The Biblical Narrative

At it's simplest and most basic level the Bible is a storybook. Within it's story there are hundreds of plots and subplots told through the literary device of narration - the account of a particular event and character having a beginning and an end, taking place at specific points in time and location.

In order to have the right understanding of the Bible it is important to understand that about 70% of the Bible is narrative. So keep these things in mind:

1. Don't let the story become an end in itself. Narrative always points to a bigger story.

2. Avoid the tendency to focus on characters as the heroes. GOD is ALWAYS the HERO.

3. Be careful about using narrative as a proof for various points of view.

4. Remember that the story does not create the event but that the event created the story.

5. Don't pull out more application from the text than it's there. Let the story drive your study, not the other way around.

6. Keep in mind that you are not the original audience for the narrative. Know who the audience was in each case.

After the 5 Books of Law the following 12 Books are narrative telling the story of God's people from the time they entered the Promise Land to the time they were allowed to return to their land after spending many years in captivity. In these stories the Bible is honest in portraying the real life situation and people so you get to see the good, the bad as well as the ugly.

In addition, keep in mind that the narrative doesn't intend to cover ALL aspects of history, theology, politics, geography, etc. but focuses on the story line describing all of these only to the effect that they are part of an add to the story.

As always I pray your journey through the Bible brings you closer to the reality of God's relationship.