Interpreting Narratives I. What is meant by “narratives”? When we speak of the narrative portions of the Scripture, we are referring primarily to the historical portions of the Scripture. Approximately thirty-five percent of the Bible is narrative.

The word “narrative” is preferred over the term “story” because “story” often carries the idea of something being fictional or not based in reality.

“One of the primary faith confessions of both Christianity and Judaism is that God has chosen to reveal Himself in extraordinary ways in human history, yet in the ordinary events and circumstances in which human beings live and work. Those extraordinary encounters with God within ordinary human history are the heart of the Biblical witness to God.” – Dennis Bratcher

II. What makes narratives unique when it comes to biblical interpretation? A. Narratives are records of significant historical events. This includes:

1. Significant world events. a. Creation b. Flood c. World Conquests d. Birth and Life of Christ

2. Significant events in God’s dealings with His people. a. Fall of Man b. Establishing of Covenants c. The Exodus d. History of Israel e. Birth of the Church

3. Significant events in the life of key individuals. a. Adam and Eve b. Noah c. Abraham d. Jacob e. Joseph

f. Moses g. David h. Elijah i. Jesus j. Paul

B. Narratives of the Bible are records of what took place, not necessary what should have taken place. This means that the interpreter will be required to make a judgment on that which is taking place in the passage based on the other clear teachings of the Bible.

C. Narratives are usually incomplete or limited in that they do not contain anyone’s full story nor do they cover any event in its entirety. God has given us enough to lead us to a correct understanding of Him and His purposes for our lives (II Pet. 1:2-4).

D. Narratives do not teach doctrine directly. Whatever truths that are extracted from them will come in the form of inference and illustration. The fact that narratives teach indirectly does not mean, however, that the narratives should be taken lightly or that they should be seen to be any “less-inspired” than the rest of the Scriptures (II Tim. 3:16).

E. Narratives of the Bible are preserved for us to teach us about how God relates to man, how man is to relate to God and how man can better enter into and fulfill the ultimate purpose of God.

“Biblical narratives tell us about things that happened—but not just any things. Their purpose is to show God at work in his creation and among his people. The narratives glorify him, help us to understand and appreciate him, and give us a picture of his providence and protection. At the same time they also provide illustrations of many other lessons important to our lives” (Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 79).

F. Narratives of the Bible are history, but they are more than history.

III. What is the value or purpose of narrative? The narratives of Scripture can serve the believer in many ways. A. The narratives provide an account of God’s redemptive plan for man worked out in history. B. The narratives help us to see history through God’s eyes.

C. The narratives provide examples to us of other men and women of faith from whom we can draw strength (Heb. 11:2). D. The narratives provide visual illustrations of divine truth. E. The narratives assist New Testament believer in learning from the positive example or the mistakes of others.

F. The narratives can be a great tool to help people remember important spiritual lessons.

IV. What process is involved in interpreting the narratives? A. Seek to understand the natural setting of the narrative. 1. This includes understanding the historical setting of the narrative.

This includes such things as: Specific places Geography Objects Activities Customs

Social Values Politics World Events Etc.

2. This includes understanding the various character involved in the narrative. 3. This includes the plot line and how this narrative fits into God’s plan of the ages.

B. Seek to understand the plot of the narrative in question. To do this you will have to read the account in its entirety including that which comes before, that which follows and any other parallel accounts of the same event. As you read you will be asking certain questions that will help you to better understand what is actually happening.

1. Who are the principle characters? 2. How are they related to each other? 3. What is the flow of action? 4. Who is acting and upon whom is the action being made? 5. What is the point of conflict or tension? 6. How does the story come to a place of resolve?

7. How does this event relate to what has gone before? To what follows? 8. Is there anything in the recording of this event that reflects God’s attitude toward the person or the action? 9. Are there any other verses that shed light on this passage?

C. Seek to discover what issues are at play in the narrative. “As part of our engagement with the story and part of our response to it, we need to ask how the narrative engages human needs, wants, longings, sins, failures, ambitions, emotions, all of those things that are a part of human existence.” –Dennis Bratcher

D. Seek to understand any key or unique words that are used by the writer to record this event. E. Seek to find God in the narrative. F. Seek to determine what part of the narrative has meaning for us today.

V. What are some cautions when it comes to interpreting the narratives? There are some cautions that the interpreter must be aware of when interpreting the narrative portions of the Scripture. A. Do not seek a symbolic interpretation of a natural event unless the Bible itself instructs to do so (I Cor. 10:1-11).

B. Understand that most, but not all narrative material is presented in a chronological or sequential way. C. Focus on what the narrative says, not on what you want the narrative to say.