Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.
Summary: The story Paul tells about his travels sounds different than the story Luke tells us about Paul. When we consider how people tell stories, the differences disappear, and a more detailed picture emerges.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul gives a concise timeline of events after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Luke also gives an account of Paul’s movements after he meets Jesus, but it differs from Paul’s (See Acts 9-13).
Why?
Have you ever found yourself telling a story to a friend or family member, and your spouse or another friend corrects you?
We tend to remember things differently. Sometimes, the stories we tell are out of chronological order. Instead, we might focus on what is most important to the story. At times, there are so many dates and details that we pick and choose what we want to share. When this happens, it can seem like our telling of the story is “wrong” to someone else who was there.
Each of us is the best authority on our own story. Paul is no different. Paul knows what he did and when. Does his letter give us every detail of what happened in his life? No, probably not.
When I tell people stories about my life, I have to pick and choose what to share. If I am trying to make the story interesting, I share the more interesting parts of my story. If I am explaining how certain things came to be, I might choose different details to share.
Then there are the details about details.
When Paul says he went to Syria, what does he mean? Both Damascus and Antioch are in Syria. And what does he mean by saying he went to Cilicia? Did you know that Tarsus, his hometown, is in Cilicia?
By stating, “I went to Syria and Cilicia,” Paul paints a picture of his travels with broad strokes. When Luke tells us that Paul’s friends “took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus” (Acts 9:20), he is essentially saying the same thing. Luke tells the same story differently because he and Paul are different people.
There is another reason he and Paul tell the story differently. Paul was there, and Luke wasn’t. We don’t know precisely when Luke met Paul, but Luke’s writing suggests it was in Acts, Chapter Sixteen.* In Luke 16:10, his description of what happens changes from “they” did this or that to “we” did such-and-such.
Are the timelines given by Paul and Luke different? You will have to decide for yourself. As for me, they seem like the same story told by two different people.
Application: It is better to think critically than be critical.
Food for Thought: How does the way a story is told impact what people think about the story?
*https://www.christianbeliefs101.com/2021/08/31/when-did-luke-join-the-apostle-paul/
How does the way a story is told impact what people think about the story?
It can impact it by a lot or little depending on the person. What’s wonderful about the Bible is its more than a story, instruction, love letter, rule book, declaration of His marriage to us, or a book of His intention for us. It’s a living word from God that has no boundaries. It speaks to each person differently but the same. It doesn’t abide by regular rules. It is the word of God. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Tim,
Elegantly said! Thank you!!
From what I can tell, people generally listen and decide if a story has any value for them: wisdom or growth or call to action on their past, present, or future lives or the lives of those in their lives. I find people tune out a story that they perceive to be untruthful, or of no value. That’s why is it important to know your audience.
When I thought about the devotion today, I thought that both Paul and Luke were led to address two overlapping audiences. Perhaps, they didn’t even know, but the Holy Spirit did.
I also thought about Jesus speaking in parables.
Matthew 13:34-35
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Seems like a very large claim! To speak a parable that sounds simple but contains “what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” But the parables that are recorded in the Bible are exactly that. One thing I find fascinating about the parables that Jesus spoke is not only the multilayered message, but that the surface imagery are topics that pique the interests of mankind. The things mankind value in one way or another. Once the listener or reader begins to understand the eternal implications of the parable does the surface value fade away.
Interesting thoughts, Chris!
I like the way you transitioned into Jesus’ use of parables. Thank you!
Good thoughts. My initial response was the same as T’s. The Bible is more than a story and the One giving us the information is God. He is giving it as He wants to give it. So He is telling the story through men but directed by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter1: 20 – 21). How someone tells a story does make a big difference. Of course, God knows that and has overseen His story to be told as He desires. Which means it is the perfect story for us.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes, God is not only the Author of life and all that exists, he is also the Author of the best book that was ever written. 🙂
01-12-2034, How does the way a story is told impact what people think about the story?
As a person called but not yet a believer, I was led to Bible Study Fellowship where our Lord could speak to me through His word. We were studying the book of John, and I could not understand a word written in my Bible. I bought a baby bible and used this to answer my average 20 questions each week. As I recall, within 6 weeks I had received Jesus Christ, and by the end of the year, I was reading and understanding my King James Bible.
And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment, John 16:8
A story requires a speaker and a listener.
Both must be fully engaged in the exchange.
A true story involving both the speaker and the listener will be conveyed and received with greater impact than a fictitious story.
A story being conveyed and received in the power of the Holy Spirit will be spoken and received in His power and will have the greatest impact.
Giving thought to, receiving and acting on the exchange is a decision to be made by the person receiving the truth. Our salvation, and growth as a believer is the work of God’s truth, through His Son.
God uses believers to minister to non believers, however we are conveying spiritual truths to physical beings.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:26
The power to speak the truth and the power to receive the truth, both come from the Holy Spirit who who seeks the salvation of all mankind, but leaves the decision up to each individual.
Ron.
Excellent point!
The way a story is told involves more than words. When we speak face to face, our eyes and facial expressions convey part of the story. You remind us that when we speak God’s Word (God’s story), God’s Spirit conveys meaning spiritually, just like our facial expressions convey meaning.
Thank you!