The story of the Bible
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Have you ever sat through a movie where the person next to you asks questions about the plot and characters? I have to confess there’s been times when I’ve been that person. I think I have learnt to stay quiet and not spoil the enjoyment for others. I’m always hoping that as the drama unfolds, I’ll catch up and it’ll make sense.
The musical Hamilton has recently become available to Disney Plus audiences, and I highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic musical. Well deserving of its accolades and recognition. What I didn’t know before watching it is that Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of America. I’ll confess my American history is limited to something of a Boston Tea Party, and July 4th is Independence Day. My earliest knowledge coming from The Dukes of Hazard, and The A Team at Saturday teatime, with a little of John Wayne Westerns thrown in.
So, you can see I have a lot to catch up on!
It’s not unlike Marvel’s Avengers Endgame. I stumbled into the middle of the film and actually stopped, vowing to catch up with other movies first. There’s so many characters and references to previous storylines that if you come into Marvel’s Endgame as your first encounter with Iron Man, Captain America, Thor or the Hulk, then you really are going to be confused (as I was), and missing out on a lot.
Something similar happens when we read the stories in the Bible. If they’re unfamiliar because it’s been a long time, or just that you never heard them, it can be easy to miss the significance of people, places, or events. Just like knowing the backstory of Captain America, or why only Thor can lift the hammer, there’s a back story and a forward story in the Bible. All the past stories of Moses and the Burning Bush, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion’s Den have been leading up to this point towards someone greater, towards a God who is unfolding his plan.
Stan Lee would always make a cameo appearance in his movies, sometimes with a speaking part, sometimes not. (I only noticed this when someone pointed it out me! And from then on, I always looked for him.) The author of the story or film producer is able to write a part for himself in the story. The author of the musical Hamilton, Lin Manuel Miranda, also plays the lead role of Alexander Hamilton.
But with God it is different. God, the author places Himself in the centre of His story, not a cameo role but as the lead. It’s a story about Himself and His creation, of a people chosen to follow Him who rebel and walk away, as He raises up leaders to lead the people. It is a story of truly epic proportions. All this and more in the Old Testament speaking promises of One who would come to them. And then we see Jesus, God the Son, take on human form and follow His life, death, and resurrection! Such an incredible story!
Now in case you’re thinking I’m equating Marvel comics with the Bible, I’m not. I’m arguing from lesser to greater: from man-made to divinely inspired; from Stan Lee’s imagination, to God’s creation; from one man’s lifespan to God’s word breathed out over 1500 years, by 40 different authors- kings, shepherds, fishermen, government officials, doctors, priests, farmers.
In my next blog I’ll give you some tips on how to get started, and some books that you might find helpful. But if you’re keen to get started, pick up the Bible and start with one of the gospels, remind yourself of those stories you heard of feeding the 5,000, of healing the blind man, or calming the storm. Or start in Genesis and read the story of creation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Bible is a book of narratives, poetry, songs, letters, and gospels. I won’t say it’s always an easy read, or something which is easily comprehended but I will say this-it’s worthwhile!
Because as you read, you’ll meet with the living God.
