Missionaries faced with the task of explaining the gospel to people in radically different contexts have often found bridges embedded within the culture itself. Don Richardson became known for the book, Peace Child, in which he recounts being a missionary in New Guinea wrestling with how to share the gospel with tribes who are perpetually at war. Eventually he discovered a practice where two tribes would give one of their children to the other tribe to be raised as their own. In such a scenario, it would guarantee that neither tribe would be likely to attack the other. Richardson then used this practice as a means to contextualize the gospel message, saying that God has given us his Son as a “peace child.” In later years, Richardson popularized the term “redemptive analogy” and wrote about how such analogies are used throughout Scripture, including Paul’s employment of the “altar to the unknown God.” While all analogies break down at some point, there are often practices and stories within other cultures that can be used to point to the gospel.
Missiological fiction provides the opportunity to explore redemptive analogies in a unique way. This became clear to me as I discovered something related to Chaharshenbeh Suri, the Iranian practice of jumping over fire during the annual Nowruz (New Year) festival. During the festival has ancient roots related to Zoroastrianism, there is a song that is sung or chanted before the jump, while looking at the fire. This song has clear redemptive qualities.
“Take my sickly yellow pallor (or pastiness). Give me your rosy glow.”
This expressive desire for new life became the central metaphor for communicating the gospel in Arman’s Freedom. As a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, I wanted to use Chaharshenbeh Suri to appeal to those who, like me, enjoy Christian fiction. I connected the “rosy glow” metaphor, therefore, with C.S. Lewis’s famous story of Eustace Scrubb, whose selfishness and greed turned him into a dragon. In his misery and shame, Eustace tried to use his claws to tear off the dragon skin, but all he managed to do was cause himself a great deal of pain and depression. When Aslan tears into him, however, it’s worse at first, but soon the pain gives way to joy as Eustace realizes he’s been turned back into a boy. This well-known and beloved story is a beautiful illustration of how we cannot save ourselves through our own effort nor do we accomplish sanctification by works, but all are in need of the saving grace of Jesus.
In my novel, Arman is plagued by scars which he earned by foolish behavior while jumping over fire the year before in Iran. His actions, which he understands to be sinful, had substantial consequences for both he and his family, causing them all to live with deep shame. For many months, Arman had been hiding his three scars while desperately hoping they would heal on their own. His wounds, and his inability to make them heal, serve as a constant reminder of his sin.
While in a dream, Atrin – who represents Jesus – tells him to jump over a fire (You would need to read the book to understand why). Before doing so, Arman realizes that the ancient chant of “Take my sickly yellow pallor. Give me your rosy glow” feels more like a prayer. Taking the leap, time slows to an impossible crawl. At first he is visually reminded of his sins and assumes that he is about to be eternally judged. Then something very different happens.
A flame shot out of the fire like orange lightning. It entered into the scar on Arman’s ankle, shot up his left leg, through his torso, and into the wound on his chest, which was now emanating a dark yellowish glow. It flew out of his chest and slammed into his face, knocking his head backward. It coursed through his flesh and bones with an immobilizing force, drawing the very air out of his lungs. And yet, he began to understand that this was not a hopeless pain. It was more like a doctor wrenching a dislocated shoulder into place.
It is my hope that this parable connects with lovers of fiction in a way that both makes the gospel beautiful and helps them see how to find redemptive analogies in other cultures, such as those heavily governed by shame and honor, in order to make the gospel known.
Check out Arman’s Freedom on Amazon
David Parks 