Building Theological Narrative

In his book entitled Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman suggests that the brain likes simple stories.  As such, when looking at stories of success or failure, we generally tend to “exaggerate the role of skill and underestimate the part that luck played in the outcome” ().  For example, with regard to the rise of Google, Kahneman notes, “Of course there was a great deal fo skill in the Google story, but luck played a more important role in the actual event than it does in the telling of it.  And the more luck was involved, the less there is to be learned.”

I don’t disagree with Kahneman’s assessment of the human tendency to simplify stories, nor do I think he is wrong to suggest that there was more than skill involved in Google’s success.  So, if Kahneman is right about these two things, has he written a theological narrative…not quite.  Where I disagree with Kahneman is in the use of the word “luck.”  Ultimately, I don’t know much about Kahneman or his background.  I also use the word “luck” or “lucky” often.  It’s a shorthand way of acknowledging that something happened that wasn’t fully in your control and didn’t come about because you are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

When we think about crafting a theological narrative, however, luck is a bit harder to incorporate.  We know that God is not a puppet master and that, while he knows all things in advance, human actions are not determined.  Humans make real choices and God interacts with those choices to bring about good for all those who love him.  We also know that God can and does interact and, at times, intervene.  We have, for instance, the narration of miracles in the Gospels and other writings.

So, how do we go about telling a theological narrative?  While I don’t think I can offer an exhaustive answer, I will suggest a few elements that seem to me to be important to tell a theological narrative that is true to the way in which God reveals himself in the Scriptures.

1. Faithful representation of God’s interaction with the world- We have to portray God rightly.  We may not have to describe his acts explicitly (note that the Book of Esther doesn’t contain the name of God, yet it is still considered a theological narrative), but we cannot misrepresent who God is by attributing acts or motives to him that are not fitting of his character.  In addition, we cannot attribute to some other force (e.g  luck, fate, destiny, etc.) works that are actually performed by God.

2. Realistic portrayal of the human condition- As we seek to tell a theological narrative, we need not demonize humanity or a particular human being, nor must we set humanity or a particular human being on a pedestal.  Humans are not perfect, but we do act well in certain instances.  Being realistic in our portal of humankind allows us to showcase God’s ongoing relationship with his creation.  Biblically, we see a great example of this sort of realistic portrayal in the life of David, in the Psalms, and in the faithful suffering of Job and Jeremiah.  We see many of those in Scritpure struggling to understand why they are suffering despite their innocence before God, as well as questioning how God can allow the wicked to prosper when all they do is oppose him.

3. Interested reading of events-  This final element may seem a bit strange as “interested” or “biased” readings are often discouraged.  I think in this case, however, an interested reading is important as long as it is interested in the right thing…glorifying God.  Theological narratives are not tirades against other people, structures, or systems.  While they can be full of emotion and even express anger against others, they are ultimately interested in bringing glory to God, connecting more deeply with him, and celebrating the relationship we have with him.

As I noted, these four  elements may not be the only elements of a theological narrative, but I do believe that they are important elements.  When you seek to think about the world around you from a theological perspective, keep in mind that your vision of reality is shaped by your experience, by your community, and by the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are the final authority for life and faith as they are the word of God given to us to help us understand who God is, who we are, and how who God is impacts the way we interact with the world around us.