Review: The Big Story by Justin Buzzard

5 out of 5 Stars
Author: Justin Buzzard
Publisher: Moody Publisher
Buy The Big Story
Reading Level: Liesure

“We can’t live without a sense of story” (p. 25).

Justin Buzzard writes a much needed book. A book about the gospel story for those still seeking and those seeking to share the story with others; a conversational book challenging the foundations of life. Justin writes,

My conviction is that only one story is big enough to adequately answer this question, to explain all the beauty and all the brokenness we see in this world, to make sense of our desires, dreams, and disappointments. (p. 15)

Justin riffs off the creation-fall-redemption-consummation. He starts with God moves to his creative act. He examines our rebellion and our rescue. He ends with home and life. In the midst of telling the gospel story Justin stops and explains what partaking in the story of Jesus means.

What I loved. Justin writes matter of factly and simply. You can feel confident giving this book to your friends and family who are seeking. Even for those uninitiated with the gospel story, unfamiliar with Jesus, The Big Story will penetrate and be understandable. As a matter of fact, I could see The Big Story used as a discipleship tool for those seeking the truth of Jesus Christ in a one-on-one context and also in a church setting.

The Big Story also encourages those who may be unsure of how to share their faith. Knowing the gospel story helps place our own story within a context that’s easy to share with unbelievers. Justin deconstructs “evangelism” in a way which makes it approachable for the average Christian.

I also loved that The Big Story was God-centered. The story isn’t about us ultimately. It’s about Him.

The story of the Bible is about God. It is not about us working our way up to God. It’s about Him working His way down to us, to our broken world, in order to fix us and free us. (p. 44)

 We are just rescued.

Rescued. That’s what we are forever, in Jesus. We are rescued from ourselves, our own self-destruction. We are rescued from the judgment we earned through our rebellion. We are rescued from the wrath of God which is rightly poured out on those who refuse the gracious work of Jesus. (p. 111)

I highly recommend The Big Story. It’s a book you’ll love if you love the gospel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Big Story free from Moody Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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