The Big Story of the Bible with Caroline Cobb
On this episode of the Journeywomen podcast I had the privilege of chatting with Caroline Cobb. Caroline is a singer-songwriter and worship leader particularly interested in telling the stories of Scripture through her music. Her new album A Home + A Hunger centers around the biblical theme of kingdom hope in exile. Caroline and I talked about how viewing Scripture as one Big Story has not only developed our theology, but literally transformed us. I love her encouragement to keep looking at Scripture, no matter what season we’re in or how much time we’re able to devote to studying, because God will use Scripture to change our lives. My favorite quote was, “The Bible is a book about God. It’s not about us. What’s really cool about it is that when we go to Scripture looking for God and not just looking for a quick, Instagram-sized encouragement or whatever, then that is where we find TRUE encouragement, when we’re gazing upward at him instead of trying to get a quick answer or just feel better." I’m encouraged to continue my quest to grow in my understanding of how this Grand Narrative works it’s way throughout all of history. I hope you’ll join me!
I just finished reading through the Bible with the goal of better understanding how the Bible connects from Genesis to Revelation and I found your music so helpful for comprehending and remembering the Big Storyline of Scripture. Can you tell us a little about the heart behind your work?
Before we get ahead of ourselves, can you offer a summary of the message that your album seeks to communicate?
When did you first begin to understand that all of the stories of the Bible fit together and collectively point to one thing/person/event?
Why is it important that we understand that?
What has helped you to develop your understanding of the metanarrative?
What do you do when you come across a story or a passage in Scripture and you don't really understand how it fits into the Big Story?
How does understanding the Big Story impact your day-to-day life?
What's at risk if we don't read the Bible or frame our own lives in the context of the Greater Story?
What encouragement do you have for someone who wants to develop their understanding of the Bible as one Big Story, but who feels intimidated and doesn't know where to start?
What recommendations do you have for someone who wants to read the Bible with the goal of understanding the metanarrative, but who finds herself in a busy season?
How will knowing and understanding the metanarrative of Scripture change us?
3 Questions I Ask Every Guest
What 3 resources would you recommend for someone wanting to develop their understanding of the metanarrative or the Big Story of Scripture?
What are 3 of your simple joys?
Who has had the biggest influence on your own journey with Jesus?
Note Worthy Quotes
“In the beginning when God created the world he created Adam and Eve and humanity to be with him, in communion with him. Because of sin, that broke… there was a brokenness with creation, with our Creator, and with each other. But even from the beginning in Genesis 3:15 there is this promise that God makes even as he’s telling [Adam and Eve] the punishment for their sin, and it’s that one of Eve’s descendants will crush the serpent’s head. Even from the beginning there is a beautiful story of rescue happening. Even as you go through the Old Testament you can see shadows of a Messiah who is coming and promises of redemption and rescue. Finally when Christ comes on the scene this brokenness that we’ve felt begins to go in reverse. The end of the story is—which we sometimes forget—is that he will come and wipe every tear from our eyes and be with us. We will be able to have restored communion with him, eventually, along with every tribe, nation, and tongue. It’s going to be good. That’s what we were made for.”
“This is a Big Story that’s not really about us, but that we get to be a part of.”
“It takes so much pressure off of us, to know that we don’t have to be great like [x, y, or z Bible character].”
“The Bible is a book about God. It’s not about us. What’s really cool about it is that when we go to Scripture looking for God and not just looking for a quick, Instagram-sized encouragement or whatever, then that is where we find TRUE encouragement, when we’re gazing upward at him instead of trying to get a quick answer or just feel better. That is a huge one. We can’t make it fit what we want it to say. It’s really only by looking at Christ and not ourselves that we grow and that we find true encouragement and hope.”
“The hope of the end of the story that Jesus’ kingdom is already breaking in, that he is a judge God, and that he will not just let evil go unpunished, that one day he will wipe away our tears and that all of the sad things will come untrue as it says, and that brings us so much hope.”
“We have to trust that as we’re looking for Christ in Scripture, as we’re wanting to behold him as he is and not as we’re trying to make him to be, as we behold Christ the Bible will transform us.”
“Just keep looking at Scripture. It will change you.”
“How beautiful is God’s Word that even though I’ve been a Christian for a long time that we can continue to learn and understand new things?”
“Give him [God] the first fruits of your time.”
“Jesus has completed it for you. He loves you. We live obediently and struggle against our sin not to earn his favor but because that’s what the Gospel frees us to do.”
Caroline's Resources
Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
Studies by Jen Wilkin
Studies by Nancy Guthrie
From Garden to Glory by Courtney Doctor
The Story of God’s Love for You by Sally Lloyd Jones
Cover-to-Cover Facebook Group that Hunter mentioned
Caroline's Simple Joys
Young Adult Fantasy Fiction (Harry Potter or The Wing Feather Saga)
Adventure
Songwriting
Other Resources
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen interviews are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select guests each week, interviews do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned.
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