With any body of sizable development, there is both the forest and the trees. While individual proofs establish doctrine, the story is derived from it. The proofs are like the pieces of the puzzle, and the story is like the front of the box. The proofs are the individual bricks, but if they don’t make a plumb wall, they accomplish nothing.
After study, you will always have a story. Fitting the pieces together, of any major part of theology, always shows the whole, as it is written, There is no shadow of turning in Him (James 1:17). As we, therefore, begin to correctly see any piece of the mystery God has laid out, and more and more perfectly, we will see God.
If, however, the overall picture of our theology leads us to something other than the over-reaching character and nature of Him, the person of who God is, merciful, gracious, abounding in loving kindness and compassionate to all, we have developed our theme wrong, and are heeding the wrong voice. While it may be only a few minors, ultimate theology, ultimate study of the end times, and subjects such as hell, will always, and only bring us back to the true, and an even greater revelation of God.
Always be aware of when people substitute story for Scripture. This happens for a number of reasons, one of the most benign of which is simply time. Sometimes, it is simply quicker and easier to describe how a particular piece fits in relation to the over-arching story, than it is to pull out a doctrinal point, which may rely some on major, minor, or even speculative points. But, the essential is that one basis the substance of their story upon the major elements of doctrine, and in lesser degree, the minor and speculative ones. Too often, it is all too easy, to write off a legitimate question simply because it does not fit with one’s story, and to use story to justify its dismissal, not scripture. While a complete construction of story from arguments is not always warranted, story will do, but always be aware of the difference, and why you’re using one or the other. Never use story as a substitute for substance.
With that, let us study story. It is the story of God; it is the story of Israel, national and spiritual. And, if we have the right story, we will more easily find and identify the structure and substance, hence, we will not just be acquainted with God’s works, but also His ways (Psalm 103:7).