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 is but one alarm that has been sounded. However you understand the rise of radical Islam, whatever story you tell to make sense of it, Webber suggests an alternative.
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.