Remember and Rehearse: An Invitation to Participate in God's Story

by J.T. English

Stories are powerful. Few things on earth rival the power of stories. Humans are captured by stories, we are entertained by stories, and we live in stories. But it's not enough to simply recognize that stories are powerful. We have to recognize that the power of stories can orient us to what is true, good and beautiful. And if they have this power, they also have the power to disorient us from what is true, good and beautiful. It all depends on the story itself.

There is one true story that you are invited to live in—the story of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is one true story that invites us to know and love God. But you can't live in a story you don't know. Remember and Rehearse will help readers understand the whole story of Scripture. Knowing the true, good story of God combats the false stories the world tells. Through the big movements of creation, fall, the covenants, Christ, the Spirit and the Church, and the Kingdom without end, readers will discover the unfolding drama of God's Kingdom coming to earth and how each of us are invited to be participants.

In this book, you’ll The false stories the world tells us The true and better story of the complete narrative of Scripture How you are part of that story
We are a forgetful people, but God has given us His Word so that we may remember and rehearse.
 

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Church

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

J. T. English, PhD, is an author and teacher, and currently serves as the lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, CO. Previously, JT served as a pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX, where he founded and directed The Village Church Institute, which is committed to theological education in the local church. He received his ThM in Historical Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and PhD in Systematic Theology from Southern Seminary. He is married to Macy English, and they have two children, Thomas and Bailey.

Reviews

[Colter Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want everyone to read this book - not because it's perfect, but because it provides an introduction to the Kingdom of God as the primary framework for understanding the whole story of scripture.

[Danny Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of this book is a five star book- I love the way English explores the idea of every person being a ‘storied creature’, I.e lives within a narrative of what the good life is, where history is going, and how to live towards that end. I also felt like English excelled in describing some of the most prevalent false stories people live in (consumerism, individualism, politicalism, etc) as well as the true story (the Kingdom of God) in a way that was both understandable and helpful.

The last two thirds of this book felt more like a 3.5-4 star book. Still well written and helpful, but less creative and compelling. Some of that might just be due to me reading several other books like this, making the information feel less new or fresh.

Still this is a book that I would highly recommend to someone who doesn’t understand the story of Scripture, but desires to know how to read their Bible. English writes in an extremely accessible way, which makes it easy to recommend.

[James Brixey]

A fantastic Bible overview

the best part was where our author noted that Adam was made of dirt, became flesh but returned to dirt, but Jesus was made of flesh, was put in the dirt and was made flesh again

[teddyreadingstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, a good book and true, but just not for me in my current stage of life necessarily!

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid overview of the storyline of Scripture. I think this book would be especially fruitful for those completing or beginning a Bible-in-a-timeframe plan.

[Charles Hirschy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that every Western Christian needs to read. You will find yourself being reminded in each chapter of the one true story that we are invited to participate in, and hopefully find that you are encouraged to embrace more and more the story of the kingdom of God that is to come, and you will want to invite everyone else in because it's just so good!

This would also be a helpful tool for Church leaders to disciple their people.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent guide to understanding the grand narrative of the story of scripture in light of God’s kingdom. English traces the themes of God’s presence, people, place, and purpose from Genesis to Revelation in a way that can be committed to memory and used to share the story of the Bible with others. There is good biblical theology at work throughout the book.

The book grabbed me from the beginning as it examined the false stories we live in. Then this continued throughout as the true story of the kingdom was presented with an invitation to live out our place in God’s story.

I particularly appreciated his chapter on the covenant in exile as he traced the theme of exile through scripture and God’s purposes at the end of the OT story.

The greatest highlight for me was the NT section where he described the cross as the enthronement and coronation of the King. Amazing!

[Brice Karickhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I’ve said this 5 times, but reading books written by hosts of Knowing Faith is always just a little dull for me because I’ve already heard them say their part on each of these topics via podcast. Nonetheless, I often give them five stars bc they’re just so instructive and accessible.

I think this book effectively covers the biblical metanarrative without overindulging in academic or contentious dialogue. If you read its description and see anything new to you, I’d recommend reading this book, especially if you struggle to place the significance and context of particular books in the Bible.

It took me 13 years of reading the Bible to realize that 5-10 chapters kind of provide a backbone for interpreting entire collections of books that seem otherwise fragmented.

[Ellen Przybyszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Human beings are shaped by stories. Our stories shape our imagination, our deepest hopes and longings, our fears and anxieties, the way we want to be treated, the way we treat other people, and what we think about God and life and reality. The goal of this book is to help you live in the true story"

"To become faithful participants in the storyline of the Bible, we both look back in remembrance and look forward in rehearsal"

"The story of the Bible is the story of God establishing His kingdom on earth... the Bible is all about the kingdom established, lost, promised, and re-established."

"The kingdom of God is about God establishing His presence with His people in His place as they live out His purposes"

[Rachel Menke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. While I’ve long been a fan of Vaughn Roberts’ “God’s Big Picture” which has a similar premise I found “Remember and Rehearse” took this idea and better applied it to the life of the Christian. This will definitely be a book I’ll be recommending to others as well as using as a discipleship tool.

*Side Note: this book could’ve benefitted from a better editor as I found several typos. Hopefully this will be remedied in future editions

[Jake Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful and accessible overview of the biblical storyline. I appreciated the opening chapters and how J.T. outlined the many false stories we live into and how those stories conflict with the biblical story. This book would be very helpful in the context of a community group and/or church classroom setting.

[Davis Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought this was an incredibly beneficial book! most of it wasn't particularly new information to me, and yet it was still so helpful to read such an intentional summary of the storyline of the Bible.

super accessible for a book that summarizes the whole Bible with a lot of depth and clarity in around 200 pages. will definitely be recommending this down the road

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this is a basic intro to covenant theology. This would be perfect for college kids or new converts (I think his intended audience). It was easy to read, clear, biblical, helpful, and applicable.

[Brooks]

Ironically this book reminded me of historical context within scripture that made some Old Testament stories very profound. Enjoyable read and a good reminder of the single story that is repeated throughout scripture.

[David King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct without losing anything of its intended topic

[Charles Wetesnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book and I recommend it but I liked the book “You are a Theologian “ better…. ;-)

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our greatest hope is not in death. Our greatest hope is in the death of death." 1:34

[Jennifer Bohnke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. A great introduction to our place in God’s story.

[Shannon Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a class at church and really learned so much! I loved looking at all the different covenants God made with his people and how they became fulfilled through Christ.

[Claire Breedlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the covenants and the importance of remembering the promises of God. A good bit of harder to understand material that English explains very clearly!