Epic: The Story God Is Telling and the Role That Is Yours to Play (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "In the beginning . . ." or "Once upon a time . . ." It's a wonderful phrase, isn't it, full of legend and myth,..." (more)
Key Phrases: Act Three, Jesus of Nazareth, Middle Earth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What if you were a character in the most fantastic tale ever told? Eldredge (Wild at Heart), a counselor, rearranges and condenses themes found in his book Waking the Dead while adding Epic to the growing list of evangelical Christian books that explain human history as a narrative and God as its author. Eldredge tells the story in four parts: Eternal Love (a personal God creating a personal universe); The Entrance of Evil (Satan the villain); The Battle for the Heart (God's calling humans to love him), and The Kingdom Is Restored (God, through Christ, makes all things new). As in past books, Eldredge illuminates scripture using movies (Braveheart, Apollo 13 and The Last of the Mohicans) and literature, including Yeats, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia. The examples work well, with the exception of the character Jack in Titanic; considering that character's seduction of an engaged woman, Eldredge's extensive comparison of his sacrifice to Christ's may rankle some evangelical readers. Eldredge does, however, go out of his way to emphasize hell—a rarity among evangelical writers. This brief primer adds little to what is becoming a shopworn analogy for the Christian message, but it is easily understood and powerful at times, especially when expressing the human longing for a happy ending.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

We don't usually identify with the author of a great story. Instead we bond with the hero and heroine--the ones that the story is about. We share in their heartaches and triumphs. We cheer their accomplishments and mourn their losses.

When we think about our own story, we may see God as the author--an omniscient and omnipotent cosmic mastermind--but fail to recognize Him as the central character. In Epic, a retelling of the gospel in four acts, John Eldredge invites us to revisit the drama of life, viewing God not only as the author but also as the lead actor, exploring His motives and His heart. Eldredge examines the power of story, the universal longing for a plot that makes sense deep inside us, our desire for a meaningful role to play, our love of books and movies, and how all of this points us to the gospel itself.

It's a story better than any fairy tale! Our human hearts are made for great drama, and the gospel, with its tragedy and grandeur, truly is epic. Also available as an unabridged audio on CD, as well as hardcover Spanish edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; First Edition edition (September 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785265317
• ISBN-13: 978-0785265313
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theologically Sound, Culturally Relevant, October 9, 2004

By	David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've read a few of the other reviews here, a couple of which claim Eldredge is weak on the doctrine of the sinfulness of man. I've read this book now, as well as his other titles. I just don't see that problem with his writings. He does speak of the depravity of man, and how Christ is our only hope.

I admire how Eldredge takes the Christian message and makes it so culturally relevant. He doesn't change the content of the message, only the way in which it is conveyed. He uses life experiences with which most people can identify. He also is obviously a movie buff, using many scenes from Hollywood classics to illustrate his points.

Eldredge doesn't offer lofty theology, nor does he offer nuts and bolts advice on Christian living. He falls somewhere in the middle of the two, communicating timeless spiritual truths to the heart. I enjoy his work, and recommend it to any Christian who wants a bit of refreshment in his/her devotional life.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book and a great tool, September 27, 2004

By	Christopher Beard "I...review...huh?" (Hobbiton, Shire, Middle Earth) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book Epic by John Eldridge portrays a wonderful message for both believers and non-believers. We are in the midst of a grand story. Our sufferings on earth are not idly received. Eldridge refutes his points very effectively through both Bible verses and quotes from popular stories, eg. The Chronicles of Narnia (of which I am a huge fan), Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, the list goes on. I believe that he quotes Lewis the most and how could you go wrong when quoting the works of C.S. Lewis who wrote as a devout Christian with great messages in his works. This is a book that helps you stop and realize some things about the life we live, and provides a lot to think about throughout the day. And anything that causes us to think about the things of God during the day is a good thing in my book. I love this book because it reminds us of the reason we're here, the battle we must fight, and the reason we fight it. Read this book and the rest of Eldridge's work.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brought Tears to my Eyes, January 25, 2005

By	James John Hollandsworth, M.D. "lightalongthe... - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Ok, so a lot of books bring tears to my eyes, but it seemed the best way to describe Eldredge's latest book. It is so easy to get mired down in the hassles and headaches of daily living, and Eldredge lifts up our eyes to the much bigger story, the Epic that God has been writing since time began. No, it won't win any awards on brilliance of systematic theology, but it is beautiful, inspiring, highly recommended devotional reading.