Stories from the OLD-en days! {narrative}

Did you know? Narrative is the single most common type of literature in the Bible -- comprising over 40% of the Old Testament.

nar·ra·tive

: something that is narrated : story, account

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrative

According to Fee and Stuart, Narratives are stories--purposeful stories retelling the historical events of the past that are intended to give meaning and direction for a given people in the present. (pg. 90, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth)


As you enter the individual stories, don't lose sight of the BIGGER PICTURE.

meta-nar·ra·tive

As you engage a narrative (and the entire Bible), keep the WHOLE of Scripture in view.  Each individual story fits into the larger context -- the initial creation, the fall of humanity, the power and nature of sin, the need for redemption and Christ's incarnation and sacrifice.

So what does the Old Testament as a whole contribute?  Remember, the BIG PICTURE is the "story of God's redeeming a people for His name."

What about all the individual stories?