Narrative
Most of the Bible is a narrative: a story written to entertain
or inform. Because the Bible is set in the past, it is sometimes called a
‘historical narrative’.
Historical narratives contain details (characters, events and places) which are factually accurate, but the purpose of a historical narrative is not to report on these details. Instead it is to tell something
which the author thinks is important; a value, a behaviour, an attitude or a belief.
Narratives follow a distinctive pattern and structure.
- Orientation (Introduction of characters and setting)
- Development of a problem or conflict
- Resolution of the problem
- Coda (where we often see the result of what has happened)
Narratives often contain…
- A clear plot
- Defined characters
- Lots of detail
- Dialogue
- Language which keeps you engaged
- Lots of verbs
- A climax
How does a narrative convey meaning?
A narrative is a story. Its purpose is to entertain or
inform. Narratives convey meaning through the connections they make between the
characters and the reader or listener and through the ‘truths’ they teach, not
necessarily in the literal detail.
Usually, one of the characters undergoes a change in their
thinking or behaviour and this prompts the listener to think about their
behaviour, to learn a lesson or to find a message.
When you read and interpret a biblical narrative spend more time thinking about what the story teaches, rather than the detail it contains.
The important question is ‘What does it mean?’, not ‘Did it happen exactly as the author has said?’.
An important point to remember is that Biblical narratives were written for people who knew the world of the story. We don’t – so you might need to do some research on the history of the passage before you are sure about what it means.
A special type of narrative: the parable
A parable is a particular type of narrative: it is completely made up.
However, it will be plausible – it could have happened.
In a parable, two ‘things’ are compared. Sometimes the ‘things’ being compared are ways of being (eg parables about the kingdom of God
compare the kingdom of God and a human activity). Sometimes the things being
compared are the actions of people (eg the Good Samaritan compares how the
characters behave).
In order to understand the parable, you need to find out
what is being compared and then actually do the comparison! Meaning is found as
we sift and sort out what might be a lesson or message for us.
Parables make us think. In fact, the comparison is designed
to make us think.
Parables are different from ordinary narratives in that
possible meanings (and there will most likely be plenty of them) are found as
we compare!
How does a parable convey meaning?
Example parables (such as The Good Samaritan) make us think
about who is a good example for us: they give us an example of how to behave
and how not to behave.
Be careful though: if you think it’s easy it’s not!
P
arables are intended to make you think. Usually there is a
twist in them somewhere.
And remember! When you think about the things being
compared, try to think as a person from the time of the author. Think like
them… not like us!
Examples of Narrative:
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Narrative
