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The Drama of Scripture

First published in 2004, Bartholomew and Goheen’s The Drama of Scripture has seen multiple reprints, translations, and now a third edition. It addresses the problem of fragmented biblical interpretation by framing Scripture as a six-act drama – from creation to new creation – presenting the Bible as the unified, unfolding story of God’s redemptive work in history, and inviting readers to find their place in it.

Since the orientation of Drama is towards the university, it is less accessible for Christians outside the academy. To address this, SPCK in London created an accessible version, which has eventually been published under the name The True Story of the Whole World.

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The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story

The Drama of Scripture provides an engaging overview of the storyline and theology of the Bible. The authors work their way through the Bible as a drama with six acts – creation, sin, Israel, Jesus, mission and new creation. Their study provides an introduction to the Bible and a commentary on important passages, while helping the reader relate their story to the Bible story at each point.

The Drama of Scripture has turned out to be an international bestseller, having sold well over 100 000 copies. It was written as an undergraduate textbook but has been used in a variety of contexts apart from, but including, the lecture theatre. It is now available in one form or another in some 12 languages. The most recent translations are the French and the Mongolian ones. In 2024 Baker Academic published a 20th Anniversary 3rd edition.

Drama has been translated into many languages:

  • Translation into Russian (Cherkasy, UA: Colloquium Publishing, 2009).
  • Translation into Korean (Seoul, SK: Intervarsity Press, 2009).
  • Translation into Musselmani Bengali. Translated by Institute for Classical Languages Trust; (Muhammadpur, Dhaka, BD: Padma Educational Services Ltd., 2010)
  • Translation into Chinese (CN: Enoch Communications, 2012)
  • Translation into Spanish (Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2017)
  • Translation into Portuguese (São Paulo, BR: Edições Vida Nova, 2017)
  • Translation into Romanian (Alba-Iulia, RO: Reintregirea, 2017)
  • Translation into Hungarian (Budapest, HU: John Calvin Publishing House of the Reformed Church Publishers, 2018)
  • Translation into Farsi (London, UK: Pars Theological Centre, 2019)
  • Translation into French (Trois-Rivières, QC: Publications Chrétiennes, 2021)

Audiobook version (Rapid City, SD: Two Words Publishing, LLC, 2020)

You can find more resources related to Drama by visiting https://missionworldview.com/.

Much recent scholarship has emphasized the narrative quality of Scripture. This book takes that insight and brings it to life, enabling even the beginner to grasp the sense of Scripture as a single great story - a drama in which we are all invited to play a part. I am delighted to see solid scholarship made easily accessible in this splendid fashion.
N. T. WrightResearch Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews
The Drama of Scripture is just what we would expect, and need, from the partnership of an accomplished biblical scholar and a noted missiologist. This is an entrée into the grand sweep of God's story told with a keen eye for Christian formation and the mission of God's people. Though Bartholomew and Goheen are obviously in conversation with relevant scholarship, their narrative is uncluttered and disarmingly transparent in its invitation for us not only to grasp but also to be grasped by the big story of God's project.
Joel B. GreenAssociate Dean of the Center for Advanced Theological Study, and Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary
Bartholomew and Goheen do a masterful job of presenting the Bible as an organic whole. They powerfully demonstrate how the themes of covenant and the kingdom of God provide a coherence for Scripture that helps the reader make sense of its varied parts. I enthusiastically recommend this book as a university-level textbook, but all who want to enrich their understanding of the account of God's redemptive plan will benefit from reading it.
Tremper Longman IIIDistinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
Nothing could be more necessary for the teaching of Scripture and the understanding of Christian theology than a command of the biblical grand narrative. In this introductory text, Bartholomew and Goheen make it possible for students to situate fragmentary knowledge of the Bible within a coherent view of the canonical Scriptures - that larger story that both forms and, when central to living memory, unites the church.
David Lyle JeffreyDistinguished Senior Fellow at the Baylor Institute for Studies in Religion
This is a vivid introduction to reading the Bible as a coherent story of God's purposes for the world. It will not only help the new reader but will also enable the experienced reader to distinguish the central themes of Scripture from mere sidelights.
Gordon J. WenhamAdjunct Professor at Trinity College, Bristol
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The True Story of the Whole World: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Drama

Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2020)

The True Story of the Whole World explores the grand story line of the Bible, showing how God’s action in the world gives meaning to our lives and provides us with a foundation for our actions. This revised editions has been updated and streamlined throughout.

True Story has a fascinating history. SPCK in London published the first edition of Drama under the same title but as a more user-friendly version for the average churchgoer. Faith Alive in the USA picked up on it and published it very successfully in the USA as The True Story of the Whole World. True Story has sold well and recently Brazos Press (part of Baker) published a 2nd edition of it.

A revised version of True Story with Baker came out in 2020.

The book has also been translated:

  • Translation into Korean (Seoul: Holy Wave Plus Publishing)
  • Translation into Mongolian (Fellowship of Campus Students Mongolia)
What a shockingly bold title, The True Story of the Whole World, and it lives up to every word. This book masterfully synthesizes the biblical narrative without sacrificing important exegetical details. It prompts readers to sit back in awe of the history of redemption while also compelling them to get on with Jesus' kingdom mission. Its predecessor, The Drama of Scripture, was required reading for all our church's interns and residents. I am now thrilled to recommend this more accessible version to our whole church.
Jonathan Dodsonlead pastor, City Life Church, Austin, Texas; author of Our Good Crisis: Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes
I know of no book that is more important to our current and emerging times than The True Story of the Whole World. This book is accessible and tremendously impactful. Goheen and Bartholomew have immersed me and so many others in the world-altering story of Jesus Christ. Their book presents a breadth of biblical wisdom that helps us make sense of why the modern church is anemic in its calling to be the light of the world. I recommend The True Story of the Whole World to all who desire wisdom. Read and apply this book to your lives and ministries.
Tyler Johnsonlead pastor, Redemption Church Arizona