Memoirs of an Unfinished Tale

"Mark Whitters's Memoirs of an Unfinished Tale is a remarkable achievement, a creative update of the book of Acts. It invites readers into the first century while drawing Acts into the twenty-first. Beautifully written, the book offers the fruit of contemplation rooted in solid scholarship. Thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter make it even more valuable for personal Bible study--but it would be the most fun read, or acted out, in community. This book is unique, wonderful, and highly recommended!"

--Leslie Baynes, Missouri State University



"Drawing from certain aspects and features of the historical novel, the narrative sermon, and the exegetical commentary, Whitters creatively performs a new genre of biblical interpretation by retelling the story of the Acts of the Apostles. His performance sets the story in the historical and cultural setting of first-century Jews and Gentiles and their world. The boundary between the first and the twenty-first centuries, however, dissolves as Whitters entices the modern reader to leave the spectator's seat and to enter the story as a participant . . ."

--Troy W. Martin, Saint Xavier University



"Whitters provides his readers with an imaginative re-envisioning of the composition of the book of Acts as a highly selective, performative, and episodic sequence of vital lessons drawn from the Lukan understanding of the history of the early church."

--Gary Knoppers, University of Notre Dame



For front matter:

"The creative retelling of a biblical book is one of the earliest forms of biblical interpretation. In his delightful retelling of the Acts of the Apostles, Mark Whitters brings this ancient art form back to life again. Whitters is a master storyteller. His book is more than biblical interpretation; it is an effective teaching tool. And, to use one of his favorite expressions, it is a performance."

--Matthias Henze, Rice University

 

"A spotlight illuminates two figures on a darkened stage. The taller actor--is it Russell Crowe?--is . . . Luke. With him is a younger man. Luke is explaining the skepticism that greeted the apostles after the death and resurrection of Jesus. But just as you settle into your chair to watch the actors do their magic, Luke steps forward and addresses you: 'Ask yourself: "Have I allowed my own sense of inadequacy to keep me quiet about what I believe to be the truth?"' Now you are a performer in a timeless existential drama, an inspiring production by Mark Whitters, savvy director, superb Biblical scholar, and masterful pedagogue."

--Mark C. Carnes, Columbia University