All Jesus did that day was tell stories, a long storytelling afternoon. (Matthew 13:34, MSG)
Golf historians generally agree that Scotland is the birthplace of our beloved sport. The historical records indicate that the word “golf” first appeared in the 15th century. During the reign of James II, an act of the Scots Parliament of March 6, 1457, mentions it twice.
In 2001, Arthur Herman released his book, provocatively entitled: How the Scots Invented the Modern World. His book endeavors to give a sweeping account of Scotland’s formative, cultural impact on Western nations.
As expected, Herman gives attention to Scotland’s brightest lights, men such as William Wallace, Adam Smith, and David Hume. He also includes an unfortunate and unflattering depiction of John Knox, the Protestant Reformer. Surprisingly, he fails to mention the impact of Scottish golf on the formation of the modern world.
Overlooking golf’s impact on the wider world outside Scotland might be forgivable, but, in his bias against Christianity, he also fails to mention another Scottish hero: James Orr.
In the early hours of the twentieth century, Scotland’s James Orr rose to the occasion to defend the Christian faith. At the risk of oversimplifying Orr’s method, we can say he defended the faith by telling the comprehensive story of Christ—from Creation to New Creation.
While historical records don’t give any indication that Orr played golf, he did pioneer a world-impacting apologetic (a reasoned defense of the Christian faith). Orr is considered by many as the founder of Worldview Apologetics.
A short explanation of this approach might go like this: The cross of Christ only makes sense if humanity is created in the image of God, has rebelled against its Maker, and is under God’s wrath and judgment. Consequently, mankind needs redemption and reconciliation that only God can offer.
Said another way, if the competing worldview stories have it right—that there is no God, mankind is not created by God, has not rebelled against God’s commands, and is not under God’s wrath and judgment—then redemption and reconciliation through Christ’s atoning work is pure fiction.
In other words, the cross and resurrection only makes sense in the wider story of a Christian Worldview. So, what is that “wider story,” and why is it so important to recover it in the tumultuous early years of the 21st Century?
Andrew Ollerton gets it right when he writes, “One of the least appreciated facts about the Bible is that this library of books forms one overarching story. The Bible is not a random collection of pious sayings or moral lessons. There is a coherent plotline from start to finish.”
The biblical story stretches from Genesis to Revelation. It is not a myth, or only classic literature, but fundamentally the definitive account of the world in which we live. As Christopher Wright argues, “We live in a storied universe.”
Long before the biblical story arrives at the cross of Christ, we learn the creation narrative: God created humanity for the two-fold purpose of relating to him in adoring worship and ruling the world under his authority.
We also learn from The Fall that something has gone terribly wrong. Humanity has revolted against its Creator. Instead, we attempt to create a world without his oversight and apart from his wise commands. Therefore, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is a part of the larger story of redemption.
James Orr observes: He with his whole heart believes in Jesus as the Son of God is thereby committed to much else besides. He is committed to a view of God, to a view of man, to a view of sin, to a view of redemption, to a view of the purpose of God in creation and history, to a view of human destiny, found only in Christianity. This forms…a Christian World and Life View which stands in a marked contrast with theories wrought from a purely philosophical or scientific standpoint.
The story of Christ Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection only make sense when it is understood within the wider storyline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.
Let’s remember to tell the story that makes sense of life!
Prayer – Jesus, empower us to tell the true story of the world in compelling ways.