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Book Review: The Storyteller's Companion to the Bible, Volume 12: The Acts of the Apostles

Volume twelve in this storytelling series is a kind of Garrison Keillor approach to preaching Acts, only instead of a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, all hell has broken loose in the Mediterranean. The adventure stories of Acts deserve an adventurous retelling from the pulpit, and that is what Dennis Smith and Michael Williams deliver. Williams is the editor for the entire multi-volume series and is joined here by Smith as he was in the volume on the Gospel of John. One of the real strengths of the series is the help they enlist from biblical scholars and storytellers of good reputation. Richard Pervo serves as the commentator on textual issues, himself a leading authority on Acts. In addition, this volume includes contributions by Margie Brown and Donald Davis, the latter being one of the best storytellers in America. Those familiar with the series will recognize some common features: an introduction to the biblical book a brief discussion of parallel stori:s employed, and the usual suggestions on how to tell Bible stories. Those unfamiliar with the series could guess from the title that the focus is on narrative approaches to preaching. It is not just preachers, however, who could benefit from the series. Sunday school teachers and Vacation Bible School workers might use it as well. Each text segment includes a translation of the text, comments on the story, a sample retelling, and possible parallels from extra-biblical sources. The retellings are varied, sometimes setting a story in its original Sitz im Leben and at other times placing it in the present. There is a marked difference between strapping sandals on our hearers and putting Reeboks on Barnabas. As for the parallel stories, unlike the Old Testament volumes which reference rabbinic midrashim, this volume employs narratives from three sources: Jewish, such as Maccabees; pagan, such as "The Acts of the Pagan Martyrs"; and developing Christian traditions, such as "The Acts of the Christian Martyrs." This present volume, much like the series itself, is a practical help for preachers and teachers alike. There are of course lots of practical helps available these days, not all of them equal in value. The Storyteller's Companion to the Bible series is based on solid biblical scholarship. As such, it stands above all other such helps.