Robert Webber, in what I think will be his last book -- I thought his previous one was!, applies his classic narrative understanding of Christian theology to two crises before us: the threat of radical Islam and Christian accommodation to culture. I like the title and the easy-to-read approach of this book:
Who Gets to Narrate the World?
For you Webber buffs, which is your favorite book of his? (Here is a link to Webber's books: Robert Webber on Amazon
Few today recognize the significance of the stories we keep telling ourselves, the stories that we tell ourselves to make sense of what we see. It is true, and Webber's use of Samuel Huntington's famous The Clash of Civilizations
Here he applies his classic story: creation, fall, incarnation, re-creation, consummation.
This was Bob Webber's last book; it puts together all of his thinking but there are two major disinctions of this small, readable book: first, he applies narrative theology to the world in which we live, the world in which the story of radical Islam poses a threat; second, this book traces how the "story" was understood in the early church, how it was lost, and how it needs to be regained.
I highly recommend this book, not only as a quick access to Webber's seminal ideas, but as a study worth using in small groups.
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Scot
Robert Webber influenced my philosophy of worship more than any other author. While I am still involved in the evangelical church world (I currently serve as a military chaplain), I've been on the Canterbury Trail for some years now. "Worship is a Verb" is still my favorite book.
Derek, I never got the impression Bob was stuck in the 4th century. Bob was a pioneer of blended worship. I still dream of a church that incorporates freedom of the Spirit within the order of Word and Table.
Since my current position puts me directly in the path of the "Clash of Civilizations" I am eager to read Bob's final book. Scot, will you be running a discussion on the book?
Jerry
'Canterbury Trail' for sure. Webber was a prophetic voice in my world when I thought anything older than 1980 was suspect. :) And now I'm married to an Episcopal priest. So there you go!
:)
Steph
"Ancient-Future Faith" is the only complete book of Webber's I've read, but its discussion of paradigms and church history was extremely helpful for me. It gave me a frame of reference with history that no other book discussing church history has been able to do. It helped me see all the good things about the church in every age. It took the shutters off the windows in a way that enabled me to get a look at the "church fathers" I had not seen before.
Dana
Thanks Scot. I have been anticipating this book for quite some time. I knew Bob was trying hard to complete it before going home. Better than any book of his I read was simply sitting at his feet at Northern for his trilogy of worship courses. This was the best thing that happened to me in my three years of seminary, most of which was completed at TEDS. (If anyone is still in seminary, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS)). As a worship pastor, I have taken and run with so much of what I learned under him, especially (elements of) his blended worship model, in practice, and Trinitarian worship, theologically, that have revolutionized the way our church worships.
Love what you do, Scot. Long-time reader, first comment. By the way, Bob could not stop talking about this book as he was thinking through it. He kept referring to God as the "Cosmic Narrator" of the universe. I forget who he was quoting, but Bob frequently referred to the God Story as "the best damn story ever." That was Bob, and I loved him.
One more thing, I loved what Bob had to say about God being the "Great Subject" of the story, and instead of us, the church, particularly the Contemporary Church, trying to fit God into our own stories, we ought to be searching for our place in His story. God gets to narrate the world.
That's all.
Just read the book--Bob's forthrightness is wonderful.
Highly recommended!
Jerry
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