The Bible as One True Story to a New Believer

God’s people rebel in the kingdom. They seek autonomy and try to play god. Their moral bankruptcy births humanism. The subversion of the kingdom’s edicts corrupts every aspect of creation. Death enters the world (Gen 3:14-19). It decimates the human relationship with God and with each other (Drama 42). Humanity is alienated from their Creator and enslaved to their will.

The King begins redemption through the nation of Israel. He established a covenant relationship with them to be his messengers to bring people back to him. Their desire for autonomy fails them, as they choose creation over the Creator. They fear earthly kings more than they fear the King of Kings. They prefer false prophets instead of true prophets. Inherently, people despise God, their King, in pursuit of becoming masters of their destiny.

God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to reclaim what was lost in Eden. God becomes a person to reconcile humans with God and redeem His creation. He unveils “renewal and restoration… in its final shape as the kingdom of God” (Drama, 135). He atones on the Cross for his people’s rebellion and reverses the curse by rising from the dead on the third day. God’s divine judgment and His divine love converge on the cross. Redemption is accomplished; His good news is spread.

His ascension to heaven inaugurates the dawn of the Spirit age. The church becomes a new people. He is coming again to judge the living and the dead. The faithful ones will spend time in eternity with the Holy God. The rest will be judged to eternal damnation. He will rule among his people forever. The consummation will complete the redemption.