Storytelling Scotland: A Theological Postscript?

Abstract

This paper begins with the assertion that the church in Scotland has at many points in its history tried to give an account not just of itself, but of the nation and to place the life of its people within a narrative that is both Christian and Scottish. The question that follows is: where is our account of Scotland’s meaning and purpose now? What follows considers various aspects that have characterized storytelling in Scotland, including its link with the natural world, and its adoption of a theology of suffering in the face of massive and disruptive social change. It concludes by looking at how ministers can play a part in creating new narratives relevant for today’s Scotland.