Art, Narrative, and Atonement

Art is not created out of nothing, but out of something already there. Art depends on creation to be art. It takes (among other things) pigment, scenery, ideas, and space and makes something new from all of them. Narratives can work the same way. Harry Potter fans saw elements of mythology and classic literature in her works, but also something new. This is true of most every good story: It has elements consistency and elements of fresh vitality.

The gospel writers did this, as well. While those from the history-of-religions school or literature might see the gospel writers borrowing from other stories and adapting other stories in a way that makes the story of Jesus of Nazareth just another story (and, because of what some might see as its syncretism, a poor one), I believe the gospel writers were more like artists, but at a deeper level. Their actions display at-one-ment.

The gospel writers' and Paul's use of other narrative elements displays the atoning work of God in Jesus Christ. From separate elements, a new story has been told that centers on Jesus, creating a new people where once there were two (or more). This new story requires repentance from seeing the world only in light of one's own story, and a turn to seeing the world in Jesus Christ. And just as pigment and canvas seem not to be lost in a piece of art but rather find their eternal purpose, so do previous stories not lose their identity, but find it in the story of Jesus Christ. Just as Paul writes in Romans 9-11 of the incredible providential work of God to pull together hard-hearted parts of previous stories for the good of all, so does Jesus' life bring atonement to all narratives that find their end in him.