The need to interpret the Bible Part 3.

 SCRIPTURE SERIES: 

THE NEED TO INTERPRET

THE BIBLE

NARRATIVES. 

Welcome to my third post in a series of 5 on the need to Interpret the Bible.  If you missed the last two posts, check it out in the category of Scripture- the need to interpret. You may also find the posts in the 4 part series Scripture- Bible Reading Methods useful as well.

WHAT IS A NARRATIVE?

The Old Testament is over 40% in narrative genre. Narratives are stories that tell us about things that have happened to demonstrate God’s power in creation and his people.  They also provide important lessons to us living today.  All narratives including the Old Testament have a plot and characters, but in the case of the Old Testament, God is the special character.

There are three levels of narratives, viz:

1. Top level: the story of redemption.

2. Middle level: mainly dealing with Israel, Abraham and his descendants.

3. Bottom level: individual stories which in turn form part of the other two levels.

The total revelation includes both Old and New Testament, which confirm His Godhead towards His creation.  In studying any individual narrative, all by itself, we must not overlook that it forms part of the whole revelation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NARRATIVES

Other important aspects of narratives are:

1. The Old Testament stories are about what God did to and through his people. God is the ‘hero’ of the story.

2. Many aspects of narratives are not easily understood.  They are limited and do not disclose God’s mind or purpose for doing what He did or what happened. Reading into stories plots that are false can falsify the gist of the narrative.  God has NOT told us how or why he did a certain thing.  We have limited knowledge of God’s majesty and power.

3. Old Testament narratives do not always teach us directly, but they do provide us with knowledge of God’s work with His people and can have a beneficial effect on our lives and behaviour. For example: the adultery committed by David caused him harm in his personal life and his ability to rule.

4. Each individual narrative does not have a moral all of its own. To try and evaluate the story we must look not at the single bits therein, but overall to gain an insight into God’s revelation.