The Gospel Is More Than a Story

I am halfway through a new version of the Bible, a much-hyped story version that's streamlined to highlight the overall plot: God's story of redemption. I'm so busy trying to follow the narrative, I hardly miss the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and all the non-narrative books that have been largely excised. But as a university teacher of narrative, I find the plot too slow and convoluted.

I'm disappointed until I remember: Oh yes! There are already novelized versions! Many of their narratives are better!

Just 18 years ago, Robert Weathers noted that most evangelicals were "baffled" by the growing literary interest in the Bible. The bafflement is over. Journals are abuzz with narrative theology. Church mission statements are increasingly presented as "narratives."

In the past ten years, especially in the past five, dozens of authors have called for readers to see the Scriptures as narrative and particularly to read the Bible as a single story. Their books include The Story, The Heart of the Story, The Bible in Brief: The Story from Adam to Armageddon, The True Story of the Whole World: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Drama, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative, and many others. A growing number of pastors and theologians attack doctrinal and propositional readings of Scripture. Derek Flood, in his 2011 Huffington Post article "Why Faith Is a Story, Not Doctrine," sums up for many the new slant on Christianity: "Christian faith is not primarily about arguing over right beliefs and doctrines, it is about letting the story of God's grace become our story and shape our lives."

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Evermyrtle

There are some of these versions which follow fairly close the TRUE WORD but there are some that have twisted the truth and left out sections because, according to the writer, is not important, until it is nothing but trash and should be treated as such. When we decide to try out new versions we need to keep this in mind, and disregard the lies and twisted material, that you find there. If you have doubts, just go to the old standbys like the KJV.
Wesley

the entire Bible is God's redemption story of His creation. Genesis tells about the fall of man and the rest or the story is how God worked towards his redemption of creation at the cross of Jesus Christ and ends with the last chapter of Revelation with the resurrection of all the dead to be judged to one of two places of the persons choosing. knowing the essentials of the faith mentioned in the creeds of the faith frees a person to see how the entire Bible is one continuous story of Christ redemption of the entire world.
Dan

I think that the article misses the point. While not perfect these "story" type of explanations of the Bible encourage people to go further into the Bible. The Bible comes across as easier to understand and actually promotes our Savior and the way to salvation. One thing that has driven people away from the church are all the intellectuals telling you "how" to be a Christian and "how" to read or interpret. There is only one way to salvation. Anything that improves people's basic understanding of their requirement to believe is acceptable

Jesus's message is easy to understand and accept. Why drive people away when they are trying to learn. Let God deal with it.
Evermyrtle

It is really not only a story book, it tells us the story of the creation, a history of world events , and the WORD OF GOD" with all of HIS commandments and patterns by which HIS people by which are to live!!
John Munro

When satan creeps into your life and suddenly you begin responding as if you hate Jesus. This should be a wake up call? What has Satan done for you? He comes to steal kill and destroy.
Jesus teaches to Love God with you whole heart soul and mind and strength. He also sayes to love your enemies pray for those who percuit you. So where is there room for hate? Can you honestly show anger and hatred for some who is so campassionate and loving twards you?
John Munro

The mosques are being built in many places. I never hear anything good about that. It is the people who seem to be angry tward God who help these mosques to appear.I say history tells the truth friend or foe? There is a religous side, Political side and military side. They are teaching children overseas that kindness is weakness. Obama has helped us apear weak to the terrorists. This is why all the bad things have stepped up including deaths for our military over seas. This society was created for people who are christians not one who can lie kill destroy for… Have you ever seen freedom in a Muslim country? Is it a good idea to give freedom to people who intend to use the very freedom of our country to conquor us? Should they be in our Government ? Ever study history?
There is a good book on the market called what every American needs to Know about the koran.
Most of us are historically challanged!