the level of creation to teach us how to love others through His example, for me, trumps all other concepts of the divine.
Although the Old Testament has always been awe-inspiring, and I have always recognized it as pointing toward Christ, its violent contents have always left me squirming uncomfortably. Day grapples honestly with this concern as well as others, and confirms something that has dawned on me as of late, that all along God is working with us, where we are, even when we are a mess, so that even in the earliest childhood of our human history, God has patiently awaited our evolvement and maturity. The Bible provides an honest history of human weakness in negotiating our relationship with God. Tim Day explains it this way, "When my children were young, I would get down on the floor to play with them. I talk to them about stuff that interests them and use words they understand...Does it not make sense that God would have the same parent's heart and, out of love,relate to us right where we are?"(118-119), and this makes sense to me, especially in the past few years when I have reoriented a faith centred on painstakingly correct belief, to one centred on love and community. We can know our faith to the letter without really living it, yet God is still with us.
It may seem irreverent to view God as "friend" as Tim Day often refers to Him,but for me, it inspires awe, because this God is the only one that can blow my mind. A God who humbles himself to the level of creation to teach us how to love others through His example, for me, trumps all other concepts of the divine.
June 2, 2019
This is a fun little book. Looking at the story of the Bible as an unfolding drama in six acts, Tim Day, explores perfection, our broken humanity, our struggle to rekindle this severed relationship with God, the birth of a new community, Christianity gone to far (Christendom/Crusades), and the ongoing renewal of the New Heavens and New Earth. Each chapter skillfully depicts the message behind the act and then goes into a bit of practical commentary. It is not a theologically heavy book, but it is a quick read and would be good for anyone new to the Christian faith. I enjoyed reading this book. I couldn't put it down.
February 16, 2017
My church used this for a small group discussion guide over the past few months. I found it to be a mixed bag. On the positive side, I thought the overview of the Bible story was clear and concise. I also enjoyed how Day carried the story on into the history of the church. On the negative side, it seemed too shallow. Of course, I read a lot of books and have a seminary degree so maybe it is not geared towards me. But most people in our small group said the book did not hold their attention, agreeing that it was too simplistic. My other main negative is how he builds up religion as the bogeyman, the great evil to be overcome. To some degree I get the whole "Jesus vs. religion" idea and think there is an important message there as many people just go by the religious motions year after year. But the problem as "religion" period seems misplaced. Jesus practiced religion, so too did the disciples. To some degree, religion is unavoidable. The question is whether we make religion the end or the means to an end. Finally, there was a bit too much, "church history has mostly gotten it wrong, now I am going to tell you what they all missed." This was toned down from other works in this arena I've read, but it was still there. The truth is, someone will look back one day and point out all we got wrong too. All that said, I think there is still value in this book as it does summarize the story and give us a good portrayal of Jesus.
December 28, 2013
I definitely could push this to a 5 star depending on the audience, but for me it was a solid 4. Day essentially seeks to accomplish two things in this book: (1) tell the overarching storyline of the Bible, and (2) show us the irreligious nature of the Bible when viewed as a whole. My only issue, and I do consider it a minor one, is that he pretty much always conflated the two. I felt like it sometimes left out a broader vision of the Kingdom than just being on good terms with God without religious doctrinal requirements, rules, rituals, and routines.
In short, much like Bruxy Cavey of the same church's book The End of Religion, I would very highly recommend it to those who have been turned off by institutionalized religion but are still curious about the Christian story. I would also recommend for those who love institutionalized religion to the point where it may become an idol for them. For those audiences - very large ones - this is a very important message. I would not recommend it, however, for those who are looking for a more comprehensive look at the message of Scripture; for that group I would put The Drama of Scripture by Bartholomew and Goheen or pretty much anything by N.T. Wright as better resources.
In short, much like Bruxy Cavey of the same church's book The End of Religion, I would very highly recommend it to those who have been turned off by institutionalized religion but are still curious about the Christian story. I would also recommend for those who love institutionalized religion to the point where it may become an idol for them. For those audiences - very large ones - this is a very important message. I would not recommend it, however, for those who are looking for a more comprehensive look at the message of Scripture; for that group I would put The Drama of Scripture by Bartholomew and Goheen or pretty much anything by N.T. Wright as better resources.
December 27, 2014
This is a well written book that feels a bit like an extended sermon. While there was nothing revolutionary in it for me, it does a good job of giving people an overview of Jesus focused Christianity in simple language. I would recommend this book to anyone unfamiliar with the bible and church history.
May 19, 2014
Tim is the lead pastor at The Meeting Place. Enjoyed the book generally. He's big on staying away from viewing Christianity as a religion and I'm on track with him there. It is the relationship with Jesus that counts.However, I don't think it is of the quality to give away to seekers.
January 7, 2014
Loved this book - makes perfect sense, and is written in a conversational tone. I am going to read it again, often, and with sticky notes and a highlighter!
July 17, 2014
I didn't finish it, too basic and I couldn't keep up an interest in it... good for those seeking Biblical truths and history.
April 28, 2016
Really cool look into the story of the bible and who God is. If the bible seems intimidating, read this book!
April 5, 2014
One of the best books I have ever read! So happy I decided to read this book!
March 10, 2018
What God wants is an irreligious faith, a close relationship with Him. The author made a good point that we are usually like the older brother in the prodigal son story, judging others and feeling we have done all the right things. How many times have I done devotion or gone to church just to fulfill a duty and to check a task off, but my heart could be furthest away from God. Following Jesus also has nothing to do with having the correct theological stance either. Let us really open our heart to what Jesus really said and let us not misunderstand the new ethics he has proposed: the ethics of love.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews