List of Figures. – 9
Preface. – 11
Prologue: The Bible as a Grand Story. – 15
Act 1 God Establishes His Kingdom: Creation. – 29
Act 2 Rebellion in the Kingdom: Fall. – 41
Act 3 The King Chooses Israel: Redemption Initiated. – 47
Interlude A Kingdom Story Waiting for an Ending: The Intertestamental Period. – 113
Act 4 The Coming of the King: Redemption Accomplished. – 129
Act 5 Spreading the News of the King: The Mission of the Church. – 171
Act 6 The Return of the King: Redemption Completed. – 207
Notes. – 215
Scripture Index. – 233
Subject Index. – 243
Figures
1. Fox and Crow. – 15
2. Fox and Crow Revisited. – 16
3. Percy and Abby. – 17
4. Cathedral Floor Plan. – 23
5. Pagan Myths versus Genesis 1. – 33
6. A Biblical Understanding of Humanity. – 39
7. A Biblical Understanding of Humanity—The Effects of Sin. – 44
8. Abraham’s Journeys. – 54
9. The Exodus. – 65
10. Hittite and Egyptian Empires, c. 1500 BC. – 67
11. Wilderness Wanderings. – 76
12. Covenant Structure. – 78
13. Conquest of the Land. – 81
14. Land Distribution among the Twelve Tribes. – 82
15. Cycles of Judgment. – 86
16. Empires of David and Solomon. – 93
17. Divided Kingdom. – 99
18. World Empires. – 102
19. Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires, c. 240 BC. – 118
20. Palestine in the Time of Jesus. – 135
21. Ass on a Cross. – 162
22. Paul’s First Missionary Journey. – 184
23. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. – 185
24. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey. – 186
25. Jewish Expectation. – 189
26. Fulfillment in the Gospels. – 191