Tell Me the Story: The Carpenter - Softcover

"Narrative preaching is an extremely difficult art to master, because imagination has to be used as a tool to convey truth and make the reader want to grasp it,but must never take over itself. Alex MacDonald has managed here to present us with a series of stories that superbly manage to retell well known historical facts in a way that magically take us to the lands and times in which they actually happened. A book for young and old, for seasoned preachers and truth-seekers, and ultimately for anyone who simply likes stories well told." -- Manuel Reano, Principal, Bible Seminary of Columbia Medellin-Columbia, South America. "Having heard the chapter on Joanna I can appreciate the living situation from which the skilful telling of these stories has come. They are a practical and helpful reminder that we often fail to capture people's imagination in telling the exciting story the narrative of the New Testament provides. The writer's motivation is that of an earnest communicator of the gospel who commendably tries every helpful approach to help his readers and listeners to understand the greatest good news there is." -- Derek Prime, author and former pastor of Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh "In this book Alex MacDonald retells the story of 12 people who were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus. The style of the book is compelling and biblical and background material is helpful. The author is an engaging storyteller and manages to captivate heart, mind and imagination of the reader. The book is an easy read...I would certainly give this book to an unbeliever to whet their appetite for the gospel" -- Evangelicals Now "I read these stories at a sitting and really enjoyed them. I understand now why people say that when Alex preaches these story-sermons you can hear a pin drop. And I also appreciate why by God's grace these same occasions are often when the penny drops. Good stories have a way of getting round people's carefully constructed defences. May these stories draw many to the hero of the biggest story of all." -- Alastair I Macleod, St Andrews Free Church of Scotland "The author, minister of Buccleuch and Greyfriars Free Church in Edinburgh and a former Editor of the Free Church Monthly Record, has skilfully brought together a collection of first-person narratives written through the eyes of those who knew Jesus. Using biblical references and other background resources, MacDonald offers responses to the question: 'do you know Jesus' through the eyes of those who knew him, from his mother Mary, to Simon Peter, the Apostle John and Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Written in a lively and original style, each chapter can be enjoyed individually or as part of a wider study of the lives of those who knew Jesus. Written in a lively and original style, each chapter can be enjoyed individually or as part of a wider study of the lives of those who knew Jesus." -- Life & Work, Church of Scotland Magazine Should the Gospel be made available only in erudite style? Or, can the simple power of narrative also serve the Evangel in the lives of young and old? In his new book Tell me the Story, Alex MacDonald retells the ancient tale of Jesus in the contemporary tongue of narrative account. With delightful turn of phrase and surprising perspective, we are invited to hear afresh the storyline of the Gospel message. A faithful preacher with an eye towards making the Good News intelligible to everyman, Alex MacDonald warms our hearts with his fusion of timeless truth through vibrant imagination. These dozen eyewitness accounts of Bible figures and their companions will stir your heart to treasure again the old, old story of Jesus and His love! -- W. Duncan Rankin, Senior Minister, Covenant Presbyterian Church Oakridge, Tennessee

Alex retells these eye-witness stories of Jesus. These people tell their stories as eye witnesses of those who were actually there. They are: Mary, mother of Jesus, Gaius Maximus, centurion, Joanna's story of John The Baptist, woman at the well, Simon the Pharisee, Gadarene Demoniac, Jairus, Simon Peter, Rich ruler, Bartimaeus & Zacchaeus, John and Marcellus a Roman officer. Using Biblical, contemporary and background data, Alex MacDonald skilfully tells the stories of those who were with Jesus at key points in his life. It unfolds as if you were on the spot looking on. The stories are based on factual evidence of what really happened. This book will capture your imagination causing you to ask "What would my reaction have been if I had been there?" or "Was this really what happened"?