Today, we’re finally going to look at the first ultimate example of an arc. Since the Positive Change Arc is the most popular arc (and also the one we’re currently covering in our Plots and Character Arcs series), I thought I’d start with that.

The ultimate Positive Change Arc is about those who eventually turn to God for salvation. It’s important to note that I’m talking about these people as a group. Every Christian has received the same gospel, but not everyone’s stories are the same. Today’s post is a very general overview—if we went into detail, it would take us a long, long time.

Also, you’ll notice that this Positive Change Arc example ends before the story of humanity ends. As you’ll later see, this is because the story of humanity’s Resolution comes after Man’s chance for salvation has ended.

I’ll also say that this arc is not set in stone or anything… if you think any of it could have been done differently, be sure to let me know your thoughts.

If you need to brush up on your knowledge of the Positive Change Arc, be sure to review my previous posts. Otherwise, enjoy this filled-in template of the ultimate Positive Change Arc:

SETTING:

Place: Earth

Time: Eternity

MAIN CHARACTER:

Name: Man

Background/Ghost: Man used to live in perfect harmony with God, but he disobeyed and became an enemy of God.

Character’s Specific Truth: He needs God

Character’s Specific Lie: He does not need God

The Thing the Character Wants: To be like God; to rule himself

The Thing the Character Needs: Salvation from his sins

ANTAGONIST:

Name: Satan

Relationship to MC: His master and tempter

Background/Ghost: He used to serve God in Heaven, but became filled with his own pride. His rebellion against God ended up failing, and he was cast out along with the third of angels who followed him. He now preys on Man, using him to fulfill his purposes until he finally gets his chance to destroy God.

His Lie: He will prevail against God

His Want: To be like God

How does the protagonist get in the way of the antagonist’s goal?: Satan will only use Man until he no longer becomes useful to him

The connection/similarities between the antagonist and protagonist: They both want to be like God

The conflict/differences between the antagonist and protagonist: Satan is just using Man to get his own Want

The stakes: If Satan wins, he will become like God. If Man wins, he will also become like God.

(Note: As I said before, God could technically be an antagonistic force for this arc, since Man is opposed to God for most of the story. However, though Satan and Man have the same Wants, Satan proves to be the main antagonist. He basically uses Man to dishonor God and, once Man has served his purposes, he will destroy him. Remember, Man was originally made in God’s image, so to destroy him is to destroy God’s most beloved creation.)

HOOK: (Believes Lie) Man has been banished from the Garden of Eden and struggles in a sin-cursed world. However, he refuses to look to God for help, instead bent on proving his own power.

INCITING EVENT: (First hint Lie will no longer work) God gives Man a warning when He sends a flood to wipe out all but eight people. This vast display of power shows that God will not be so easy to conquer or one up.

FIRST PLOT POINT: (Lie no longer effective) At the Tower of Babel, Man’s grand attempt to

band together and become higher than God is foiled. This was basically God informing them that even their greatest attempt is nothing compared to His power.

FIRST PINCH POINT: (Punished for using Lie) With the entrance into this Adventure World where Man is divided and constantly sinning against one another, it becomes increasingly harder for him to accomplish his goal of uniting to conquer God. The story of humanity drags on and on as Man shows his rebellion time and time again, though he is no closer to being greater than God.

MIDPOINT (SECOND PLOT POINT): (Moment of Truth: Sees Truth, but doesn’t yet reject Lie) Man sees that he cannot hope to conquer God. So, instead, he decides to earn God’s favor.

SECOND PINCH POINT: (Rewarded for effectively using Truth) For a time, Man’s new strategy seems to work, and he appears to be keeping up with God’s commandments.

THIRD PLOT POINT (LOW-POINT): (Rejects Lie) Faced with the extent of God’s law, Man realizes that he can never hope to earn his way into God’s favor.

CLIMAX: (Embraces Truth) With his Lie now behind him, Man repents of his sins and recognizes Christ as the true King.

CLIMATIC MOMENT: (Uses Truth to gain Need) Man finally gains salvation, a right relationship with God, and a guaranteed entrance into Heaven.

RESOLUTION: (Enters new, Truth-empowered world) Man becomes a new creation and embarks on the sanctification process (aka a new Flat Arc), which is not covered in this series. This Flat Arc will cover the rest of Man’s role in the story of humanity.

(Note: This arc is a little bit vaguer as it goes along, as many different individuals accept Christ throughout the story of humanity. So while historical events are used as plot points at the beginning of the story, the rest of the plot points will vary in their timing.)

Comment below your questions or thoughts!