The Power of Stories

 

The New Testament Scholar N. T. Wright said that stories provide a vital framework for experiencing the world. They also provide a means by which views of the world may be changed. “Stories are, actually, peculiarly good at modifying or subverting other stories and their worldviews.” -Vision of the Possible, p.275

 

            Myth and experience have a fascinating relationship. A culture’s experiences affect their mythology and their myths affect a culture’s experiences. This cyclical process is always in flux. The dynamic nature of experience is a topic that is not often discussed in conversations. N.T. Wright tells us that experience is scaffolded by stories (myths). The effect of this is that the same reality experienced by people with different mythologies can code distinctively different memories. Perception is highly impacted by the stories we tell ourselves. In fact, it takes intellectual effort and faith to hold to a singular understanding of reality.

            Why are memories so different within a group of common participants? This question is not easily answered. It is a complex problem where theologians, philosophers, linguists, psychologist, and neurologist rarely gain precious ground. The mysteries of human cognition do not give up their secrets easily.

            Where cognition intersects our work as church planters and missionaries is at the point of worldview. Conversion to Christ is a reorientation of one’s core worldview. Salvation requires a marked change in worldview or there is no rebirth of the soul.

            How is it possible for me to affect the unseen worldview of an individual? I cannot sway their soul or save them by my human will, but I can impact their story. Much of our world is mediated by language and humans are good at influencing the minds of others with the use of language. Language provides a powerful opportunity to present new stories, which are, then, either affirmed or negated by future experiences. However, new stories are not often completely rejected but refined through experience. New stories are not only affected by experience but by other stories already residing in a persons worldview. The deeper the story in a person’s worldview the more pressure it applies to new stories to get in line with the values and beliefs of more established stories.

            This process of story integration is most active in evangelism and discipleship not in salivation, which is true revelation. Story integration is a slow process, whereby truth is organized and false truths are exposed. This can remove barriers to salvation and accelerate spiritual growth but is insufficient to save. Salvation is not a cognitive process it is a work of the Holy Spirit.

            I have, too often, seen evangelism as a formula. Teach good stories to expel the bad stories and God must save the person based on my evangelistic expertise. This is far from reality. Early in my career as a missionary, I erred on the opposite side and presented an incomplete Gospel and expected that through prayer and the person’s desire to better their life, salvation was inevitable. A person cannot believe in what they have not been told (see Romans 10:14). Herein we see the interplay of our effort as ministers, man’s free will, and the action of the Holy Spirit.