Cultural Encounters: A Journal For The Theology Of Culture Volume 14 Number 1 | Page 7

Volume 14 Number 1 2018 THE POWER OF STORY Wm. Paul Young  What has captured our hearts if not story. Whether in song lyrics or parables, movie scripts or tall tales told round the campfire, family gatherings where legends are spun and bedtime rituals where fiction reigns, poetry and prose pursue us even in the sto- ries of our dreaming. Is it not story that gathers our attention and lights our imagination? How many of us sat in the parking lot af- ter a Sunday morning sermon trying to remember what was said? If the preacher told a good story, we remember. If it was a theo- logical concept adrift on its own merit, not so much. Why this profound attachment to story? Personally, I believe that it is at the heart of being human, made in the image of God. You cannot know a person to any depth unless you spend time inside their narrative. Every human being is a story and so each of us has a natural affinity for story. I think this is one of the reasons that eternity will take so long; we will spend the time to understand how each story has been woven into our own. We will find that thread that connects us all and it will be story. So, rather than explore story as an intellectual exercise, worth- while though that might be, let me instead tell you a story inside a story and let you feel its impact for yourself. Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent  Wm. Paul Young is an author and speaker who can be contact at [email protected]. 2