Narrative Themes Of the Bible Introduction

                                             Narrative Themes? What is that? 

Narrative Themes is centered around Narrative Theology

Narrative: story   Theology: study of God

Narrative Theology is the study of God in biblical stories.

Simply, it is looking at bible stories and seeing the person of God as He interacts with people, thus, understanding who He is and what He is like. In other words, it is looking at bible stories where God interacts with people and seeing His heart. In His relations with people we see His mercy; His goodness; His justice; His holiness. We see how God reveals these important attributes about Himself in His relationships with broken, imperfect people. 

Narrative Theology is the study of biblical doctrine revealed in stories. 

Simply, it is taking bible doctrine and understanding its meaning through stories where, again, God interacts with people. For example, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If you are anything like me, you say, "Well, what's that supposed to mean?" We can then go to the story of Abraham, where God gives him a promise of a son, but Abraham doesn't see it for 25 years. We can look at Abraham and see what faith looks like when we have a hope in a promise, but have not seen it yet. 

What I personally love about Narrative Theology is that it reminds me that God is not a doctrine. A great example is John 11:23, 24. In these verses Jesus tells Martha that her brother, Lazarus, will rise again. Marth immediately responds, "Yes, I know he will rise again at the last day." In essence she is telling Jesus, "I know the doctrine of the resurrection. I was there when you taught it, Jesus. I am very familiar with it." Then Jesus responds, "I am the resurrection and the life." In other words, "Martha, the resurrection is not a doctrine; it is a person. I am the resurrection."

In this Jesus is speaking many things: "Justification is not a doctrine; I am your justification. Sanctification is not a doctrine; I am your sanctification. Glorification is not a theology; I am your glorification. Whatever 'ation' you can think of, I am." 

Bible doctrine is very important to study and understand, but Narrative Theology always brings us back to the understanding, it's all found in the person of Jesus Christ. 

So, in this study we are simply going to take themes of the bible, such as the love of God, and see how these various themes play out as God walks with fallen, broken people. What does God's love look like? And what effect does it have upon broken people when the revelation of His love begins to work in their lives?

Sound interesting? Let's open our bibles together and break bread.