The narrative arc of Christianity is complex, but the most amazing thing is that even though it is highly symbolic and archetypal, God accomplishes such work in real history. I have outlined the stages of history with 12 C’s, but I have overlayed it with Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Enjoy the romp:
If we consider Christ as the hero of the story, here’s how these milestones might align:
Old Testament (Preparation)
1. Creation (The Ordinary World)
The beginning of the story, with the world created in perfection, representing the “Ordinary World.” In this stage, humanity exists in harmony with God, fulfilling their intended purpose.
2. Corruption (The Problem Calls for Adventure)
The fall into sin represents the “Call to Adventure,” where the need for a hero arises to restore the fallen world. Through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, humanity becomes estranged from God, initiating the need for a Savior. But no human, as a type of the Messiah, comes forth.
3. Catastrophe (Refusal of the Call / Trials)
The world gets so corrupt, that finally God calls Noah to go on the adventure, as a type of Christ in whom some are saved. The flood is humanity’s trial and refusal to respond properly to the call, deepening the need for divine intervention. Noah’s ark symbolizes both judgment and God’s grace, marking a pivotal moment in humanity’s redemption journey.
4. Confusion (Crossing the First Threshold)
After the flood, humanity swells again, but sharing a language, is still unrighteous and seeks to elevate itself above God. The scattering at Babel marks a division and is the moment humanity crosses a threshold into disarray (again?) , needing redemption. The people’s refusal to submit to God’s plan results in linguistic confusion and separation, intensifying the brokenness of the world.
5. Covenant (Meeting the Mentor)
God’s covenant with Abraham sets the stage for the hero’s journey, providing guidance and hope for the future restoration. The covenant promises that through Abraham’s descendants, the world will be blessed, laying the groundwork for Jesus’ eventual coming. He is another type of Christ, a deliverer, but later in the same story.
6. Commandments (Tests)
After the Israelites are freed from Egypt, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. This moment represents a crucial “Test” phase, where God establishes a moral code for His people. The Commandments prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah, offering a standard to guide them toward righteousness and holiness.
New Testament (Fulfillment)
7. Christ is Born (Crossing the Threshold)
Christ’s birth marks the hero crossing into the human world, embarking on the mission to restore creation. This moment of divine intervention begins the redemptive work that will unfold throughout Jesus’ life, setting the stage for the ultimate victory over sin.
8.Crucifixion (The Ordeal)
Christ’s sacrifice represents the hero’s ultimate test, confronting and overcoming the powers of sin and death. The Crucifixion is a moment of great suffering but also of immense victory, as Jesus takes on humanity’s sins and provides a way for reconciliation with God.
9. Conquest (Approach)
The Resurrection is the hero’s moment of triumph, where Christ conquers death and sin, signaling the fulfillment of His mission. Though it represents victory over sin and death, it also acts as the Approach stage because it prepares Jesus and His followers for the final victory. The Resurrection paves the way for the Return with the Elixir by proving Christ’s power and authority, reinforcing that His mission will be completed and that all things will be restored through Him. It is the moment before the ultimate reconciliation is brought about.
10. Church (The Reward)
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the reward the hero obtains and gives to the people to heal them. In the Biblical narrative, this empowers the Church to complete the mission.
11. Commission (The Road Back)
The Great Commission represents the hero’s followers returning to the world with the power to heal and redeem, spreading Christ’s victory. Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all nations is the mission entrusted to His followers, empowering them to carry His message to the ends of the earth, leading all on the road back home to God.
12. Consummation (The Return with the Elixir)
The second coming and the consummation of all things, where Christ fully restores the world, brings perfect unity, and establishes His eternal reign. This aligns with the “Return with the Elixir” stage in the Hero’s Journey, where the hero brings back the solution to the world’s problems, fulfilling their quest and restoring balance. Christ’s return completes His redemptive mission, transforming the world into a new heaven and new earth, where peace and righteousness reign forever.