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 is 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.