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The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God. By Timothy G. Gombis. Grand Rapids: InterVarsity, 2010, 188 pp., $20.00 paper.
At just under 200 pages, Timothy G. Gombis's book on Ephesians is not a heavyweight commentary-and that is exactly as he wants it. His work, The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God, has two goals: to recon3gure the commonly held assumptions about the nature and structure of Ephesians and to reimagine the church for today. In both cases, he guides the reader through his argument in a convincing manner as he makes the case for a dramatic reading of Ephesians that highlights the responsibilities of the church as "gospel players" (p. 181). This book grew not only from his dissertation work but also from his urban ministry. These experiences, especially the disappointments despite good will and hard work, contribute to Gombis's insights into Paul's ecclesiology and eschatology.
In his 3rst of seven chapters, he lays out his reading strategy for Ephesians. According to Gombis, the epistle should be read as a drama (a narrative approach), having an apocalyptic function and following the pattern of divine warfare. The apocalyptic function highlights God's triumph over all evil as well as provides the narrative structure from...