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Book Talk, Dr. Daniel Schwabauer

Mabee Learning Commons, 1st floor
February 19, 2025 @ 11:30 am
to February 19, 2025 @ 2:30 pm
Dr. Daniel Schwabauer

Details

February 19, 11:30am – 2:30pm

The God of Story cover image by Dr. Daniel Schwabauer

The God of Story: Discovering the Narrative of Scripture Through the Language of Storytelling

This event provides an opportunity to hear from Dr. Daniel Schwabauer on his new monograph published through Baker Books, which officially releases on February 18, 2025. The event will include a talk from Dr. Schwabauer, Q&A, and book purchase/signing.

Many of us have been taught to read Scripture as a collection of information that needs to be categorized, systematized, and analyzed verse by verse, concept by concept. But the Bible isn’t a jigsaw puzzle, and it wasn’t written in just Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It was also written in the language of story. And as with every good story, we get to meet colorful characters, unravel mysteries, and see the world from a different point of view. It all makes more sense when understood from the perspective of storytelling.

In The God of Story, Daniel Schwabauer explores the narrative principles of theme, context, characterization, voice, and plot as a lens for understanding the cosmic story arc of God’s relationship to humanity. By including creative retellings of biblical stories, he demonstrates how to engage Scripture with imagination. For a fresh approach to reading the Bible and discovering how its stories connect to your own, start by learning to see God as the master storyteller.

Daniel Schwabauer, ThD, teaches English at MidAmerica Nazarene University and writes award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels. He earned an MA in creative writing under science fiction legend James Gunn and completed his doctoral work in semiotic theology with Leonard Sweet. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife and dogs.

This event is presented through MNU’s Mabee Library.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.