Tracing God's Story: An Introduction to Biblical Theology (Theology Basics)

“How I wish I had grasped biblical theology long before I began to learn about it in my forties! What Jon Nielson has written in Tracing God’s Story is a concise account of the story the divine author has written in Scripture. While this book is economical with words, it is generous with insight. It presents the story simply but not simplistically. I look forward to recommending it to those who long to have a more solid grip on the Bible’s storyline.”

“I am so grateful for the work of Jon Nielson. He continues to provide the church with outstanding material for the study of the Bible and theology. One of the things that makes Nielson’s work rather distinctive is how well he makes the study of the Bible and theology accessible to a wide audience. In Tracing God’s Story, Nielson does for biblical theology what he did for systematic theology in his excellent Knowing God’s Truth. Beginning with creation, he traces God’s acts of redemption all the way through to the consummation of the age. Along the way, he invites the reader to engage with the material devotionally. I am excited to get this book into the hands of members of the church I serve.”

“As in a novel, you can’t just dip into a page of the Bible and get the gist. Through all the diverse writings, what’s the through line? This is an outstanding and accessible introduction to the plot that keeps biblical history moving from Genesis to Revelation. I highly recommend this book.”

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson takes us on a gallop through the pages of Scripture to show us how the whole grand story of redemption fits together. Neither too shallow nor too deep, this book is written at the perfect level for lay leaders in the church seeking to gain a better understanding of God’s covenant faithfulness to his people across the ages.”

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson presents a clear, coherent, and compelling account of the metanarrative of redemptive history, skillfully weaving the threads of God’s own character with his acts of creation and providence into a tapestry of biblical theology. Not only does he provide the appropriate historical, literary, and redemptive contexts, but he also supplies the reader with cogent and salient application. I'm excited to use this resource in my church for many years to come!”

“Understanding the great thematic threads woven throughout the pages of Scripture, accompanied with a view of the overarching grand story, grants Bible readers deeper delight in God’s work and person. Jon Nielson has provided a resource that helps Bible readers do this very thing! Tracing God’s Story, like Nielson’s first volume in the Theology Basics series, is clear and simple without being simplistic. My family greatly benefited from the first volume, and I can’t wait to put this second volume into the hands of my teenagers.”

“One of the biggest challenges believers find in accessing and reading Scripture is understanding its narrative and cohesion as one unified story. Jon Nielson provides a clear, simple, and thorough overview of the story of Scripture that will make the Bible more accessible and meaningful to believers of any age. A very worthwhile and valuable resource.”

“In Tracing God’s Story, Jon Nielson helps Christians read their Bible cover to cover, with Jesus as the cohesive center. Nielson’s work is clearly supported by the best of biblical scholarship, but his writing is accessible to anyone. This book succeeds as an introductory biblical theology volume that not only informs but also inspires. If you are looking for an accessible volume on biblical theology that will get you into the word—while getting the word into you—look no further than Tracing God’s Story.”