In the Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts: Story Theology

by CS Song

Overview

According to Song, the Christian faith is deeply rooted in storytelling: stories are the most basic mode of human communication and, in the same idea, the Christian Bible is fundamentally a story. Though, Song regrets the fact that Christians, and above all Christian theologians, so often fail to express their faith in term of stories. Christian theology is most often expressed in terms of concepts, ideas, and systems. Following the conviction that this is the most appropriate way to express our faith, the proposal of this book is to speak of Christian faith and theology through stories rather than systems and texts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780227680230
Publisher:	James Clarke & Co. Ltd
Publication date:	08/30/2012
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x (d)

About the Author

C.S. Song is Chair Professor of Theology at Yu Shan Theological Seminary and Chang Jong Christian University in Taiwan.

Table of Contents

Preface 1 In the Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts 2 Story Is the Matrix of Theology 3 Theology Rewrites Stories 4 Stories Rectify Theology 5 The Theological Power of Stories 6 In Search of Our Roots 7 Stories within a Story 8 Stories Are Culturally Distinctive 9 Stories Can Be Theologically Interactive 10 The Bible, Stories, and Theology Bibliography Preface 1 In the Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts 2 Story Is the Matrix of Theology 3 Theology Rewrites Stories 4 Stories Rectify Theology 5 The Theological Power of Stories 6 In Search of Our Roots 7 Stories within a Story 8 Stories Are Culturally Distinctive 9 Stories Can Be Theologically Interactive 10 The Bible, Stories, and Theology Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"...In my view, In the Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts is a fascinating book which succeeds in inscribing religious elements and re-conceptualizing fundamental themes into a new, interdisciplinary approach which can encapsulate religious studies into many other theories, disciplines and emerging subfields like narrative studies. It is the kind of exceptional book that can contribute to renew the discipline of religious studies and bring new directions... [...] This is undoubtedly the most refreshing book in religious studies I have read in years..." Yves Laberge, Theological book review, Vol. 24, No 2, 2012.'...C. S. Song's work is a fascinating journey through the stories of many lands and cultures. Like a grand storyteller for the ages, the author weaves tale after tale to explain his story theology.[...] ...In short, In The Beginning Were Stories, Not texts is a must read, especially for those who are curious about doing theology through stories...' Ken A. Jung, Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2013.

From the Publisher

...C. S. Song's work is a fascinating journey through the stories of many lands and cultures. Like a grand storyteller for the ages, the author weaves tale after tale to explain his story theology.[...] ...In short, In The Beginning Were Stories, Not texts is a must read, especially for those who are curious about doing theology through stories...

Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2013 - Ken A. Jung

"...In my view, In the Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts is a fascinating book which succeeds in inscribing religious elements and re-conceptualizing fundamental themes into a new, interdisciplinary approach which can encapsulate religious studies into many other theories, disciplines and emerging subfields like narrative studies. It is the kind of exceptional book that can contribute to renew the discipline of religious studies and bring new directions... [...] This is undoubtedly the most refreshing book in religious studies I have read in years..."

Theological book review, Vol. 24, No 2, 2012 - Yves Laberge