I’m excited that Christianity Today picked up The Big Story! Yeah, that’s me on the left at La Jolla Cove.
Here’s a link to an interview that appeared in the July 2008 issue. They just posted it online today, but they didn’t include the graphics that are found in the print version. (Update: Christianity Today has graciously given us permission to post the print article online in a PDF format, “just this once.” A big thanks to CT, and I’m glad you’ll get to see the great art direction behind the article. Right-click here to download it.
You can also see a three-minute version of The Big Story in action, and if you’re still interested, you can also take a look at its sequel.
A huge thanks goes out to Andy Crouch for the interview. And for those even more interested, I’m also interviewed at an online magazine called StudentSoul.
Hi James,
Found your site thru that CT article. Pretty awesome, man.
Blessings. =)
So glad to find your site with an explanation of The Big Story. When I finished the CT article I was wanting to see the 4 circles. Thanks! Such a simple and clear explanation.
James, I have been searching for a way to speak the “living water” into the dry souls of this world. After reading your CT article and watching your Video clip I found myself amazed at the simplicity yet very profound way of sharing the message of hope with the 21st century world. I intend on learning more about the Four Circles. Thank you for giving your life to reaching students for Jesus! Romans 10:15 Blessings and keep up the good work!
Lee
Ronnie, Fran and Lee — Thank you for your encouraging words!
thanks for the link. great read… i’m really enjoying your book.
Hi James!
Thanks so much for this. I’ve been looking for a tool based on the narrative approach, and was so happy when I came across the CT article on the Big Story. I totally resonated with all that you have to say in the article b/c I’ve been on a similar journey in the last year or so.
I was just wondering if you have the explanation-of-the-big-story pdf in other languages, like say Chinese? If not, is it possible to get it translated, and how?
Hey James, I read the CT article and was intrigued enough to look at your video and postings here. I love the narrative approach; what a terrific alternative to the Four Spiritual laws that was used so often growing up in our Korean immigrant churches. I’m getting the book and thinking about how I could use it as tool to train our small group leaders on evangelism. Thanks for making this resource available…
Sarah and Carolyn — Thanks!
Wix — it hasn’t been translated into other languages, though someone from Brazil asked if it was in Portuguese. I’ll post a link describing how InterVarsity Press translates its stuff:
http://www.jameschoung.net/2008/05/02/southern-style/#comment-2767
Hi James,
I’m a 20-something postmodern evangelical from Hawaii who heard about your diagram through the CT article. In my estimation, “The Big Story” is a terrific breakthrough in napkin sketch theology and I recently posted a review/endorsement of it on my fledgling amateur blog- still kickin’ it after 4 months! If you want to check it out or post a comment go to: thecommonloon.blogspot.com
While I don’t think that the bridge diagram should be completely thrown out (I doubt that you do either), I found your “4 circles” to paint much more complete picture of how sin pervades the world at all levels (personal, relational and systemic) and thus Christ came to bring redemption at all of these levels.
Based on the books and films you recommend, we probably have a lot in common. The church we attend (my wife is on staff) is generally pretty conservative/traditional but we’re starting to become more missional. I’ve already forwarded your write-up to some of our other ministry leaders and I’m planning to take your diagram out for a “test drive” sometime soon. Blessings on your journey and keep up the great work!
Wow, I just read your book, and whew, I needed that. I found it at such a good time. Thank you. I always knew/hoped that Jesus wanted us not only to love him, but to take care of each other and the world he gave us, but competing theologies were blurring this truth for me. The extreme religious right was scaring me, looking a little too much like a white man’s iran, but I couldn’t stand trying to tell people that they didn’t have to do anything to contribute to God’s plan but sign up and wait either. Both were just looking too hollow, I knew something was missing, and I was scared that I wouldn’t find Jesus’ real message. Amidst the so-and-so are going to hell, and the preachers who got disturbingly quiet when I blasted their works-is-the-devil theology with quotes from Jesus, where was the good news? That’s what I wanted! I still have a lot of questions that go way beyond your book, but I now see the hope of the good news. The kingdom is not about forming a american-party-of-god to enforce right living, or about just putting our heads in the sand and holding on to our golden ticket. It’s the mission of the body of believers to make things better. So thank you so much, and God bless!
James,
The article is sweet! congrats. I appreciated what you said at the end that at the end of the day, “it’s nothing new or I’d be a heretic.” I hope & pray lots of folks get there hands on your book & lead many to Christ. (which by the way, IVP still never sent us! We’ll get it eventually ourselves). And that pic of you in the sand with the rocks & the water is pretty great. You need to like frame that or something. Anyway, just wanted to encourage you. I respect & admire what you are doing!
I’m director of a men’s ministry based in Kentucky, http://www.menwhowin.com, that uses short radio shows and newsletters/blogs. We’re making a concentrated effort to connect with men in their 20’s and 30’s. Toward this goal, I was hoping James Choung has a video available in which he demonstrates the four circles napkin presentation of the Good News. Could you please apprise.
Don, Ruth and Gracee — thank you!
Gary, you can find the 3-minute video here:
http://www.jameschoung.net/2007/09/17/the-big-story/
James,
Thanks for this. Like a lot of great ideas, it’s one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that…?”-type things. I’m so glad you did.
This just makes sense. The Gospel of the Kingdom is really good news, better than the church of my youth explained it. Please know you’ll have more and more people you don’t even know — like me — both using this “iconography” and being thankful to you for sharing it.
Hi Brant — thanks for the encouraging words!