Get Your Pretense On!

64 • Get Your Pretense On!

God, and a people. Don’t be shocked by words and phrases like “cosmic drama,” “divine romance,” or “myth and legend.” I agree with both J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis that say essentially the Christian story is “true myth,” the “tale of all tales,” the one story which gives clarity and unifies all true depictions of who we are and where we are going. To be Christian is to be authentic participants and living witnesses of this story; we literally have been chosen to live out our parts in God’s cosmic story. This is the essence of “getting our pretense on;” we are called to play our own unique roles in the drama of the ages. The Scriptures refer to God’s story with his people in various metaphors and figures, including that of a mighty warrior rescuing his people, a divine shepherd bringing his fold together, or a King restoring his reign after the rebellion of his peoples. One of the most illuminating figures is that of the romance of God with his people. This notion of God wooing his people from lostness to be his bride is clearly illustrated throughout the Scriptures, between God and his people Israel, and the Lord and his Church (e.g., Isa. 62.5; Song of Sol.; Ezek. 16.8-16). Here are a few examples of God using this metaphor to describe his love for his people: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ~ Isaiah 61.10 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. ~ Isaiah 62.5