For Christians, God’s Word is the authoritative source for our understanding of God, self, and the world. A concern, however, is the temptation to rely on cultural voices to reframe human experiences rather than God’s story. As many have written, the Bible is God’s speech that is intended to be followed in life. See Kevin Vanhoozer’s Hearers & Doers and Andrew Abernethy’s Savoring Scripture. Some biblical teachings, such as commandments, are direct, but what about other parts of the Bible that are overlooked for wisdom regarding personal struggles? Some Christians pick and choose which passages or genres are relevant for practical applications.
This paper seeks to assert the value of historical narratives in offering a better story to reframe human experiences of suffering. It will identify common themes in historical narratives that are significant for the care of souls as well as practical suggestions. In doing so, one of the goals is to preserve biblical authority in comprehending life from God’s perspective through historical narratives.
Historical narratives are real stories that point people to Christ. As Rob Plummer states, “the purpose of the narrative is to bring the reader to submit to God in Christ” (40 Questions). Historical narratives point to God as a frame of reference in interpreting the self and the world. Several examples will be provided as ways to reframe human experiences of suffering from a biblical perspective, considering less popular stories.
Stories are powerful for motivation, comfort, and conviction. In the contemporary culture, social media provides examples of people who build communities through stories of shared experiences and vulnerabilities. A connection is established with the familiarity. If unguarded, such communities are granted authority for wisdom in life, shaping an individual’s identity and perspective. In addition, the practice of narrative therapy supports the power of stories in changing a person’s life. Given these examples, historical narratives could be used in caring for souls to point people to the gospel for true change and hope.