Character Theology provides a natural, universal way for the world to engage God through his chosen cast of characters.
As the media eras continue to change (oral to print to digital-virtual), too many Bible scholars, and consequently pastors and Bible teachers in the West and beyond, lack capability to effectively communicate Scripture to Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. These generations find little if any relevance in the Christianity promoted by those stuck in modernity's sticky abstract systematic theology.
Character Theology relates, sticks, and transforms these generations. Why? Because people grasp and engage God most naturally and precisely through his interaction with biblical characters and their interaction with each other! Characters communicate the Creator's characteristics. The roadmap to the recovery and expansion of Christianity in the twenty-first century will be through Bible characters.

Tom Steffen is professor emeritus of intercultural studies at the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Biola University. He specializes in church multiplication, orality, honor and shame, and business as mission. Some of his books include Passing the Baton, Reconnecting God's Story to Ministry, Great Commission Companies (with Steve Rundle), Encountering Missionary Life and Work (with Lois McKinney Douglas), and The Facilitative Era.
Bill Bjoraker, PhD Fuller Theological Seminary, served in pastoral and teaching roles in Israel for eight years in the 1980s. He is ordained with the Assemblies of God and is on faculty at William Carey International University. He is a specialist in Jewish studies and has employed oral strategies and storytelling in teaching the Bible in academia and in Jewish ministry since 2008.