Why stories are evidence of God
Stories are fundamentally connected to the human condition. But is it possible that the very existence of stories is also evidence for God?
Why stories are evidence of God
Stories are fundamentally connected to the human condition. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do; narratives lie at the bedrock of our psychology. But is it possible that the very existence of stories is also evidence for God?
Stories are Integral to Humanity
We often take for granted that storytelling is introduced at a very early age; indeed, most children start listening to their first stories before they can walk or talk. But whether it’s due to this early introduction or because there is something deeper written in our DNA, it’s clear that narratives in themselves are undeniably integral to human psychology.
Research into the Theory of Mind shows that stories are crucial for cognitive development, activating regions of the brain associated with auditory, visual, and emotional proficiency and thereby leading to stronger neural connections. We also know that stories are foundational to understanding others’ thoughts, intentions, and emotions, creating more powerful social connections and bonds and improving a sense of community. And, perhaps most importantly, stories are a key tool for helping individuals find meaning in their experiences and develop a stronger sense of self and their place in the world.
Stories are beloved by children, it’s true, but they are inherently bound to the way adults live as well. It’s easy to overlook, but there’s something about the power of a narrative that draws our attention, despite our years. Business startups pitch their story to investors, professional athletes and sports teams win admirers through unlikely success, politicians connect their past to their community’s future, and newspapers and websites never hesitate to pen a story about an unexpected underdog. Stories are, after all, the fabric of the human experience: the cloth of the past in which we weave our identity and the thread that sews our future. Some things never change. From 17,000-year-old cave paintings to modern-day audio books, stories have always been used to share experiences, remember the past, build connections, and make sense of the world around us. The bond even runs so deep that you’ll start to notice that you view your own life as a narrative, given some reflection. Every day is to turn the page. Every experience is a new chapter. And you are the character through which the world is viewed.
Stories as a Cornerstone of the Faith
God has a plan for his creation. Only He, the writer, knows fully the ultimate means, ends, and purpose to this plan, but we can gain a little insight through the grand narrative of salvation detailed throughout the Bible. While the Bible is composed of many stories, it contains a single arc. One that details the fall of humanity and our subsequent rise due to grace. Bound up with this tale of salvation is innumerable philosophical truths about the nature of good and evil, the spirit of mankind, and of God himself. The result is a cumulative well of wisdom, and at the crux of the story is God’s relationship with man.
Perhaps we story-loving humans are simply living out the divinity gifted to us. Or, in other words, maybe the reason why stories are so integral to humanity is because it is part and parcel to God’s nature as the First Writer (i.e. St. Thomas Aquinas’s argument for the Necessary Being). The fact that mankind longs for God has been argued to be evidence for His existence; therefore, our constant and unwavering existential pursuit of purpose indicates that “meaning” really is out there. It is indirect proof that a far greater narrative is at play. Furthermore, we are created in the image and likeness of God. So, if God writes meaning and purpose into every living thing, why should we not read it so?
The search for meaning underscores every human life—we hope for it, read into it, and even sometimes fear it. But whether we are consciously aware of this drive for purpose, it matters not. The fact is that we are all characters partaking in the one true fairy tale—the ultimate myth that gives meaning to all other stories. And, believe it or not, the meta eumythos of this tale, the fulfillment that brings sorrow crowned in pure and perfect joy, is physically present at every mass.
The Narrative of Mass
The dividing line between real experiences and fictional story structures is much greyer than you might expect. Holy mass is a perfect example of this, embodying the three-act structure. First, is the build up to the gospel. This act sets the stage for humanity’s present plights with the help of prophetic insight and apostolic advice. We read through smaller, specific stories to understand where our path is headed, and we meditate and sing for a hopeful future. The second act is the gospel and the homily. We learn that, despite our challenges, failures, and uncertainties, there is a light of hope. Where once was the Word, the story of God, now shines the perfect opportunity for transformation, and God himself shares tangible paths to his promised salvation. And finally, the third act is the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the climax of the story and the resolution of all things: dwelling in God’s peace.
Interestingly, the three-act narrative of mass also perfectly coincides with one of the most universally impactful and effective storytelling methods: the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is all about personal transformation. The journey begins with an individual who is lacking in some respect; it is followed by great perils in order to fulfill a greater good; then it concludes with the transformation of the character, crucially through some moral evolution. Is this not the exact experience for every soul who attends mass?
The key here is that this is not simply another story; nor is it fictional. The Eucharist, the one true fairy tale, is the perfect and ultimate connection to God. Through it, we unite ourselves to Him in body and in spirit. Indeed, it is the exact moment where God himself reaches forth, transcending time and space, to enter into perfect communion with those that seek Him. Therefore, it is by and through this “story” that God’s ultimate narrative is completed with divine perfection: author becomes character, virtue is imbued into metaphysical reality, and the purpose of the heavenly bond is flawlessly executed.
You see, the narratives of all of our lives, the narratives of our church community in Scotland and around the world, and the narrative of mass are all the branching stories of a greater tree—God’s one and ultimate narrative for all of creation, of which we are a small, but incalculably important part. If, like so many others, you find yourself pondering the purpose of your life, rest assured that you are central to the greatest and truest story ever told. Peace be with you!
By Jack Heitman