Overview

Stories shape us and give us meaning - but is it coincidence that the same seven basic plots repeat over time and across the world? What if stories not only reveal something about human psychology, but also give us clues to the meaning of the reality we live in? Discover how these archetypal stories - Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy and Rebirth - are not only universal, but also found in the story of Christ. What if Jesus' story is where myth becomes history and can give true meaning to all our lives? Explore for yourself the explosive claim that the life of Jesus isn't just another story, but the true story that satisfies our deepest longings.

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9781789743951

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Reviews

I could almost hear this book as the banter of storytellers lingering around a dinner table as Pete & Matt regale us with their shared delight in the power of story. I have long been encouraging filmmakers to make adaptations of the stories and themes of scripture and found this approach of looking through Christopher Bookers seven stories genuinely inspiring. -- Luke Walton, Producer, Reel Issues Films.

"This is an imaginative, thought-provoking exploration of the power of story in our lives - and how the tales that we tell might point to a greater Story that encompasses us all. There is challenge here: some of it stirring, some of it prompting me to challenge the authors right back! But there’s also deep grace and wisdom: I was moved to tears by the chapter on Rebirth, with its beautiful depiction of the love and reconciliation that God offers us. It’s a book that reminds me just why I adore stories so much - and it’s a book that inspires me to pursue the Story that Peter and Matt suggest is the key to life, the universe and everything. -- Vicki Sparks, Commentator of the Year 2021, Sports Journalism Awards Reading Reality And Other Stories is like discovering the entrance to a cave. Once you’re inside you’ll find the tunnels through which all the great stories of the past are brought up to the earth. The greater discovery is that these many tunnels meet together in a single great hall of treasure. Without erasing the distinctions between the different stories we love - or embracing Christopher Brooker’s 7 plots theory too readily - Matt and Pete show how our thirst for great mythos is quenched by what C.S. Lewis called ""the Myth become Fact"", the gospel of Jesus. This book not only gathers together some of the best material on story and storytelling, but arranges it to show us that the best story is the truth. Matt and Pete have made this storehouse of storytelling riches so accessible that I will be putting Reality And Other Stories into the hands of every person we teach in the Speak Life Foundry. -- Nate Morgan Locke, Creative Director, Speak Life I could almost hear this book as the banter of storytellers lingering around a dinner table as Pete & Matt regale us with their shared delight in the power of story. I have long been encouraging filmmakers to make adaptations of the stories and themes of scripture and found this approach of looking through Christopher Bookers ""seven stories"" genuinely inspiring. -- Luke Walton, Producer, Reel Issues Films."

Author Information

Matt Lillicrap is Pastor of Hope Community Church, Cambridge and a tutor with Crosslands Training. He has written for Themelios and Primer and blogs at www.onwardstoglory.org. He is married to Anika and has six children and one dog. Peter is Director for Creative Evangelism with UCCF. At present he is writing video scripts and supporting materials for CU Impact Groups (see www.uccf.org.uk/impact).He leads the evangelistic outreach in his local church, Redeemer Leeds.

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