Plot Pyramid

The Bible is much more than literature, but it is written by a master Author; we can therefore use the terminology and tools of literature to help us understand and appreciate it. The Bible’s protagonist (main character or “good guy”) is God. The antagonist (person in conflict with the main character or “bad guy”) is mankind. Any story revolves around the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist; in this case, there is the glaring reality of sin, which causes a division between God and man. The Bible deals with this conflict and the path toward achieving resolution.

Literature analysis utilizes a plot pyramid to map the development of a story. The first element is the exposition. This is the “once upon a time” part of the story or the introduction; its purpose is to introduce the characters and the setting. In the Bible, this is Genesis 1-2. Though a very small part of the Bible, these chapters provide a firm and complete foundation for understanding the coming conflict. We are introduced to both God and man. We see that God existed before man and is the almighty creator of all things, including man. This supremely powerful God placed the created subordinate into a perfect and wonderful setting of great privilege and blessing. He gave a few simple instructions. This exposition establishes the characters and the relationship between them, at this point with no conflict.

The conflict is introduced in what is called the inciting moment, the event that sets the conflict in motion. This is found in Genesis 3 with the temptation and first sin by mankind against God. From here on, a conflict or friction exists, and the story cannot end until this conflict is resolved.

Next we come to the rising action, which is the set of complications the characters must work through as they seek to resolve the conflict. Remember that God’s objective is to bring reconciliation, but man does not make that easy. I see two distinct threads here. One thread is that man keeps working against reconciliation. We have the wickedness leading to the flood and the rebellion at Babel. The book of Judges reveals a repeated cycle of judgment-warranting rebellion. In the times of the kings, the people further offended God by habitually serving false gods, allying with wicked nations, breaking His commandments, and “serving” Him with empty ritual. In essence, man did nothing to help resolve the conflict.

The other thread is that God is constantly doing things to keep His redemptive plan alive. He starts in Genesis 3 by promising a Savior; in Genesis 12 He chooses the nation through whom that Savior would come. Two things “complicate” God’s efforts. We already looked at the first, that of man’s continued rebellion; to this, God responds with gracious longsuffering and forgiveness. The second complication is the unending series of threats against God’s chosen nation. Mighty forces work to destroy that nation before the promised Savior can issue forth from it. These nation-menacing threats include a childless patriarch, centuries of oppressive slavery in Egypt, multiple instances of bondage to other nations, repeated military assaults by foreign armies, and eventually an apparent end of the Jewish nation as it is carried into captivity and its cities are destroyed. Through all of these complications, God sustains His chosen line by giving deliverance and restoration. The rising action takes us from Genesis 4, through all of the Old Testament, and into the gospels.

The next element is the crisis or climax, the point at which the story reaches its greatest intensity and the outcome is most in doubt. This occurs at the crucifixion of Christ in Matthew 27, Mark 14, Luke 23, and John 19, as the hoped-for deliverer, the one intended to bring peace between God and man, is rejected and killed. The hope for reconciliation and resolution of conflict seems doomed until Christ rises from the dead. After this point, the outcome is no longer in doubt; the victory has been won.

The story isn’t over yet. We move to the falling action, which includes the book of Acts and the epistles. There are three elements to the falling action. First, the Christians seek to carry the message of reconciliation to the rest of the world so that more of mankind can be included. Second, the Christians receive instruction about how to live as reconciled people so that their message is effective and their lives reflect the reconciliation they have received. Third, the Christians are challenged to maintain the purity of the gospel and keep it from being corrupted.

Next, we come to the final moment of suspense, the last moment at which real conflict exists and complications remain. This is the battle of Armageddon, found in Revelation 20. The forces of evil make one last stand, attempting to defeat God and ruin His plan. While this event is still in the future, the Bible records that the rebellion will fail. All evil will be conquered, with no power to ever resist God again.

The final part of the plot is the denouement; this is the “happily ever after” part of the story in which all the loose ends are tied up. This consists of just two chapters, Revelation 21-22. The wicked are cast into eternal judgment, and the righteous enter into eternal peace and perfect reconciliation. We finally reach the resolution, the outcome of the conflict. The Bible’s conflict is resolved as God and mankind experience reconciliation that surpasses the blessed fellowship that was found at the beginning of the story.

Examining the Bible in this way is not just a literary exercise. Identifying the various components helps us to see the big picture and to have a more focused realization of what the Bible is really about. It helps us to see that the Bible is a unified message, not just an assortment of stories. It gives meaning, purpose, and direction. We tend to think that the Bible talks about a lot of different stuff, depending on which section we look at, but it reality the Bible is about one thing. This type of thoughtful analysis helps us to focus on the important question of what the Bible is about, rather than limiting our discussions to what a particular book or passage is about. Once we have a clear view of the Bible’s overall message, we have a good foundation for understanding its individual parts. We have a framework on which to place our deeper study.