A Powerful Collision: God, Bible, Authority & Narrative 1

In the winter of 2000 my entire life was turned around, flipped upside down and spun inside out. I was a confused, well-intentioned, yet directionless 20 year-old sophomore at Bethel College decided to open up the Book of Acts in hopes of some general inspiration. Something remarkably simple yet profoundly powerful took place that evening as I began reading the story of the early church in Acts.  I was swept up into the action as I read of their struggle to follow the Spirit’s leading as they brought the message of Jesus and the resurrection across the pagan Roman Empire. At that moment, some powerful exchange took place deep within the contours of my mind and my understanding of God, Scripture, history and the meaning of my existence was forever transformed.

Years later during my seminary studies in San Diego I would begin to understand the powerful dynamic that was at work in me that winter night years prior that triggered such a radical and sudden transformation. That night I had discovered the power of NARRATIVE. That night I had experienced what George Stroupe calls “a collision of narratives”