Biblical Metanarrative Essay
Jessica Holloway
Theology 201: Theology Survey
November 24, 2019
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The grand story (metanarrative) of the Bible begins with the creation of all things and
ends with the renewal of all things. Everything in between provides meaning and clarity for the
believer to understand the workings of our most Holy God. According to Etzel & Small, in their
book, “ ,” our theological view affects everything we do, from our Everyday Theology
relationships with others to our relationship with God. In order to have a correct theological
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view, we must start with the Bible as one complete story. Author N.T. Wright says, “It is the
only story that explains the way things were (Creation), the way things are (Fall), the way things
could be (Redemption), and the way things will be (Restoration). The biblical metanarrative
makes a comprehensive claim on all humanity, calling each one of us to find our place in his
story.”2 We can study various doctrines within the Bible to find a clearer picture of God’s
unfolding story. In the metanarrative of the Bible, God’s love and righteousness are displayed
throughout creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration in a way that shows God has a plan and
is at work carrying out his plan.
Scripture tells us, “God is love,” (1 John 4:8,16) he does not merely show love, he is love
itself. Even before the creation of the earth, love existed perfectly amongst the members of the
Trinity (John 17:24). God called forth creation, ¸ out of nothing, not because he had to, ex nihilo
but as an act of love. Theologian Thomas Aquinas states, “When we say that in Him there is a
procession of love, we show that God produced creatures not because He needed them, nor
