God’s Story Will End Better than It Began . . .
Experienced Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie traces 9 themes throughout the Bible, revealing how God’s plan for the new creation will be far more glorious than the original. But this new creation glory isn’t just reserved for the future. The hope of God’s plan for his people transforms everything about our lives today.
“Nancy Guthrie is one of the best teachers of Scripture I’ve
ever heard or read. Her style—even in writing—is conversational.
It’s like you’re sharing a cup of coffee while tracing the central
motifs of the biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. Eden was
great, but the new creation will be greater than the first—not
because this world will be no more, but because it will be so much
more. It’s not only the end of sin and death, but the kind of
righteousness and life that we just can’t wrap our brain around
right now. But we do get glimpses—and no better ones than those
that Guthrie brings out with such warmth, excitement, and
skill.”
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor
of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary
California
“Even Better than Eden weaves a glorious tapestry of
variegated scriptural threads. Nancy Guthrie traces nine
magnificent threads from creation to consummation that provide an
accessible primer on the biblical metanarrative. Each thread, when
unraveled, reveals the beauty and splendor of Jesus. The pages of
this book fill me with an eager anticipation of the day when we
will get to our home that will be even better than Eden and the
completed work of art will be unveiled in all its glory.”
—Karen Hodge, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries,
Presbyterian Church in America; coauthor, Transformed
“One of the weaknesses of much popular Christian teaching on the
Bible is the tendency to read the story of the Bible in a circular
manner, as if Jesus Christ came into the world to bring us back to
Eden. Nancy Guthrie charts a better course in her book. In a manner
that is profoundly biblical and deeply practical, she traces nine
biblical themes along a common trajectory, from their beginning in
God’s good creation, through their destruction and devastation by
Adam’s sin, to the ways Christ perfects, consummates, and crowns
each theme by means of his suffering and glory. Let Guthrie take
you by the hand and lead you through the Bible to Jesus Christ, in
whom we find a better provision, a better life, a better identity,
a better rest, a better wardrobe, a better spouse, a better savior,
a better sanctuary, and a better city than this world in its
present state could or would afford.”
—Scott R. Swain, author, The Trinity: An
Introduction; coeditor, The Oxford Handbook of Reformed
Theology
“As a pastor, I have discovered that Christians need help
learning to tell their own story in ways that rightly connect it to
what God has preserved for us in his Word. With Even Better than
Eden, Nancy Guthrie does just that. Here is a book that will
train you to speak more winsomely to others about why and how Jesus
matters.”
—David R. Helm, Chairman of the Board, Charles
Simeon Trust; Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Chicago
“This delightful book will help you see—through new eyes—the
beautiful threads in the rich tapestry of the Bible’s story. I will
be recommending this insightful and informative book to
many.”
—Jonathan Gibson, Assistant Professor of Old
Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary
“The more we understand the big story of the Bible, the more
depth and riches we’ll enjoy in our own study of God’s Word. As I
read this book, I learned so much in a way that deepened my love
for the Lord Jesus—and I’m sure you will too. Even Better than
Eden will help Christians of all ages grow in their grasp of
how glorious Jesus is and help them long for the day when we get to
see him face-to-face. Guthrie has written with both a clarity and
richness of ideas that will set you off on the path to enjoy the
whole story of Scripture for the rest of your life. I can’t wait to
get into this book with the women at church.”
—Amy Wicks, Women’s Worker, St. Helen’s
Bishopsgate, UK
“With characteristic clarity and wisdom, Nancy Guthrie helps us
see the story of the Bible from ‘In the beginning’ to ‘Amen.’
Guthrie lovingly traces how the themes of the garden of Genesis
point us to the city of Revelation, revealing the story of
redemption they contain. This book is both useful and devotional, a
help for all who want to grow in their understanding of God’s Word
and will.”
—Jen Wilkin, Bible teacher; author, Women
of the Word; None Like Him; and In His
Image
“In this remarkable, beautiful, and hopeful book, Nancy Guthrie
retells The Great Story and explains how each of our stories fit
in. She shares why, despite the brokenness of everything and our
best efforts to stoically accept a despairing conclusion, we can’t
help but deeply long for a happy ending—to find our long-lost Eden.
Nancy’s news is very good: if we’ll have it, there’s something even
better than Eden to find. And our ending will only be a
beginning.”
—Jon Bloom, Cofounder, Desiring God; author,
Not by Sight
“With a rare combination of biblical faithfulness, theological
insight, pastoral care, and storytelling skill, Nancy Guthrie has
produced a remarkable book. Each chapter takes a different theme or
image and tells the story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.
As a result, the reader grows in her understanding not only of how
the Bible is put together, but of how awesome God is to weave the
web of history and revelation for his glory and our salvation. And
while this book will help everyone read and apply the Bible better,
I especially appreciate the way in which Nancy reflects on the
story of redemption as a woman speaking to women. This book should
not only be read by women's ministry and Bible study leaders but
also emulated in their teaching and discipling ministries.”
—Michael Lawrence, Senior Pastor, Hinson
Baptist Church, Portland, Oregon; author, Biblical Theology in
the Life of the Church
Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast from the Gospel Coalition and the author of numerous books, including Even Better than Eden and Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus. She and her husband are cohosts of the GriefShare video series and lead Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child.