We are a story-telling family, composing on-the-spot homespun tales, filling up the long minutes of road trips with audio books, laughing together over replays from crazy conversations, and delighting in glory-moments together after the fact. As our family continually rotates in wider orbits, stories have become the fibers that connect us, that keep us known to one other.
I’m grateful that all our story threads are woven into the fabric of the huge over-arching narrative found in the pages of Scripture. This once-upon-a-time-that-really-happened got its start in the mind of God, but the plot first hunkered down in the idyllic setting of Eden. Nancy Guthrie picked up her pen, gathered up the tangled threads of that story set in a garden, and she moves forward in hope through the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan in her latest book, Even Better than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything about Your Story
On her meandering way from the thunderous God-force of creation to the end of the ages, she shares stunning truth about “what the original garden has to show us about the more secure, more satisfying, and more glorious garden we’re destined to live in forever, which will be even better than Eden.” (14) It’s easy to forget that Eden was born out of an uninhabitable wasteland on a planet that was “formless and empty.”
- Guthrie follows this story of wilderness through the Old Testament and the wanderings of the discontented Israelites, the ruins of Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzar’s armies had had their way, and into the New Testament where Jesus passed His wilderness testing and Paul lived pinned down by a thorn in the flesh, but found contentment in his spiritual wilderness;
- Then, there’s the story of the tree, a symbol from Genesis to Revelation that pops up in the appearance of the lampstands in the Tabernacle and in prophetic symbolism. By grace, we are invited to find our way to the tree of life by way of Calvary’s tree;
- The story of God’s image is full of hope, for though it was marred, it was flawlessly revealed in Christ and will ultimately be restored in us;
- The story of clothing begins with God providing for Adam and Eve with love and tenderness that points to the truth that one day we will be beautifully clothed in “the greater glory Adam and Eve forfeited” (70);
- The story of the Bridegroom features Eve as the original bride in the very first wedding conducted by God which went terribly wrong. That pain resonated throughout Israel’s history, but the ruined bride will one day be restored and presented to God’s Son, the second Adam’
- The story of sabbath began before there was Law and remains as God’s gift;
- The story of offspring unpacks Psalm 91 within the greater context of God’s sovereignty over evil and the “Offspring of the Woman” (Jesus) who will put an end to evil once and for all;
- The story of a dwelling place assures believers of God’s intention to make His home with us–an intention that cannot be thwarted even by our own fumbling and fluctuating intention to cling to Him. The tabernacle, the temple, and God’s indwelling Spirit all bear witness to His zeal and devotion;
- Finally, the story of the city reveals that all of Scripture points toward the story of two cities– “the city of man and the city of God. And what matters most about your story is which city you have made your home.”
Nancy Guthrie renders biblical theology with beauty and a depth of emotion that motivates me to become a better learner, and a more passionate student of Scripture and observer of life. A firm grasp on the gospel-oriented-big-picture of the Bible’s 66 books will change the way you read. God takes a long view of goodness and hope, and his promises for our welfare point to a life that exponentially transcends the three-score-and-ten we fixate upon.
A good foundation in biblical theology also impacts on the way we pray. For example, God’s promise of protection in Psalm 91 is not the lucky-rabbit’s foot that means our children will “never face danger or death in this life. But [rather that God] has promised to gather his own to himself, where he will protect them from ultimate and eternal harm.”
Following the threads of these nine stories reinforced my understanding of God as both transcendent and relational. Finding myself within the context of His desires for me — a hope that far exceeds my own aspirations for myself and those I love — opens my eyes to the beauty of struggle and the redemptive nature of waiting as we fix our eyes upon the unseen, and trust God for a future home that will be truly (and amazingly!) even better than Eden.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Grace and peace to you,
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you should decide to purchase Even Better than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything about Your Storysimply click on the title (or the image) within the text, and you’ll be taken directly to Amazon. If you decide to buy, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you enjoy reading Living Our Days, subscribe to get regular content delivered to your inbox. Just enter your e-mail address in the field at the top of this page.
I link-up with a number of blogging communities on a regular basis. They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week. I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers.
Michele, WOW! What a wonderful review of this powerful new book! I love this quote from your review, “A good foundation in biblical theology also impacts on the way we pray. For example, God’s promise of protection in Psalm 91 is not the lucky-rabbit’s foot that means our children will “never face danger or death in this life. But [rather that God] has promised to gather his own to himself, where he will protect them from ultimate and eternal harm.” Amen! Many blessings to you ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Psalm 91 is one of my favorite go-to’s and it’s so helpful to me when I read insights that help me to interpret God’s promises in the correct way. As John Piper has said, the Old Testament is for us too, but we do have to understand the intent of the speaker/writer.
LikeLike
Thank you for this insightful review. I was not familiar with the book or author prior, but look forward to reading it and sharing with my two daughters and granddaughters.
LikeLike
Funny you should mention sharing it with your granddaughters. I do believe that this book will impact on the way I teach the Bible to children in the future.
LikeLike
I do believe, Michele, that one day if you visit me in Ohio, you will find a shelf of books labeled “Michele’s goodies” from all the books you encourage me to read by your reviews! Thanks as always!
LikeLike
Oh, you’re going to love this one, and if you need a quick intro to Nancy’s work, she has a podcast called Help Me Teach the Bible.
One of my favorites!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have loved Nancy’s books that I have read. This sounds like another great one. Lately I keep coming across this theme of keeping the overarching story of the Bible in mind as a whole and reading the individual stories as part of the main one. Just from your description, I love how Nancy has done that.
LikeLike
She and Jen Wilkin make a great team!
LikeLike
Why is it so hard to believe He will do far above anything we can ask or think. I’m looking forward to it. I have tried to write about heaven, not sure I did it just but I hope so.
LikeLike
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will he not with Him also freely give us all things. Amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Michele, This sounds like an awesome read!
I always appreciate your reviews so much because I get such a sense of the book beforehand.
Thanks so much for faithfully sharing such great book reviews!
LikeLike
Thanks, Karen! My goal is always to give the sense of the book–while trying not to give too much away (one reason I don’t review much fiction!).
LikeLike
I learn so much from your reviews each week. I am so thankful for your prayers and support during my season of need.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mary, for keeping us in the loop!
LikeLike
It is so important to consider all 66 books of the Bible, Michele, instead of picking and choosing things out of context to suit us. It sounds like this author has taken a big picture view, that is often lacking. The promise of all things being made new is hard to keep sight of in a broken and hurting world, but it is what we Christians cling to in order to keep our faith. And now I have another book I want to read thanks to you!
LikeLike
I’ve even become a little surly with curriculum providers who write Sunday School lessons like popcorn for our kids: one week it’s Moses in the bullrushes and the next week it’s Peter escaping from a Roman prison. Yes, they both might be good lessons to teach about prayer or some other topic, but can we please anchor our kids in the big picture??
I hope you get time to enjoy Nancy’s book. And I hope your concussion healing is nearly accomplished!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is the same thing in the pulpit, Michele. Churches are afraid that part of the message might turn someone off. Even our lectionary deletes certain passages that might not fit in with our ‘feel good’ culture. And then we get into trouble with hypocrisy when our actions don’t match our faith. Is it any wonder? We don’t even know what it is! I am doing much better with very little residual from the concussion – only an occasional dizzy spell. The experience made me take stock of my life, and contributed to my decision to retire. My last day of work is 11/2 and I’m very excited about it! More time to read and write!
LikeLike
Good for you! What an exciting transition!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This review reminded me of the study “Seamless” by Angie Smith which goes through each of the books of the Bible. It is amazing to consider the story of God woven down through the ages. Yes, another one to add to my ever growing list!
LikeLike
More and more, this is becoming the big truth that most fascinates me as I read the Bible, and it even rescues the dusty and devastating prophetic words, because of the hope of the gospel.
LikeLike
What a wonderful observation – every family does have their often-repeated stories, don’t we? I love my families stories that have been told over and over again, polished to a high shine through all of the re-tellings. Great way to begin the post!
LikeLike
Thanks, Laurie, and don’t you find that getting that first paragraph written is the hardest part of all?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, this looks like such an important book! I love that list of 9 stories. What creativity and insight!
And Michele, your first paragraph makes me smile this morning. Family story truly is a force that binds us together! Comforting thought to me as I’m just now waking up to the reality that my daughter has gone to school in South Carolina. (I just had a “horrifying” thought: “What if she stays there after college?” 🙂 ) So your first paragraph reassures.
LikeLike
Oh, goodness, distance is such a heartache when our kids leave the nest. I’m glad this post was helpful in that way.
And I have to say that every single chapter of this book with its 9 stories beginning in the garden just blew me away. So engaging and so insightful.
LikeLike
About that rabbit foot, someone asked a question, one time – how much luck can a rabbit foot bring? The rabbit had four, and look what happened to it! Thanks for this review Michele. I just wonder how that day would be when Jesus perfects His promise and takes us home. Blessings to you!
LikeLike
It will certainly be un-imagineable, but in the meantime, we can have lots of fun trying to picture the glory!
LikeLike
Michele, this sounds like a deep read. The way Nancy shared the parallels between here and heaven sound amazing. The thought that stopped me was what you wrote about how, before the garden, this planet was formless and void. Perhaps for the first time, I saw our planet like the others in our solar system. Though not necessarily formless now, they are void of life. Life comes through God’s breath, doesn’t it?
I’ll be pondering that today.
LikeLike
We tend to picture the idyllic Eden as ultimate, but how amazing is it that God has something even better planned?
LikeLike
Sounds like a great book! It’s interesting how she wove all the strands of her story starting at Eden. I have really never considered the garden of Eden as much as the garden of Gethsemane … but both had vital roles to play in His story.
I’m very curious where you find time to read as much as you do along with all your other activities. I’m in awe!
LikeLike
I’m glad so many authors are now underscoring the importance of viewing the biblical narrative as one big story. And the garden of Gethsemane (and what followed) assures us of a future in a place even better than Eden’s garden.
Thanks for taking time to read and react!
LikeLike
What a great review! I have to add this to my list of books to read!
#ablogginggoodtime
LikeLike
I hope you will–Nancy Guthrie is a fine author and this is an amazing offering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great book! laurensparks.net
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your first paragraph reminded me of my actual family. Have you been hanging in on some of those storytelling evenings? You talked about book this in such an enticing way I want to read this book. You have such a good way of describing books.
LikeLike
It’s fun that you the Boedeker’s are a story-telling crew also! Even now, when one of our married sons calls, I want to have the phone on speaker mode so we can all hear the updates!
LikeLike
This sounds like a wonderful book – thanks for the review – adding it to my list of things to look for! 🙂
LikeLike
Great! If you’ve never encountered Nancy Guthries’s writing, you’re in for a real treat!
LikeLike
This sounds like a really thought provoking book that shows the connectedness between manking and God. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for all you do!
LikeLike
Sounds like a beautiful read. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Blessings to you!
LikeLike
It’s nice knowing the best is still yet to come! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true! God is never out of good ideas!
LikeLike
This book looks like something I would really, really enjoy! I think I’ll head over to Amazon now! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
LikeLike
I’m also listening to her podcast episode that features a presentation she made at the Gospel Coalition Women’s conference and it deals with the content of the book. I’m LOVING the review.
LikeLike
Thanks, Michele for this insightful review. I had not heard of this book yet but I have enjoyed this author before. Thanks for sharing it with us!
LikeLike
So glad you have been blessed by Nancy’s work! She’s such a great teacher.
LikeLike
wow what a great review!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
LikeLike
Well, thank YOU!
LikeLike
Thank you for linking up with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up. Your reviews are always so thorough and intriguing. My only problem is my stack to books to read is too high.
LikeLike
[…] Nancy Guthrie picked up her pen, gathered up the tangled threads of the earliest story set in a garden, and then she moves forward in hope through the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan in her latest book, Even Better than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything about Your Story. On her meandering way from the thunderous God-force of creation to the end of the ages, she shares stunning truth about “what the original garden has to show us about the more secure, more satisfying, and more glorious garden we’re destined to live in forever, which will be even better than Eden.” (14) This was one of those books that I can’t stop thinking about. If you’ve read it, too, I’d love to have a conversation with you. Here’s a link to more details. […]
LikeLike
[…] Michele Morin–(Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie)2. Barbara H. (My Hands Came Away Red)3. Barbara H. (The Lost Castle)4. Barbara H. (Borders of the […]
LikeLike