How to Interpret Biblical Narrative

The Holy Bible is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Narrative is the most prevalent form of writing found in Biblical scriptures. Biblical narratives relate stories spanning 15 centuries, from the creation stories of Genesis to the prophetic writings of Revelation. All the stories of the Holy Scriptures contribute to the one over-arching story of the supremacy, fatherhood, justice and mercy of God. The narratives of the Bible are stories within a story, with each narrative contributing to the explanation and description of God's creation of humanity, His interactions and relationship with humankind and His ultimate intentions for human beings.

Things You'll Need

• Holy Bible

Instructions

1. 

   The fall of humankind is precipitated by Satan's lie regarding the forbidden fruit.

   Read the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation to gain a general understanding of the relationship of God to humankind. In Genesis, God is portrayed through narrative as the creator and the omniscient, all-powerful ruler of his creation. Genesis narrative establishes the conflict with protagonist and antagonist. The conflict begins with the fall of the first created couple, Adam and Eve, when they disobey God and become mortal, thus beginning the struggle between good and evil. The book of Genesis also begins the "Scarlet Thread of Salvation," the plot that gives purpose to all the narratives of the Bible and runs throughout the Scriptures, culminating in the climactic book of Revelation where the savior comes to complete the process of salvation and restore God's people to immortality.

2. 

   Archaeologists escavate ancient cities recorded in the Bible.

   Study Biblical stories. Identify the characters, plot and cultural setting. State the problem and the resolution to the problem. Observe how the narratives move the plot of God's purpose for humankind forward, as God brings about his purpose through his dealings with individuals and nations of people throughout the 15 centuries spanned by the Biblical narratives.

3. 

   Biblical narratives use similar, methaphor and other literary devices to tell the story.

   Analyze the narrative to determine how the story fits into the larger plot of the entire Bible: the relationship of God with humankind and God's plan to redeem humankind from the fall into sin. The implied and explicit message of the narratives is God's plan to save his creation as he saves certain historical individuals from their travails.

4. 

   Jesus is the incarnate God, the central figure in interpretation of Biblical narrative.

   Remember that Biblical narratives are intended to glorify and illuminate God. The ultimate message of each narrative, whether indicated directly or indirectly, is to further reveal the nature of God and his intentions for humankind.

References

• The Voice: "Guidelines for Interpreting Biblical Narrative"; Dennis Bratcher
• "Determining the Story Structures in the Narrative Literature of the Bible"; Barry McWilliams
• "The Art of Biblical Narrative"; Robert Alter; 1981
• Theological Studies: Interpeting the Narrative Portions of Scriptures
• "Willimington's Guide to the Bible"; H. L. Willmington; 1984
• Prophecy by the Book: What is the Central Theme of the Bible

Resources

• Mt. Abraham Union Middle/ High School: Six Elements of a Narrative
• "The Holy Bible"