God's Grand Narrative by Denise Morris on 01/16/2012 at 9:12 AM

I'm on a Sherlock Holmes kick, you guys. I just saw the second Robert Downey Jr. movie, and then I watched the recent BBC iteration Sherlock, which portrays old Holmes and Watson in modern-day England. After watching so many versions of the stories, I figured I should actually read the originals, so I picked up a book including some of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Like I said, I'm on a kick.

One of the reasons I've been so intrigued by Sherlock is that the stories are clever. There are twists and turns, and Holmes has the keen ability to notice things no one else does. He solves mysteries because he deduces what's going on in the situation — he sees minute details, and from these clues he deduces the most logical explanation for how someone got mud on their shoes or why someone's profession is in the medical field. Holmes notices the story going on around him.

I'm fascinated by a good plot; I love seeing the twists and turns that come with an intriguing story. I can't help but "ooh" and "aah" as I see how an intricate plot begins to come together.

I used to read the Bible in bits and pieces. I would memorize a few sayings of Paul's because I found them useful to my personal life. I would read a Psalm or two for inspiration, and if I had time, I might catch up on a chapter of Genesis or Ruth. But since I've started looking into the Bible more, and as I've learned more about context and eastern thought through my biblical studies degree, I've seen much more clearly the big story that God is telling through His Word. The bits and pieces -- the details and clues -- are all words and sentences and chapters in this grand narrative of God. Parts of it are mysterious. Some of it is not easily figured out or solved. It's such an intricate story, such a magnificent plot. 

I am intrigued by things like Sherlock Holmes or the Harry Potter series or a show like LOST because they tell such complex stories. They remind me of the intricate narrative that God has told through His Word -- that He continues to tell through His people and through the eventual redemption and restoration Christ will bring with His return. When you read the Bible as a whole -- when you see the creation as it was meant to be, the fall, the covenant promises of God, the trials and triumphs of Israel, the birth of Christ, the cross, the resurrection, the disciples' zeal for the spread of the Gospel, the hope of Christ's return -- you see this amazing story that God is telling. It is fascinating to read Scripture and notice the details, notice the clues, notice what God has been doing from beginning to end. It's such a good story, you guys.

So when you read the Bible, remember that Scripture is telling us God's story. It's a fascinating story with twists and turns and surprising plots. Read it as such: God's plan, God's novel, God's true story with a wonderful beginning, middle and end.

God's Grand Narrative by Denise Morris on 01/16/2012 at 9:12 AM

I'm on a Sherlock Holmes kick, you guys. I just saw the second Robert Downey Jr. movie, and then I watched the recent BBC iteration Sherlock, which portrays old Holmes and Watson in modern-day England. After watching so many versions of the stories, I figured I should actually read the originals, so I picked up a book including some of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Like I said, I'm on a kick.

One of the reasons I've been so intrigued by Sherlock is that the stories are clever. There are twists and turns, and Holmes has the keen ability to notice things no one else does. He solves mysteries because he deduces what's going on in the situation — he sees minute details, and from these clues he deduces the most logical explanation for how someone got mud on their shoes or why someone's profession is in the medical field. Holmes notices the story going on around him.

I'm fascinated by a good plot; I love seeing the twists and turns that come with an intriguing story. I can't help but "ooh" and "aah" as I see how an intricate plot begins to come together.

I used to read the Bible in bits and pieces. I would memorize a few sayings of Paul's because I found them useful to my personal life. I would read a Psalm or two for inspiration, and if I had time, I might catch up on a chapter of Genesis or Ruth. But since I've started looking into the Bible more, and as I've learned more about context and eastern thought through my biblical studies degree, I've seen much more clearly the big story that God is telling through His Word. The bits and pieces -- the details and clues -- are all words and sentences and chapters in this grand narrative of God. Parts of it are mysterious. Some of it is not easily figured out or solved. It's such an intricate story, such a magnificent plot. 

I am intrigued by things like Sherlock Holmes or the Harry Potter series or a show like LOST because they tell such complex stories. They remind me of the intricate narrative that God has told through His Word -- that He continues to tell through His people and through the eventual redemption and restoration Christ will bring with His return. When you read the Bible as a whole -- when you see the creation as it was meant to be, the fall, the covenant promises of God, the trials and triumphs of Israel, the birth of Christ, the cross, the resurrection, the disciples' zeal for the spread of the Gospel, the hope of Christ's return -- you see this amazing story that God is telling. It is fascinating to read Scripture and notice the details, notice the clues, notice what God has been doing from beginning to end. It's such a good story, you guys.

So when you read the Bible, remember that Scripture is telling us God's story. It's a fascinating story with twists and turns and surprising plots. Read it as such: God's plan, God's novel, God's true story with a wonderful beginning, middle and end.

Comments

[1. Rachel said the following at 1:06 PM on Jan 16:]

1

Totally! Reminds me of C.S. Lewis:
"When this Joy—this stab of inconsolable longing—is awakened by certain powerful “myths” or “stories,” it is evidence that behind these myths there is a true Myth, a true Story that really exists, and that the reason the Joy is desirable and inconsolable is that it’s not the real thing. The True Myth, the Real Joy is the original shout, so to speak, and the stories and myths of human making are only echoes."
It's amazing how much we can see of Christ in the stories of the world!

[2. Sarah said the following at 3:25 PM on Jan 16:]

2

I love Sherlock too! (the written form)
and I agree, it's very easy to read the Bible in small segments or pick a verse for the day. I've found it helps me get the larger perspective if I read Paul's letters in one sitting, or larger chunks of books, and then review it a while until I feel like I have a grasp of the whole message. Then maybe I pick out a few smaller verses for continued thinking/doing throughout the day.

[3. Will said the following at 7:12 PM on Jan 16:]

3

Thanks Denise for this well written post. I have been thinking lately more about this idea of what makes a good story.Often, I struggle to read the Word, and yet it it is so full of many different stories tied around this ongoing theme. It is so cool (and humbling) that God is the true Author, His story seems to mainly exalt Christ and our need for Him, and yet He writes us into His ongoing story as well. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts on seeing the Word as a great story regarding God and His character. It makes me think more about why my time in the Word many times is based around one brief excerpt from a devotional. Again, thank you and God bless you.

[4. laura grace said the following at 7:24 PM on Jan 16:]

4

Yes, yes, and YES. Love the RDJ version of Holmes, LOVE the modern-day Sherlock version, love the original books, love the Basil Rathbone radio dramas, love the Jeremy Brett tv series. Sherlock Holmes forever!

And a big "YES" to seeing the Scriptures -- and our lives -- as the story of God's rescuing love for his people. YES.

[5. KristenLP said the following at 2:36 PM on Jan 17:]

5

Thank you for this post! I have started some Chronological Bible Discipleship material (http://chronologicalbiblediscipleship.org/) in my women's small group this year and it is helping me to really consider the individual stories and the overall story God is telling in his Word. Connecting the biblical stories with recurring plot, thematic, and theological concepts helps you really reatain the information instead of just reading passages you have heard many times before. Plus you do start to get a "big picture" view of the Bible instead of bits and pieces here and there. Reading a chronological Bible can help you see the Bible in a new way also.

[6. Robin said the following at 6:03 PM on Jan 17:]

6

You may be missing another modern version of Sherlock Holmes. Did you know that the TV series "House" is based on Sherlock Holmes? The personality, his drug abuse, his sidekick (in the book Watson, on the show, Wilson) etc is all straight from the book!

[7. A Sister in Christ said the following at 11:05 AM on Jan 18:]

7

Based on the comments, I'm happy to know I'm not the only Sherlock Holmes geek out there :o) & @ Robin, yes I did know that :D

[1. Rachel said the following at 1:06 PM on Jan 16:]

1

Totally! Reminds me of C.S. Lewis:
"When this Joy—this stab of inconsolable longing—is awakened by certain powerful “myths” or “stories,” it is evidence that behind these myths there is a true Myth, a true Story that really exists, and that the reason the Joy is desirable and inconsolable is that it’s not the real thing. The True Myth, the Real Joy is the original shout, so to speak, and the stories and myths of human making are only echoes."
It's amazing how much we can see of Christ in the stories of the world!

[2. Sarah said the following at 3:25 PM on Jan 16:]

2

I love Sherlock too! (the written form)
and I agree, it's very easy to read the Bible in small segments or pick a verse for the day. I've found it helps me get the larger perspective if I read Paul's letters in one sitting, or larger chunks of books, and then review it a while until I feel like I have a grasp of the whole message. Then maybe I pick out a few smaller verses for continued thinking/doing throughout the day.

[3. Will said the following at 7:12 PM on Jan 16:]

3

Thanks Denise for this well written post. I have been thinking lately more about this idea of what makes a good story.Often, I struggle to read the Word, and yet it it is so full of many different stories tied around this ongoing theme. It is so cool (and humbling) that God is the true Author, His story seems to mainly exalt Christ and our need for Him, and yet He writes us into His ongoing story as well. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts on seeing the Word as a great story regarding God and His character. It makes me think more about why my time in the Word many times is based around one brief excerpt from a devotional. Again, thank you and God bless you.

[4. laura grace said the following at 7:24 PM on Jan 16:]

4

Yes, yes, and YES. Love the RDJ version of Holmes, LOVE the modern-day Sherlock version, love the original books, love the Basil Rathbone radio dramas, love the Jeremy Brett tv series. Sherlock Holmes forever!

And a big "YES" to seeing the Scriptures -- and our lives -- as the story of God's rescuing love for his people. YES.

[5. KristenLP said the following at 2:36 PM on Jan 17:]

5

Thank you for this post! I have started some Chronological Bible Discipleship material (http://chronologicalbiblediscipleship.org/) in my women's small group this year and it is helping me to really consider the individual stories and the overall story God is telling in his Word. Connecting the biblical stories with recurring plot, thematic, and theological concepts helps you really reatain the information instead of just reading passages you have heard many times before. Plus you do start to get a "big picture" view of the Bible instead of bits and pieces here and there. Reading a chronological Bible can help you see the Bible in a new way also.

[6. Robin said the following at 6:03 PM on Jan 17:]

6

You may be missing another modern version of Sherlock Holmes. Did you know that the TV series "House" is based on Sherlock Holmes? The personality, his drug abuse, his sidekick (in the book Watson, on the show, Wilson) etc is all straight from the book!

[7. A Sister in Christ said the following at 11:05 AM on Jan 18:]

7

Based on the comments, I'm happy to know I'm not the only Sherlock Holmes geek out there :o) & @ Robin, yes I did know that :D