welcome to the story.

A response in my online class to the question of how we can communicate in a style that this generation connects with. Me: Perhaps it would be wise of us to rediscover the role of narratives in our communication of Truth. While I love good, systematic theology as much as any other seminary student, maybe we've gone to far in our diagramming, alliteration, sub points, and organization of what in its purest form is a love story. In today's cultural climate, where everything is explained down to the letter, why don't we rediscover the story of God in narrative form? In our attempt to expound the Scriptures, I'm afraid we may have in fact reduced them in a manner that shadows the scientific world in their "over"-explanation and "over"-analysis of life. While I think we need to know the "scientific" meanings of life and the deeper "explanations" of Scripture, maybe we need to look at God not as an object to be studied, but a Subject to whom which we have entered into story with. Its a shame that children understand and grasp this story better than we do. But we of course are wiser because we've systemized the story (sarcasm implied yet again). Mike Kinnebrew�s Response: I agree with what you said, but I would like to add that both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. People abuse the "narrative" approach to CE just as much as they do the "systematic" approach. Being at NPCC, you see the positive results of that type of teaching, but one does not have to look very far to see the abuse of the same. As long as Christian Education is done by humans, it will be abused and misused. Andy is a great story teller -- so is Louie. People like that are few and far between. People like MacArthur and Piper are great point by point, stick to the outline, teachers. People like them are few and far between. I think we need to be careful not to elevate one style over another. Pastors and teachers just need to find the approach that fits them best and enables them to communicate the truth of God's Word the best. Nothing is worse than listening to a pastor try to pawn himself off as something he isn't. It would be wrong to suggest that Andy communicates God Word more effectively that MacArthur because he's more of a narrator. It would be equally wrong to presume that Piper is a better teacher than Louie because he's a systematic teacher. People teach in different ways, which is good considering that people learn in different ways. Me: I agree Mike. As in everything with our faith, we have to blend the two and walk a tightrope down the middle without going to far in either direction. My post was just suggesting that perhaps we have gone to far in the direction of systematic over the last hundred or so years. In a time, today, when there are no more good stories, no stories with meaning, truth, and beauty. Only stories of lie and deceit and ruined marriages, I think it would be great if the church could begin to narrate The Story that brings meaning to the world. I'm just afraid that at times, we've gone to far in the direction of systematically explaining everything that we've sucked the life out of God's unfolding story of redemption. But like you said, we can definitely go to far in the other direction where we don't teach good theology at the expense of a "feel-good" story which is what some consider "good" preaching. The challenge is to deliver systematic truths in a narrative way, not detaching them from Scripture, but showing them as pieces of the puzzle, landmarks on the journey. And to deliver the good story in a way that highlights and accents systematic truth. And I don't know about you, but I'll take Piper any day. I don't care if he's got 45 points that all start with 'P'! Mike, I really respect your thoughts and wisdom. What role do you think these two different forms of communication will play in the emerging cultural climate? Whereas everybody used to know our story so we could begin with teaching "deep" doctrine and theology (systematically), now our story is almost foreign to North America. We are almost missionaries today in our country because no one has a clue about God's redemptive plan. At what point do we start in the story? Do we go narrative (as we would when we share with kids) or do we go systematic? I don't know myself. Just thinking out loud. Mike�s Response: "...just suggesting that perhaps we have gone too far in the direction of systematic over the last hundred or so years. In a time, today, when there are no more good stories, no stories with meaning, truth, and beauty. Only stories of lie and deceit and ruined marriages, I think it would be great if the church could begin to narrate The Story that brings meaning to the world." Man, well said! Ravi Zacharias said that Jesus "fused all of life with meaning!" As for your question about where we are headed, I don't know. I'm not too gifted at stepping back and seeing the big picture. But I know about the kind of Christian leaders I think I see LRS producing. But even in this class it's easy to see a melting pot of approaches to ministry. I do know that my heart attaches to the description you gave above. Isn't it great that we can trust the Lord Jesus to take care of His bride! I'm just thrilled to be a part of it, and long to see others brought in. Me: "Jesus fused all of life with meaning!" Wow! Very reminiscent of Acts 17:28 and Colossians 1:16-17. Your post got me thinking again. I think instead of first telling people they are right or wrong, maybe we need to first begin with telling them their Story. If they don�t realize there is an overarching story that can give their life meaning, then they are not even going to believe �right and wrong� exist, let alone listen to our rants about how they should behave �right�. This method of evangelism worked effectively 100 years ago because everybody believed the Christian story, so they knew when they sinned . . . they knew what was �right and wrong.� But today, maybe the reason no one believes in �right and wrong� (and acts accordingly) is because they have no story that �fuses their life with meaning.� Perhaps that is one of the reason why relativism is so prevalent in our culture today. In the absence of any truth, meaning, and beauty that can only be found in God�s story, why should you believe in right or wrong? If you don�t even believe that there is a story out there that involves us as individuals and a community, then why not do whatever feels good, whenever you want to do it. Maybe we need to begin by laying the backdrop of our story before we begin talking about �rights and wrongs�. By re-teaching a story that many have never been taught or become disillusioned with, by re-narrating the unfolding story of God . . . maybe people can begin to find their identity in this story as individuals and a community. I�m not saying we don�t need to talk about right and wrong. I think we need now, more than ever, these claims about Truth. But I�m thinking out loud if this should be our starting point in today�s evangelism?