Here is a section from "Theo-storying: Reflections on God, Narrative, and Culture." If interested, it is available by CLICKING HERE. Definitions As I have said or implied previously, there is no real agreement on definitions for the terms “myth” and “parable.” The term “myth” was used in chapter 5, but the definition used (as supplied …
Tag: theo-storying
The Tooth Fairy and My First Important Life Story
How many stories does a life have? I would like to suggest the following as the two possible correct answers: First, a very good answer is ZERO. Nada. Wala. We interact with the universe in near infinite ways in an approximately infinite number of moments in a span of time that connects eternities. Things happen …
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The Bible– God as Author and Actor
A story is: “an account of characters and events in a plot moving over time and space through conflict toward resolution.” The Bible obviously has characters and events, which takes place over time and space. It moves through conflict to resolution. To me, the bigger question is whether there is a plot. A plot to …
Defining Myth for Missionaries
The term "Myth" is very hard to define because so many people have investment in the term. It is used in anthropology, it is used in religious studies, it is used storytelling and literature. It is used by the scholar and the layman alike. But the meanings often differ. I teach in a seminary and …
Robert Alter Extended Quote
I recently been reading Robert Alter's book, "The Art of Biblical Narrative" (Basic Books, 1981). A few years ago, I wrote a book, "Theo-storying: Reflections on God, Narrative, and Culture." A friend of mine, who has since passed away suggested that I might benefit from Robert Alter's work on narrative in the Hebrew Bible. I …
Stories and Dialogue
Found a section of my old book Theo-storying that had stuff that I had forgotten about. I think I will have to update my book on Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) to include this. If I have time. Another thing that affects the impact of a story is the respondent's (or hearer's) attitude about stories. Let's return …
Theo-storying Again
Okay. I finally finished working on my wife and my have struggled with, off and on, for close to three years, Dynamics in Pastoral Counseling and Training. I have decided to start updating and fixing my previous books. I have decided to start with Theo-Storying: Reflections on God, Narrative, and Culture. Although it has actually …
Counter-cultural Contextual Storying
From Chapter of Same Name in Theo-Storying: Reflections on God, Narrative and Culture I believe that Counter-cultural contextualization best describes making the Christian message relevant and resonant in a specific cultural setting. The goal is to contrast the Christian message to the surrounding culture, but without being “anti-culture.” Counterculture suggests a critical agency to use …
Quote of Myth, Meaning, and Ministry
One of my students put a great quote in one of his papers for our Cultural Anthropology class. “Myth is a perceived truth which is immeasurably greater than concept. It is high time that we stop identifying myth with invention or simply human imagination, with the illusions of primitive mentality. The creation of mythis among …
Life Story and Unfinished Tapestry
Okay, this presentation is more pastoral care than missions. However, it takes its inspiration from one of the chapters of my book, Theo-Storying.