Epic (John Eldredge)

The subtitle of Epic pretty much sums it up: this book is about "the story God is telling."  Eldredge shares the basic Bible story: that we were created perfect, fell into darkness, required rescuing by a merciful God, and now have a choice to follow Him or not, with eternal consequences.  Eldredge frames the book by comparing the story of life to many other stories that we tell, discussing common elements and showing how many of the tales we create as humans are simply reflections of the ultimate story.  He then claims that our resonance with such stories is a (mild) proof that the real story- life's big picture and ultimate truth- is along the same lines.

The book is okay.  It's main point is relating the gospel, and the creation-fall-redemption story with which Christians are well familiar.  It's always good to be reminded of that, but I didn't learn anything new from that portion (though a nonbeliever would).  The part I enjoyed more was the reflection on stories in general.  Eldredge says that many of us feel as though our lives are stories we don't quite understand- either where it's going, or our part in it.  He frequently references common epics of our day- The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Chronicles of Narnia, Braveheart, etc- and discusses their common elements.  Things like the world was once okay, something happened (evil entered the world), now it's not what it should be (the bad is mixed in with the good), and restoration requires sacrifice of one (or many), and we can be a part of one side or the other.  That basic plot is extremely common, and it never fails to draw us in.  Eldredge's point [after preaching the gospel] is: why?  Why is that so enticing?  Everyone agrees that our world isn't all it should be today, and everyone wants to see it get better.  Many believe it used to be better.  And so Eldredge hypothesizes that these epic stories resonate so much with us simply because it's the same story being acted out now, in our lives, and that we should be aware of that story and our role in it.  It's an interesting and valid point.  He's saying "if you're lost, learn the main story, and you'll see the way."

Here's the bottom line: you either believe that there's a point to life- an overall story- or you don't.  Either life has meaning, and you have a part to play in it, or life came about by chance, will end by chance, and there's no overall point to it.  God exists, or He doesn't.  Either belief has epic, life-affecting complications.  Which side are you on?

Rating: B-