How about the one about the step-sister made servant who is visited by her fairy godmother one special evening, given the makeover of a lifetime, and swept off her feet by the prince?
Or the one about seven hard working minors dedicated to protecting a beautiful maiden in distress?
Or the street boy who was granted wishes by a friendly genie, falls for the stunning princess, and discovers true love?
Or the mermaid who gave up her voice to be with the one she loves?
Or the virgin who was visited by an angel with a message that she was with child?
Using the term "story" in relation to Jesus Christ just grates my nervous. I believe it casts a shade of fantasy and fiction. I understand that English speakers also use the term "story" in relation to true events- movies are based on true stories, we share our personal stories with each other all the time. However, movies are only a version of the real thing with altered facts to make it a better viewing experience and our retellings of events are often doused with exaggeration and skewed by our personal perspectives. This is not the case when it come to the Bible.
I fear, especially with children, that simply by using this term we are putting Jesus in the category of the Disney Princesses, bedtime nursery rhymes, and Santa. One of my close friends views this to be more of a positive than a negative, expressing that when their children are old enough to distinguish fiction from reality, they will investigate the Jesus story and thus solidify their faith. Yes, possibly. I am not saying that simply altering one term will prevent a child's confusion or suddenly convince an agnostic the truth of the Scriptures, but I don't see how it couldn't hurt.
Personally, I want to begin using the terminology "Biblical accounts" and the "news of Jesus." In his book Church Planter, Darrin Patrick writes, "The writers of the New Testament refer to the obedient life, sacrificial and atoning death, and powerful resurrection of Jesus as news because they are reporting actual events that occurred in history..." While the Father of Lies prowls the earth looking for someone to devour, I think changing my vocabulary is a simple war tactic to help in the fight against the deception of the enemy.
So would you like to hear a story, something sugary sweet that will tickle your ear? Or would you like to hear the news about Jesus and his unconditional love for you?
1 comment:
I think this is good food for thought--especially when speaking to adults.
I think (and this is just my opinion) we have to/can use children's terminology to teach children about Christ. And often they will ask, "Is that a true/real story?" and then we can say, "Yes! The Bible is filled with stories of real people." I'm sure if I used the phrase "biblical accounts" with my children I would have to translate that to "stories from the Bible."
No matter what terminology we use, we should always find a way reinforce the fact that message of Christ is not a fantasy.
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