The Power of Narrative

“Neither revolution nor reformation can ultimately change a society, rather you must tell a new powerful tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps away the old myths and becomes the preferred story, one so inclusive that it gathers all the bits of our past and our present into a coherent whole, one that even shines some light into the future so that we can take the next step… If you want to change a society, then you have to tell an alternative story.”

~ Austrian philosopher, Ivan Illich, Tools for Conviviality (1973)

I hear resonating truth in this quote.  I’m encouraged that the grand narrative of God, climaxing in Jesus, can change our society – beyond what any “revolution” or “reformation” might hope to achieve.  And in thinking about it this way, I’m reading the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 a bit differently.  Something like this …

“Here’s the core of the message.  You’ve got to get this.  The Messiah died for our sins in accordance with the ancient story; he was buried; he was raised on the third day in accordance with the story; and he appeared to faithful witnesses who would continue to tell the story.”

Related posts:

1. The Narrative That Re-Plots Our Identity