Book Review: The Storied Life by Jared C. Wilson

This book is a new release as of May 7, 2024. Wilson inspires those who are writers to write with the goal of worshiping God. This book is not just written for the pastor but for those who are serious about endeavoring to be writers. As pastors and preachers, we are always writing sermons and articles for our fellow believers and congregations. Wilson begins the book by describing what it takes to be a good writer. It is a charge to be creative in writing and using the tools we have been given by God to succeed. Our lives are storied, and God is the author of not only our story but also The Story of the Bible.

He continues this narrative by describing the Story as liturgy or orderly. As Baptists, we do not have a "high church" tradition, but we do have order in our services, says Wilson. He helps us as writers to understand that the Story of the Bible is guiding our story in our everyday lives. He helps us to see that "the church service exists to re-evangelize the people of God and remind them of the power of the gospel against sin and the condemnation of the law as well as the sheer moral confusion and chaos of the world.” (p. 37)

Throughout the rest of the book, Wilson helps us to see writing as a spiritual act, giving us illustrations of classic literary works in fiction and nonfiction to help stir our affections for our walk with God, to strengthen our craft in writing, and to help others grow in the same arenas.

What stood out to me were simple exhortations to read and write a lot. Reading more helps our writing skills and helps us to think deeply about the subject matter on which we may be either focusing or preaching to others. For those of us who are in ministry or preaching, we write more than we may think. Though we are not writing books, we are preparing to teach others how to walk with God through our writings and sermons. We do not have to be "showy or fancy," but we want to capture the attentions of those who listen to us or read the articles we write. Wilson shows us what our ultimate goal should be: “But the true aim of preaching is to exalt Jesus Christ from the Word of God. This does not mean that we should not be passionate, articulate, or dramatic. It simply means that these effects should be measured in ways that help us magnify Jesus, not ourselves.”

Even if you are writing something as seemingly minute as a sermon, pick up this book to inspire you in your writing for the Kingdom of God.

Jarrod Thomas,

Student, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary