The Singer Trilogy: The Mythic Retelling of the Story of the New Testament

This is one of those books I read over and over again. I have read it probably 20 times since my first reading. Calvin Miller puts biblical stories into narrative poems that are so well written they force you to turn the page again and again. This book is the first in the Singer Trilogy, followed by The Song and The Finale. It is a poetic retelling of three biblical books: The Singer parallels the 4 Gospels, The Song retells the story of Acts, and The Finale is Miller's version of the book of Revelation. Miller writes explicitly Christian fantasy in these books. He is also widely known for his non-fiction AND Christian life application books. The Singer is a powerful retelling of the life of Christ, where instead of Jesus and The Gospel you have the Singer and his song. His song, if you are open to it, can bring healing and restoration. The World-Hater, wants to destroy both the Singer and his star song. Miller's words moved me to tears the first time I encountered them. The story is so well written, it can be read over and over without losing its freshness. The book is also excellently illustrated by Chicago artist Joe DeVelasco. The drawings done in pen and Ink style add to the power of the story by transporting you into the events. No matter how many times over I reread this book, it is always fresh and new and draws me into the story of Christ in a different way. It is truly a classic and a treasure for any bookshelf. Each time I pick these up and reread them, I find a deepening of my relationship with Christ, and of my prayer life. Miller also has a Symphonic Trilogy that retells different stories from the book of Genesis. The two I owned were A Requiem for Love and A Symphony in Sand. As far as I can tell, there are also 2 stand-alone books by Miller in this style that are often compared to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Lewis's Narnia. They are The Valiant Papers, an account of a guardian angel's experiences, and The Philippian Fragment, the retelling of the book of Philippians from the New Testament. I have owned most of these and lent them out to not be returned. I now have The Singer Trilogy, Valiant, and Singer Trilogy 3-in-1 hardcover. Over the next few weeks I will review those I still have, but cannot encourage you strongly enough to pick them up if you find them in a used bookstore. They are all great. Over the next few weeks, I plan on reviewing some of the others that I still have from this author. And if I find the others again, I will review them. (It has just been too long since I lent them out and did not get them back for me to review them from memory.) Other Miller Books: The Singer The Song The Finale The Valiant Papers The Philippian Fragment (Currently OP)

It has been said that some read the Bible as a "user's manual" of rules and regulations for the things they should or should not do. In so doing, the law of God becomes a formula that turns God into a vending machine with the Christian dropping in the correct currency to gain what it is he wants. Such reading misses the entire point of scripture. Poetry is, in contrast, the language of love. Love does not look for formulae and doctrinal hair-splitting, love just pours itself out in sacrifice and adoration of its object expecting nothing in return. Calvin Miller reminds us of that underlying message of the gospel in the language of love so we cannot mistake it for something else. If you are a self-appointed doctrinal purity committee member, you will find a lot from this series to dislike; that is a given. But if the Bible to you is more love letter than user's manual, then you will find this series quite enjoyable and thought-provoking. The language itself is inspiring and enlightening. It will be hard for the poet in you to put it down once you begin.

I first read "The Singer" in 1974 on a trip from New Mexico to Memphis, and was profoundly moved by its writing style and its content. Since then I have read it many more times, have purchased many of Calvin Miller's other books, and have given them as gifts to people whom I know and love. Dr. Miller is a poet, a philosopher, and a deeply committed Christian who sees Christ as the God-Man and whose concepts encompass the divinity and the humanity of the One about Whom he writes. I can recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Simply beautiful. It is rare to find such an uplifting book in these dark times. Now it is more common to find a spoof of the life of Jesus than a Christian book based upon it. A must have for a fantasy lover as well. This is a lyrical collection of prose-poems that are a fantasy-like retelling of the the gospel. The first book is about the actual life of Christ and the crucifixtion. The second book is based upon the spreading of the gospel and the trials of early Christians. The final book of the trilogy is based upon Revelations. Once again, the language is simply beautiful.

I found a copy of this book while at a mens spiritual retreat at a Augustine compound. Have loved it ever since. It puts the testament into a new light.