Review of One Grand Story by Ched Spellman

A seminary friend wrote a helpful book!

I should note upfront that this post is aimed at other pastors and believers. I’ll have an academic review published in the next volume of the SWBTS journal of theology if that’s your jam.

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I had at least one seminar with

Ched Spellman

while studying at SWBTS. He and I shared an enjoyment of pop-culture references and intertextual connections. Obviously Dr. Spellman has moved on more important things like writing actual books, though I’m pretty sure I caught a couple of clandestine pop-culture references in the book.

Purpose

This book addresses two questions: 1) how do I read the bible theologically? 2) what is the benefit of doing that?

The first several chapters of the book do a wonderful job of describing biblical theology and how to read the bible through the lens of biblical theology. In the chapters teaching method, he hits on several great reading strategies. He explains what intertextual connections are and how to find them. He suggests paying attention to character’s last words, and covenants. Then in the later chapters of part 1 he demonstrates the payoff of reading the Bible this way. He shows how meaningful the gospel of John becomes when read through the lens of biblical theology and the significance of what that Gospel account contributes to the biblical canon when read in this way.

The second part of the book is probably less important for church members, but still relevant for pastors and teachers. In this second part Spellman describes a few research questions to help the reader go further in understanding biblical theology. He even suggests a few bibliographic resources for each project.

Is it Helpful?

Spellman’s love story with the biblical canon is as epic as Taylor and Travis’ story. It certainly comes out in this book. Having said that, I think part two could be helpful for pastors and perhaps teachers of Bible study groups. But, for the average church member at my church, I think part two is probably over their head. However part 1 is so incredibly helpful that I’ve already recommended this book to a few people at church and will continue to do so. The book is written in a way that anyone who has finished high school should be able to learn from it without feeling like they were thrown in the deep end of the pool.