Storytellers

In "Who's Afraid of Postmodernism", James K. A. Smith breaks down some commonly miscontrued "bumper sticker" views of Postmodern thinkers Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault and puts them in their proper contexts to help believers understand how postermodernism can actually help revitalize the Church. One of the "bumper stickers" Smith seeks to recontextualize for us is Jean-Francois Lyotard's claim that "Postmoderism is incredulity towards metanarratives". This statement seems, on the surface, to reject the Biblical narrative as being a source of reliable truth, but Smith breaks down Lyotard's thought process to show that storytelling is at the core of all belief systems. The issue is whether or not the story can be validated in itself or needs outside validation to be counted as sound. The "metanarrative" is such that is relies on something outside itself (another narrative) in order to be validated. The Bible, therefore, is not metanarrative, however, it is narrative. "...the biblical narrative and Christian faith claim to be legitimated not by an appeal to a universal, autonomous reason but rather by an appeal to faith" (Smith, 68). Smith goes on to unpack Lyotard's claim as supporting Christianity since Christianity is a religion based on narrative and storytelling: "By calling into question the very ideal of universal, autonomous reason (which was, in the Enlightenment, the basis for rejecting religious thought) and further demonstrating that all knowledge is grounded in narrative or myth, Lyotard relativizes (secular) philosophy's claim to autonomy and so grants the legitimacy of a philosophy that grounds itself in Christian faith" (Smith, 73). Smith ends the chapter by declaring that "Our storytelling should be supported by our story living" (Smith, 79), a challenge to all of us that what we proclaim should be backed up by how we live.

This particular chapter caught my attention and reinspired a thought that had crossed my mind months before: the importance of storytelling in the Christian faith. Smith makes this remark about the Bible: "...isn't it curious that God's revelation to humanity is given not as a collection of propositions or facts but rather within a narrative-- a grand sweeping story from Genesis to Revelation" (Smith, 74)? How often do we limit our faith "to biblical information that can be encapsulated and encoded" (Smith, 74)? How often do we forget the story God has weaved in our lives to bring us to Him? How often do we think we're spiritually "okay" because we know Scripture and theology but don't let it affect how we live?

I used to say I wish I had a better testimony. Something that radically demonstrated God's power to redeem. My mother pointed out to me a powerful truth: "God has the power to keep, and the power to save." Just because I don't have a "storied" past that exemplifies God's amazing power to redeem from addictions or the like doesn't mean that I don't have a powerful story. Keep that in mind: we all have a story, and God has given it to us for a reason. Your experiences, your struggles, your mistakes, your shame, your heartache has all been allowed to enter your life for a purpose: to bring you and those you come in contact with to Christ. The Christian life is one of stories: stories of redemption, stories of healing, stories of forgiveness, stories of triumph, stories of reconciliation, stories of hope. What's your story? How does God want to use your story to bring others to Him? Are you living your story, or just simply telling it?

Next time you think God can't use your story, read about Joseph or Abraham or Jonah or Job. Read about the martyrs in the early church or Christians like Corrie ten Boom during the holocaust who risked everything who the sake of bringing Christ to others. Your story matters. Your story can make a difference. How are you going to let your story end?