Customer Reviews

Epic: The Story God Is Telling

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eldredge begins this book with a quote from Chesterton: "I had always felt life first as a story--and if there is a story there is a story teller." With that as the backdrop, Eldredge claims that far too many Christians have lost their story, lost the narrative that gives meaning and purpose to their lives - and without the storyline, they are relegated to a role behind stage, out of the limelight of life, destined for insignificance and mediocrity. Eldredge claims that a life of mediocrity is not why God sent His only Son to die for mankind - there must be something more...there is something more!

In a book that feels like you're reading The Chronicles of Narnia, The Epic is a dive into the land of enchantment and mystery where there is a battle and you are a warrior. Eldredge paints the picture for the reader that the great cosmic struggle of the day is actually centered around each person - a battle for their heart and their mind - and, claims Eldredge, too many followers of Christ are relegated to sitting on the sidelines watching as others engage for the cause of Christ. For John Eldredge, the sidelines of life might was well be hell itself - clearly no place for the follower of Jesus Christ, a man of passion, a man of purpose, a man whose life bubbled over with meaning and transcendence - and if He is our model, what should the life of those who claim to be His follower look like? Nothing less, says Eldredge.

The Epic is a great read, very encouraging and powerful, but not for the faint of heart and not for the theologian looking for a biblical discourse on a particular doctrine - it is a book from the heart for the heart.

The reviews on Epic are overwhelmingly positive. The book does have a number of good points, and is written with much passion. It's quite short as well, but moves along quickly. The author makes a number of very interesting analogies, drawing from Tolkien, Braveheart and other books and movies. Eldredge definitely has a unique style. As such, it's quite likely you will either love this book or find it so hard to relate to that you can barely make it through despite the length (which was my reaction, nothing against the author). If you've liked other books by Eldredge such as Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul you'll probably like Epic. If you didn't like Wild at Heart, your opinion of the author won't change with Epic. If you haven't read anything by him, Epic is probably a great place to start.

Someone who heard of my searchings regularily advised me to try reading some of Eldridge's books... boy were they on the ball!

I read Desire first, then Epic and I'm now about to Wake the Dead... but I believe that Epic is the book that composes of Eldridge's World View.

A part of me wishes it was longer - but as a manifesto, its a good length and a book that is easy to lend around.

Taking the cue from Josesph Cambell's theory of the hero's journey, Eldridge shows us that behind our desires is the God who is the knightly king on the white horse. The hero, the king, the saviour, even the king in disguise. Our longing for adventure, trials and triumph are the call to join into this massive tale of paradise lost, found and restored.

Being a novice writer and budding theologian, I loved the story of existance and how it fits with the God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

When someone really wants to know where my own faith journey is right now - I can use this book to tell them.

Fantastic at any price!

I read and reviewed several of Elderidge's books. I like his writing style and approach to the gospel story. He adeptly draws readers into God's story and shows how we find our true story in his story. Elderidge loves movies and novels and uses text or scripts from many of them to highlight the appeal of stories to us, especially the stories of journeys, challenges, rescues, heroes and returning home. Elderidge promotes a high view of Scripture and salvation through Jesus Christ alone. He emphasizes God's love for sinners and the sacrifice of Jesus to rescue us.

My problem with this book is that I have read it all before in Elderidge's other books. This won't be a problem for readers new to Elderidge, but for others this is more of the same references and quotes to Narnia, Gladiator, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, etc., and unfortunately to Titanic.

I think the book also lacks the emphasis on the way of the cross and the uniqueness of Jesus. There truly is no story that is comparable or analogical to Jesus Christ Crucified. It stands alone. I think Elderidge fails to identify the cross as the necessity. By approaching God in all of the different modes that he does, Elderidge risks being and creating what Luther would call Theologians of Glory rather than Theologians of the Cross.

This book helps the reader to see the whole story of what life is really about and what we are truly living for. This, in turn, instates purpose and excitement in everyday life. If you feel drained and wish there was something more to live for, then check out Epic.

Rising With The Son: A Diary Of A Growing Soul

There is a larger story. John's epic tale of our own story as told in the gospels in a valuable tool for a clear and revealing understanding of why life is so darn hard! Biblically sound and written with a heart for the Lord, this is a great give away book for people who have lost trust in the Lord or curious about the Christian walk.

John's insight is clear and fresh and he delivers another home run with this short book. I recommend you go to his website and roll out the entire curriculum he offers in the DVD and workbooks! Go for it, and take your place in the battle.

I had been familiar with John Eldredge's work but had yet to completely read one of his books. We had heard about this book and decided to use it as our next study for our church's small group. The tale he unravels is nothing new, but the way he presents it is completely new and refreshing.

As one of the members of our group said after one of the studies, "If someone had shared the gospel with me like that as a kid, I would have completely understood."

A great book, a short read, but the impact to your life could be eternal in benefit.

It's obvious early on that this book is heavily influenced by Buechner, and indeed Buechner is quoted throughout and even the final quote is his (from "Telling the Truth"). I adore Buechner's work, but Eldredge is no Buechner. This is my first introduction to Eldredge and I admit I had a very difficult time finishing this book. He makes his point early on, that the story of God's relationship with his created beings shares many elements of our own story telling, both our personal story and our cinematic tales, but then he spends chapters and chapters basically just re-telling that point. It's not brain surgery - the concept doesn't rate an entire book. A sermon maybe, an essay, but a full book to make that point? No.

Theologically I have no problems with this book, I know some reviewers took extreme exception to the comparison of movies to Biblical concepts, but there's nothing unsound in here if you can read it with an open mind.

I know there are people who revere Eldredge and to be fair I'm going to give him another shot by reading one of his other books. But this one is not a good introduction.

We are currently reading this as part of a book study at church. This involves reading a chapter a week, writing about it a companion Epic study guide, and viewing associated chapters on the DVD during the study. What becomes painfully apparent right away is that the book functions as a script for the DVD (often verbatim) and the study guide is just a highlight reprint of the book with poignant questions. Once you get beyond the odd dilution of the book through multiple presentations, it actually raises some interesting points and is a good easy read.

We learned about this in one of our Sunday School classes. As marketing and management professors, we've always been story tellers, and always encouraged our students to share their stories. This is for all of us who want to learn their role in the Greater Story, and how we can contribute to its ongoing development and fulfillment.

If you feel like you belong to someone, and to larger community that loves you and wants to hold you up, this short book is wonderful reminder that your feeling is justified, and waiting to be fulfilled. Once you read this book, you'll want to start sharing your story with others to get involved in the larger story-making that we all belong to.