Becoming Human Part 3 - Story Shaped Life

What does it mean to be truly human?

This is a pretty interesting and also massive question. Whenever we approach this topic we can easily be overcome by the number of options that are available.  On top of a specific  anthropological theory, and an attendant personal philosophy, are the numerous factors that influence each individual life.  What does it mean for an individual in our time to discover their true self?  Is their a way to find a true sense of self that honors the gender, social standing, and ethnicity of each individual? 

Christianity, and all religions, provide a framework for their adherents to interpret life circumstances and come to a sense of self within a world of flux and change.  This is open to abuse but more positively is an empowering aspect of faith and trust.  In recent years this ability of faith to provide a grid for understanding of self in the world has experienced a significant resurgence.  A theological book which highlights this is "Why Narrative: Readings in Narrative Theology."

This is a fascinating book because it tracks the re-emergence of the narrative tradition of reading the bible.  It is doubly fascinating because it explains why narrative theology is so important.  The editors, Hauerwas and Jones, believe that narrative is "a crucial conceptual category for such matters as understanding issues of epistemology and methods of argument, depicting personal identity, and displaying the content of Christian convictions" (italics are mine).    

This book encourages the reader to see how altering our theological method can have a significant impact on how we understand ourselves as human beings in the world.  It is hard to downplay the importance of this work for a re-invigoration of Christianity in the west.  After reading this book, i was and remain convinced that North American churches need to re-discover a narrative practice for preaching and teaching in order to find a better way to understand our human selves and to live with meaning in the world.  

A popular review of this book back in 1991 also noted the potential impact of this approach to theology, and as we are saying, human identity.  George Stroup wrote in Theology Today:

"There is a deep and profound confusion concerning not only what it means to be Christian, but also what it means to be male or female, husband or wife, father or mother. In the midst of this massive confusion about identity and the absence of what were at one time compelling narratives and living traditions, it is hardly surprising that there is both a fascination with and a longing for narratives that recreate an ordered world and provide meaning and direction to personal and communal existence. The interest in narrative across the spectrum of theological disciplines is not because theologians have run   out of topics to debate and discuss; rather, the theme of narrative touches an exposed, raw nerve in the life of Christian communities and in the life of the larger culture."

The issue of finding an approach to life that has a good end in mind, a focus for human action in the midst of excessive individual freedom and encourages active social participation is sorely needed.  I think narrative readings could help us become more human.  What do you think?