Get Your Pretense On!

Chapter 1: The Greatest Story in the Word • 25

and outreach she boldly communicates and demonstrates the Story through acts of hospitality and generosity, and through evangelism and mission. Our aim is simple. We as believers must strive to so live out the Story before the lost in order that, through our words and deeds, they may learn of its wonder and be attracted to its gracious invitation. Truly, then, the Church is the people of the Story. In every way the Story shapes her identity, inspires her worship, and fuels her passions for God and love for others. (We will discuss in depth the role of the church in relation to the Kingdom Story of God in chapter three). Once upon a Time: The Biblical Story Told You can’t appreciate the scope and power of the Christian narrative of the world until you understand and encounter it. It is so remarkable that it is told rightly only when told with joy and power. Let us here now, then, summarize the Story, tell it plain and good in the somewhat dry theological language of the schools, but still a wondrous and powerful way to hear it. In the few paragraphs that follow, I will lay out the Tale of tales so you can see its power and insight. A Sovereign God Creates the Worlds The Bible begins with the creation of the universe by a sovereign and triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who existed before all else, from everlasting to everlasting. This perfect God, the Lord God Almighty, dwelt in eternal glory – our God lacked nothing before he chose to create the universe. Based purely on his loving-kindness and determination to create a universe that would reflect his glory, this great God decided to act. In his eternal counsels and wisdom, he decided to make a universe where his workmanship would be displayed. He decided, too, to make a world where human beings, made in