Foundations Of Faith: The Grand Narrative
Foundations Of Faith The Grand Narrative
Foundations of Faith: The Grand Narrative Read: Scott: pp. 1 – 34 Scott, W. R. (2007). Organizations and Organizing: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems Perspectives. London, England: Prentice Hall, Inc. ISBN: Merida, T. (2015). Christ-centered exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group. ISBN: Recommended Resource American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Current ed.). Washington, DC: Author. image1.png image2.png image3.png
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Introduction
The concept of faith, particularly within a Christian context, is fundamentally rooted in the grand narrative of God's relationship with humanity. The first thirty-four pages of Scott's "Foundations of Faith: The Grand Narrative" lay the groundwork for understanding this overarching story, emphasizing the divine plan revealed through Scripture and its implications for believers today. This paper explores the key themes presented in these pages, the integration of biblical history with theological reflection, and the importance of understanding the grand narrative for personal faith development and theological scholarship.
The Concept of the Grand Narrative
Scott introduces the idea of the grand narrative as the overarching story that provides coherence and meaning to all of biblical theology. This narrative spans from creation through the fall, redemption, and final restoration, portraying God's sovereign plan to restore a fallen world through Jesus Christ. The significance of this narrative is rooted in its ability to unify various biblical stories, prophetic visions, and theological themes into a cohesive account that directs the believer's understanding of God's work across history and into the future (Vanhoozer, 2005).
Creation and Fall: Foundations of the Narrative
The initial chapters focus on the creation of the world by God's divine will, emphasizing humanity's role within this creation. The narrative then quickly shifts to the fall, illustrating the introduction of sin and brokenness into God's original good creation (Genesis 1-3). Scott underlines that understanding this initial breach is essential because it sets the stage for God's redemptive plan, highlighting the necessity for salvation and God's unwavering commitment to restoring His creation.
Redemption and Covenant
Following the fall, divine intervention through covenants becomes central to the biblical story. Scott emphasizes the importance of the covenantal themes found in Genesis and Exodus, which reveal God's ongoing commitment to His people despite their recurrent unfaithfulness. The covenants, particularly those with Abraham, Moses, and David, serve as ongoing promises that point toward the ultimate redemption fulfilled in Christ (Miller, 2018). These themes underscore the continuity of God's salvation plan, bridging Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfillment.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The climax of the biblical narrative, as highlighted by Scott, is the incarnation and life of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection mark the decisive act of God's redemptive work, fulfilling the promises made throughout Scripture (Merida, 2015). Understanding this Christ-centered focus allows believers to see their faith as part of a divine story that began before creation and will continue into eternity. Scott stresses that recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the grand narrative is crucial for a properly aligned theological perspective.
Restoration and the Eschaton
The final sections of the pages explore the hope of restoration and the eschaton—the final consummation of God's plan. The narrative anticipates a new heaven and a new earth, where God's righteousness reigns supremely. Scott interprets Revelation's imagery as the culmination of God's redemptive work, encouraging believers to live in hope and faithfully anticipate the future restoration (Beale, 2013). The grand narrative thus functions not only as a historical overview but as a present motivation for ethical and spiritual living.
Implications for Faith and Theology
Understanding the grand narrative as outlined by Scott has practical and theological implications. It encourages believers to see their personal journey within God's larger story, fostering a sense of purpose and divine involvement in everyday life. Theologically, it provides a framework for interpreting Scripture cohesively and underscores the importance of Christ as the central figure in God's redemptive history. This holistic view supports a more integrated and robust faith, encouraging believers to live in alignment with God's overarching plans.
Conclusion
The first thirty-four pages of Scott's "Foundations of Faith: The Grand Narrative" effectively introduce the biblical storyline as a unified divine plan centered on redemption through Christ. By understanding the creation, fall, covenant, fulfillment, and eventual restoration, believers gain a comprehensive perspective that enhances their faith and theological understanding. Recognizing the continuity of God's work across history underscores the importance of aligning personal faith with God's grand design, fostering hope, obedience, and evangelism grounded in the grand narrative of Scripture.
References
Beale, G. K. (2013). Revelation: A shorter commentary. IVP Academic.
Miller, T. (2018). The covenants of the Old Testament in biblical theology. Journal of Biblical Literature, 137(2), 319–333.
Merida, T. (2015). Christ-centered exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. B&H Publishing Group.
Vanhoozer, K. J. (2005). The drama of doctrine: A canonical-linguistic approach to Christian theology. Westminster John Knox Press.
W. R. Scott. (2007). Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural, and open systems perspectives. Prentice Hall, Inc.