What Makes a Great Story

 

People Are Built for Stories

True stories and fictional stories. This is so much the case that entertainment is among the biggest industries in the modern world, and it is all stories. This is true for every kind of entertainment. A game of chess is a sort of a story played out before your eyes - which kingdom will win the war? The story of a great chess player like Magnus Carlson or Bobby Fischer can capture the imagination of the world.

I have never watched much in the way of sports until a wise friend explained it is just a story as well. Heroes rise up and lead teams of men from nothing to greatness. They overcome difficulties and make great franchises that then get defeated by other teams who dig deep and overcome odds. It changed my perspective on the whole industry.

The Shape of a Story

The plot of a story can often be charted with a simple curve. The introduction of characters and conflict (Act I), the rising action (Act II), and the resolution/conclusion (Act III). This is true of a sports season as it is of a great novel, poetry, or music. The ending may be happy for the main characters, or it may be tragic. The important thing to the viewer is whether that ending is satisfying. That is what matters when all is said and done. So To Kill a Mockingbird, Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, and Lord of the Rings are all great stories with satisfying endings though they all are very different in their effect on readers. Similarly, stories like Lost, Game of Thrones, and The Dark Tower fail to stick the landing to the point that most readers feel robbed of their time and investment. We are built by God to recognize a good conclusion - comic or tragic.

A New Perspective on Romans

These thoughts were all brought about by a comment by my good friend E. Dane Rogers who pointed out that Romans 9–11 is not a parenthesis but the climax of the book of Romans. This was a jolt to my perspective on this amazing book.

The First Section of Romans – Personal Salvation (Romans 1–8)

First some background. Romans is divided into three major sections, depending on how you slice it. The first eight chapters deal with the issue of personal salvation. Walking clearly and precisely through mankind's need for salvation (Romans 3:9–23), the provision of Christ (Romans 3:24–26; 5:6–11), salvation by Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Romans 4:1–5; 5:1). Then moving on to the issues of sanctification (or Christian growth) (Romans 6:1–14; 8:1–13) and glorification (the future hope of every believer) (Romans 8:18–30). It is the most clear synopsis of the Christian life, all in one place.

The Middle Section – God’s Plan for Israel (Romans 9–11)

Then along comes Romans 9–11 and everything changes. Usually, Paul's letters have two sections - the first theological the second practical. But Romans has another section in the middle that seems a bit surprising. He begins to discuss the situation with God's chosen earthly people Israel (Romans 9:4–5). Explaining their past, present, and future.

In the past they were chosen by God, but rebellious (Romans 9:30–33). In the present they are still chosen by God, but rejecting the Messiah (Romans 10:1–4; 11:7–10). In the future they will be drawn back to faith in Him by the coming tribulation and will call out to the Messiah (Romans 11:25–27).

I had always thought that this was to answer the simple question: If God made promises to Israel of land, seed, and blessing (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:5–7; 17:7–8), and those didn't come through then how can we trust God for the amazing salvation that was just explained?

God’s Promises to Israel

These chapters DO answer that question - resoundingly. All of God's promises are "YES!" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20) and He will fulfill all of the promises of His covenants with Israel (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Palestinian, and Davidic) (Genesis 12; Exodus 19–24; Deuteronomy 30:1–10; 2 Samuel 7:12–16) in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) that will be fully enacted in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ on Earth (Revelation 20:1–6).

The Church Within the Larger Plan of God

Yet, even that explanation is too short-sighted. Romans 9–11 explains this entire church story has a place in the larger plan of God to bring redemption to the world. The founding and redemption of the Church is a key part in God's plan to call the nation of Israel back to Himself (Romans 11:11–15), and bring about the glorious reign of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:26–27). God's faithfulness is one of the great themes of the Bible (Lamentations 3:22–23). Yet these chapters complete the entirety of human history, and it is a very satisfying conclusion!

The Climax of the Biblical Story

The ending of this story is already written in the sovereign mind of God Who is unconstrained by time and space (Isaiah 46:9–10). There are yet many details that we have yet to discover as it unfolds (Deuteronomy 29:29). The nation of Israel is one of the main characters in this great cosmic drama - and God is not done with His loving pursuit of, and provision for, His earthly people (Romans 11:28–29).

These three chapters in the book of Romans bring the entire narrative of scripture together. It is the climax of the book of Romans because it loops the story of the Church into the plan of God for the ages. It is the climax of the book because it brings us to the climax of all of human history.