[Editor's Note: Our systematic study of the entire Bible begins day after tomorrow. With that in mind, this article is designed to help you in your personal studies of the Bible narratives.]
How to Study the Bible Narratives by Carey Dillinger
According to Eerdman's Bible Handbook (p.58, 59) there are
three stages to approaching the study of a passage of scripture.
These stages are especially helpful when the meaning of the passage
is not obvious or plain.
Stage 1 - Determine what the passage actually says.
Stage 2 - Determine what the passage means.
Stage 3 - Determine if the passage has meaning today.
In determining what the passage actually says we must examine its setting, purpose, context, form and words. In this lesson we will begin a study of the various forms of Biblical literature starting with the Bible narratives. These narratives (or storybooks) include the books of history and biography found in both the Old and New Testaments. They include Genesis through Esther in the Old Testament and Matthew through Acts in the New Testament.
When the Bible narratives are referred to as storybooks, do not think that they are a collection of fairy tales, myths, legends, and fables. They are none of these. They are the inspired words of God handed down to us through the hands of His chosen writers. The narratives are storybooks in the sense that they tell a story of the history and/or lives of God's people - told from God's perspective. In other words, God tells us only what He wants us to know and He does not expect us to fill in the blanks.
"The Bible narratives tell us about things that happened
- but not just any things. Their purpose iss to show God at work
in his creation 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."
(How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fee and Stuart, p. 79)
What the Bible Narrative Are Not
1- They are not just stories about people who lived in Bible
times.
2- They are not allegories or stories filled with hidden meaning.
3- They do not always teach in a direct manner.
4- Each individual episode within a particular narrative does
not necessarily have a moral all its own.
(Fee and Stuart, pp. 81-83)
Ten Principles for Interpreting the Old Testament Narratives
Our three-year course of Bible study begins with a study of the Old Testament narratives in January, 2002 with a comprehensive study of the book of Genesis and will continue into April, 2003 when we will study Esther. It is imperative that we know what we are about as we enter into such a study. No one wants 15 months of work by the teachers and students to go for naught. Let's keep the following ten principles close at hand as we begin and continue our study.
1- OT narratives do not usually teach a doctrine in a direct
manner.
2- They usually illustrate a doctrine or doctrines taught elsewhere.
3- Not every narrative has an identifiable moral, because they
record what happened, not what should have happened.
4- The actions of the people in the narratives are not necessarily
a good example for us to follow.
5- Most of the characters found in the OT narratives are far from
perfect and their actions depict their weaknesses as well as their
strengths.
6- When a narrative ends we are expected to judge whether what
happened was good or bad based on God's teachings found elsewhere
in scripture.
7- All narratives are selective and incomplete. What is included
is everything God wanted us to know.
8- They are written with a particular specific limited purpose
in mind. They are not written to answer all of our theological
questions.
9- Sometimes narratives teach explicitly (by clearly stating something)
or implicitly (by clearing implying something, without actually
stating it).
10- God is the hero of all of the Bible narratives.
(Fee and Stuart, pp. 83, 84.)
Eight Common Errors Committed When Looking For Bible Answers
Every answer to every Bible question cannot be found in every
passage of scripture. It is a grave mistake to read our own opinions
into any Bible passage while we search the scriptures for answers.
1- Do not make passages symbolic that are not meant to be symbolic.
2- Do not remove the passage from its context. If you focus your
attention to minutely you can make the scriptures say anything
you want them to.
3- Do not remove a word or phrase from a passage and make that
your only focus. This technique of bad Bible study is even more
dangerous than taking a passage out of context.
4- Do not take elements of a passage that are not directly connected
and make a point of this false combination.
5- Do not redefine the plain meaning of a passage because you
do not like its point.
6- Do not rely on the writings of man to interpret the scriptures
for you. Especially avoid any writings that claim special authority
from God or claim to be "a key to the scriptures."
7- Do not think that principles for godly living can be derived
from every passage of scripture. Every passage does not have a
moral.
8- Do not try to find God's message to you or your group in every
passage of scripture. It is not there. Monkey-see-monkey-do Bible
reading is dangerous. The stories of Joseph or Ruth are their
stories, not ours. What God chose to accomplish through them is
not what God has in mind for us.
(Fee and Stuart, pp. 90-93.)
Homework
As we study through the Bible narratives keep the following questions in mind. Use the scriptures in parentheses for practice.
[Editor's Note: Before we begin our study of Exodus we will have a lesson on How to Study Law in the Bible.]
God Uses Bad For Good by W. Perry D. Hall (perry-janet-hall@juno.com)
"Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9).
Yes, it was ridiculous. No, there isn't a rational explanation.
Again, yes, I knew the already historically determined outcome.
And again, no, I didn't think it would change; nor did I think
my inward screaming could alter history.While reading to my girls,
I read about Judas' betrayal of Jesus - of a friend by a friend
(Jn 13:18; Ps 41:9). No one, including Jesus, has escaped that
same penetrating loneliness, piercing our soul by a friend's betrayal.
I mentally shouted as Judas left the upper room, "Don't do
it." Futile, I know, but that's how I felt.
While history records massacres, catastrophes, starvations, and other horrifying events, no event matches the love and hate found on the cross. Mere words cannot reach down into the fathomless depths of either that love or hate. No ocean, nor no human mind, is deep enough to contain the explanation. Revulsion consumes my soul. This entire scene, from betrayal to the lingering suffering, agonizes my mind. His pierced hands and side pierce my heart. Shuddering and trembling overtake me when reading, yes, simply reading the words "there they crucified Him" (Lk 23:33).
How can mere words, without the evocative benefit of speech, cause such inward shrinking from pain? Dear friends, those are not mere words. The crucifixion's reality is as assuredly real as you and I. Both self-righteous and godless men crucified Jesus. And yet, shame and delight grip me simultaneously; almost as paradoxically as the love and hate on that darkened day. As loudly as the rebellious, ignorant, and jealous rogues clamor "crucify Him, crucify Him" (Mk 15:13,14), I, the eternally grateful sinner, cry out, "my Lord and my God" (Jn 20:28).
It sounds somewhat selfish, but I am glad, in a way, Judas did it. (Not that I'm glad for his sin, but how God can use bad for good.) I am a lost sinner in need of salvation from sin. God in His sovereign grace and power used Judas' evil betrayal and Jesus' selfless sacrifice for my redemption. My flesh, imagining the torture of nails piercing through and securing the body of the innocent Jesus to splintered wood, shouts out to Judas, "Don't do it!" My eternal spirit, fearing the torture of hell awaiting the unforgiven, whispers, "Thank you, Jesus!" "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
GOSPEL MEETING: David Tant, January 27-February 1, 2002
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and
visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com