How do stories reveal God to us? When looking to learn about God, people rarely think about classic science fiction. They don’t often reach for large fantasy books. (What Brandon Sanderson calls Chihuahua killers). Some refuse to step outside of the old King James Version Bible on their church podium. Others allow for Christian non-fiction, the words of a wise friend, worship songs, and maybe, if they are feeling brave, a fellow church member’s prophetic vision. I would argue, however, that even the most secular book can give value to a discerning Christian.
Stories Reveal God in His Love for Them
One of my favorite quotes of all time is a tagline for the Jesus Storybook Bible.
The quote reads: “Every story whispers His name.”
Of course, this quote is specific to this children’s Bible in particular and a general theological stance. It’s a statement about how all scriptures point to the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. One cannot necessarily apply it more broadly to stories in general. It would become less potent if it were. Many stories don’t reveal anything meaningful about Christ.
Yet, as an author focusing on the secular market with her science fiction and fantasy, this quote gives me comfort. I want to believe my stories reveal God to my readers, even if His name isn’t blatantly preached
Scripture tells us “in Him, all things were created: things in heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:15-17)
We also read that “God’s invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:19-20)
While these scriptures are first and foremost speaking to the physical world around us, I believe they also say much to the less obvious parts of creation. There are many things that don’t take physical form and still are the result of the creation. For example, all history belongs to God. The basics of family structure. Heroes and villains. Culture, science, theology, and politics. All these things fill out the created world, and also make up an essential part of good storytelling.
We know that God loves stories. There are many instances in scripture of how stories reveal God. He chooses to reveal Himself to us first and foremost through a book. The story of His Son, told over and over. Many instances of Christ’s preaching utilized stories to reveal God in the form of parables. Throughout the Old Testament, God encouraged his chosen people to remember Him through stories, art, and illustrations of His deeds.
Art, in general, is a powerful force in scripture. Be it songs, visual illustrations like the textiles of Jacob’s coat, the carvings on the Ark of the Covenant, or the dance moves of an incredibly joyful (and nearly naked) King David. It’s so essential, in fact, that the first instance we see of the Holy Spirit descending on a human being was in art. (Exodus 31:1-3)
God loves stories. Art is one of many ways He chooses to speak to His people.
Stories Reveal God in How He Wired Us for Story
Our creator wired our brains to interact with stories. Did you know that our brain cannot tell between reality and story? On a cognitive level, we can sort out the difference between truth and lies. On a chemical level, it’s all the same to us. This is why you may cry when a character dies before he’s able to see his son one last time. Or get angry when a king’s foolish choice costs a loyal warrior his life.
Our brains release chemicals like cortisol, dopamine, and oxytocin in response to fiction. These hormones stabilize our mood, establish emotions in our bodies, and create responses like empathy, creativity, problem-solving, focus, and more.
Some studies indicate we put ourselves in a character’s position when we are engaged in a well-developed story. We experience the events of the story along with the characters, reinforcing essential neural pathways in our brains as we do. These pathways govern everything from how we experience pleasure, to how we define right and wrong, to how we see the world.
When a detective sorts through a pile of evidence, we put together the puzzle pieces with her. A fictional husband and wife supporting each other through heart-break, can teach us a new way to deal with grief. The scientist horrified to find the technology he created is being used in genocide against a hidden minority shows the value of human life.
Furthermore, memories are held much longer when multiple parts of our brain work together. Engaging emotions allows us to hold on to things that might normally pass us by. The same engagement within the brain’s hemispheres can foster healing and growth.
You may not remember what you ate for breakfast two weeks ago, but a character’s struggle to save a dying friend may arise again into your mind for years. In my own experience, there are books responsible for more emotional healing in me than any number of sessions with a skilled therapist. This doesn’t diminish the value of the therapist, but it does show you the value of a good book.
For a seemingly frivolous thing, stories hold the keys to a powerful set of tools for emotional, spiritual, and even physical health.
Stories Reveal God in How They Impact Humankind
If this alone isn’t enough to impress the importance of story on you, experience can fill in the gaps. You probably have personal examples of stories impacting your life. This is indictive of the human experience at large.
One of the highest indicators for the emotional health of a parent-child bond, for instance, is whether they read books together.
Scientists have found that reading classical books markedly increases a person’s capacity for empathy.
The invention of the printing press, and the ability for books to be more widely available as a result, is factor in the end of the Dark Ages, and the torturous and grotesque executions that were so common.
The Protestant Reformation was horribly bloody, but also led to some of the greatest advancements in theology, science, and human rights in the history of the world. It would never have happened if the scriptures were not translated into the languages of the common man.
A wider distribution of books and the spread of literacy precipitated the rise of the European Scientific and Industrial Enlightenment.
David Brainard’s autobiography has been one of the most cited motivators for Christian missions around the globe.
Many believe Lincoln’s willingness to fight a war and divide a nation to free black Americans as well as with a rise of anti-slavery sympathies is due to Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
In my own life, Pilgrim’s Progress, The Lord of the Rings, the children’s science fiction series Mars Diaries, along with many other books, have built my worldview. My relationship with Christ and with my fellow human beings has been built on a foundation of the written word.
Illuminated Scriptures
During the Middle Ages monks spent a large portion of their lives preserving scripture in gorgeous, hand-written tomes in rooms called Scriptoriums. Beautiful illustrations painted in gold and bright colors adorn many of these books. Because of the way these pictures seem to shine, these books have become known as “illuminated texts” or “illuminated scriptures.”
In the English language, when we tell a story to make a point, we often refer to it as an illustration. However, in the language I grew up with, it’s called a “tok piksa” or, literally translated, “a picture of words.”
When I sit down to watch a movie, or when I crack open a book, or when I open my computer to work on my next book, that’s what I see. A picture of words. An illustrated gospel.
No stories will reveal God like the Bible. It is His chosen form of revelation in the world today. Some fictional illustrations connect to scripture very obviously, like Lewis’s Narnia Series. You may have to squint to see Him in others. Others still are a better indication of what life is like without God. If anything they serve to depict how much we need to understand God-given things like objective morality, hope, and purpose.
I will argue that you never waste time when you look for God in a fictional setting. Once you do, you may learn to look at many things differently than you ever have before.
That is what I’d like to do in our time together. I encourage you to hold speculative fiction stories up to the light and see how the stories reveal God in ways no non-fiction book could. I would like to listen and hear them whisper His name.
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