Setting (The Story of God)

Artwork by deviantmonk

In fiction, setting includes the time, location, circumstances, and characters, everything in which a story takes place, and provides the main backdrop and mood for a story. But stories are often more than fiction. In fact, as humans we tend to piece together and make sense of the moments in our lives in terms of stories that we tell about ourselves. As we tell the stories of our lives to others, we naturally provide the setting or backdrop against which everything is unfolding - “It was at the grocery store of all places where I met her…” “when I was at home last night the phone rang…”

While the Bible is 75% narrative, many Bible scholars and theologians remind us that the Bible is not just a random collection of stories pieced together over a few centuries. Rather, the Bible is the God-breathed unfolding Story of God that spans all of eternity. Not only is it the greatest and truest Story of all, it is a Story that invites us in and demands a response from us. The setting of this Story is larger than any stage or movie set ever constructed for the setting is comprised of all of creation. From the largest galaxies down to the tiniest sub-atomic particles, everything is the setting in which God’s glory is displayed. Even the humdrum moments of our lives provide the backdrop for the unfolding Story of God.

Michael Lodahl, in his book The Story of God says, “The Bible affirms that the God of Israel, who would later be unveiled decisively in Jesus Christ, is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is concerned with the who of creation…Genesis 1 is a narrative sermon against idolatry.”

From the outset of the Bible, we are made aware that the entire setting in which this grand story is about to unfold, is all created by God.

For today: Be hyper-aware of your surroundings and see them through the lens of a setting in which God’s Story is unfolding right now at this very moment. Does this change your perspective in your day to day routine?