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The Story That Makes Sense Of Our Stories: Genesis 1-11
The most basic and natural way we seek to understand who we are, where we are, what is wrong with us (especially why we die), and how we can be restored is by telling stories. Every culture in every era in every part of the world has a story or stories by which people navigate the mystery of being human on earth. In this series of expositions, Darrell Johnson suggests that the first eleven chapters of Genesis (what he and others maintain constitute the “first half ” of the Bible) help make sense of all our other stories, for they speak to the fundamental questions we ask in every age. When we inhabit the story (stories) of Genesis 1–11, Johnson further suggests, we come to realize just how good the good news of Jesus Christ is in the “second half ” of the Bible.
204 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
About the author
Darrell W. Johnson
28 books65 followersDarrell W. Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada.
He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver.
He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation.
He is currently serving as a pastor at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network.
He and his wife Sharon have been married over 50 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving 11 active grandchildren!
He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver.
He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation.
He is currently serving as a pastor at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network.
He and his wife Sharon have been married over 50 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving 11 active grandchildren!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 5, 2024
I have only read one of Darryl Johnsons books before, but have listened to a number of his sermons, so I expected to enjoy this one, which I did. It is a relatively short book, aimed at accompanying discussion groups, and I would have enjoyed it if it was longer, which it no doubt could have been. But if this means that more people can engage with this part of the Bible, short is good.
The book coincided nicely with some podcasts I’ve been listening to which explore the early chapters of Genesis, diving into the cultural and historical context to get at the strangeness that these stories represent to a modern western mind. Darryl Johnson engages with the strangeness with relatively direct explanations of the text, and in some cases leaves questions (some of mine at least) unanswered. Again, I think this is an efficiency thing as there is more to explore than could be easily covered in a smallish book.
The importance of the first 11 chapters of the Bible was postulated and demonstrated, hence the title ‘Story that explains our story’. Some of the ideas were woven into sermons I’d heard him preach, such as the path of temptation that played out with Eve and Adam. The explanation of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil was excellent – the very fact we struggle with this part of the story at the heart of how sin gets a hold of the human heart. The part that left me with more questions was the section on the tower of babel, which I will aim to dig into further through other means.
I don’t know how available this book is in Australia, but very much recommended, perhaps via Kindle if the paper version is a bit pricey. I am left wondering whether books like this would also moderate some of the concerns doubters of the Christian faith have. At the very least, I think it demonstrates that these are not silly ‘just so’ stories, rather, immaculately structured pieces of writing which have much to say about the human condition, even if one doesn’t agree with the overall theology. Worth a look.
The book coincided nicely with some podcasts I’ve been listening to which explore the early chapters of Genesis, diving into the cultural and historical context to get at the strangeness that these stories represent to a modern western mind. Darryl Johnson engages with the strangeness with relatively direct explanations of the text, and in some cases leaves questions (some of mine at least) unanswered. Again, I think this is an efficiency thing as there is more to explore than could be easily covered in a smallish book.
The importance of the first 11 chapters of the Bible was postulated and demonstrated, hence the title ‘Story that explains our story’. Some of the ideas were woven into sermons I’d heard him preach, such as the path of temptation that played out with Eve and Adam. The explanation of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil was excellent – the very fact we struggle with this part of the story at the heart of how sin gets a hold of the human heart. The part that left me with more questions was the section on the tower of babel, which I will aim to dig into further through other means.
I don’t know how available this book is in Australia, but very much recommended, perhaps via Kindle if the paper version is a bit pricey. I am left wondering whether books like this would also moderate some of the concerns doubters of the Christian faith have. At the very least, I think it demonstrates that these are not silly ‘just so’ stories, rather, immaculately structured pieces of writing which have much to say about the human condition, even if one doesn’t agree with the overall theology. Worth a look.
July 15, 2024
Been a minute since I’ve uploaded a review. This is a great read. I’ve been on a Darell Johnson kick lately. In this book he talks about how the Bible is in to acts and no it’s not old and New Testament but Genesis 1-11 and then Genesis 12-revelations. The key to understanding our story as humanity is in the first act Genesis 1-11 and i thoroughly enjoyed this easy but deeply informative book.
1. “The most important role of the stories in Genesis 1-11 is to help us realize why we need a savior and what the Savior comes to do.”
2. “God has made us to be his representatives in his creation, a kind of visible expression of an invisible reality.”
3. Genesis 3:8-24 has to be one of the saddest stories ever told. And rightly so, for in this story we are reading about the collapsing of Gods good world.”
4. “ the biblical genealogies teach us two things: the nature of history and the value of individuals.”
5. “The story repeats the same cycle: grace, rebellion, judgement, new grace. God comes in grace.”
Really loved this short but deeply profound read. Highly reccomend to any layperson in the church. 10/10 read.
1. “The most important role of the stories in Genesis 1-11 is to help us realize why we need a savior and what the Savior comes to do.”
2. “God has made us to be his representatives in his creation, a kind of visible expression of an invisible reality.”
3. Genesis 3:8-24 has to be one of the saddest stories ever told. And rightly so, for in this story we are reading about the collapsing of Gods good world.”
4. “ the biblical genealogies teach us two things: the nature of history and the value of individuals.”
5. “The story repeats the same cycle: grace, rebellion, judgement, new grace. God comes in grace.”
Really loved this short but deeply profound read. Highly reccomend to any layperson in the church. 10/10 read.
April 17, 2019
Another well written and provocative book by Darrell Johnson, unpacking some of the best known stories in Genesis (the Creation, the temptation and fall, Cain and Abel, the genealogies, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. Jonson delivers a very clear analysis and shows there is so much more at work in each of these "stories". Of great revelation to me was his tying our creation by God with the need for us to have relationship with each of God (the creator), our self (being comfortable in who we are), with others (fellow creatures equally loved by God and therefore we should as well), and with the Earth (God's creation, where we should be stewards/gardeners in trust). All a question of not going beyond the borders of our competence, and within God's plan for our best. An amazing amount of contentment and peace flow from realizing and accepting the foregoing. Johnson has packed in so much in so small a book--highly recommend this one.
June 11, 2025
Really easy to read but jam packed of great info on Genesis 1-11 and why that story is our story
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews