I received an advanced copy of Frank Viola’s new book in the mail. It’s called From Eternity To Here: Rediscovering The Ageless Purpose of God. The Book is scheduled for a March 1st release.
Happily, this book is not focused upon church practices and/or traditions, like Frank’s last two books (Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church). I’m not a huge fan of Pagan Christianity or Reimagining Church, though I will happily admit that Frank raises a few good questions and does challenge readers to actually begin to think intentionally about ecclessiology. That said, Frank’s From Eternity To Here promises to be a refreshing change of pace.
From Eternity To Here focuses upon the narrative nature of Scripture, as a whole. The Bible is a dramatic story composed of equally dramatic sub-stories (or sub-plots). This is not, however, your average story; it’s the living, breathing “Story of God.” It’s the narrative framework that hosts the meaning of life and God’s spontaneous and recreative mission for all of life! It’s the very context wherein our lives and God’s active presence begin to meet and mingle.
Frank Viola’s book captures the essence of this grand narrative framework and communicates – or perhaps re-communicates – its ultimate purpose by presenting readers with three incredible stories spanning from Genesis and Revelation. When these stories are read, interpreted, and permitted to freely co-exist, an extraordinary and refreshing glimpse into God’s incredible and active re-creative plan is offered as a result.
The book’s three big stories are: 1. A Forgotten Woman: The Bride of Christ; 2. An Eternal Quest: The House of God; 3. A New Species: The Body of Christ and The Family of God.
Frank Viola is a big thinker, obviously. Said differently, his thinking is characterized by huge arcs and broad strokes, whereas most individuals tend to think in much smaller, more manageable, and segmented blocks. From Eternity to Here is a reflection of Frank’s broad and sweeping approach and practical expression of the totality of the Biblical narrative, re-communicated in three smaller, more manageable, and segmented stories (blocks). It’s quite fascinating and I personally look forward to completing my own read of this book.
So, watch for a full and proper review of From Eternity to Here upon my actual completion of the book.
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