Big Idea In Biblical Narrative

In the Old Testament, this is sometimes true because of the sheer amount of writing devoted to particular characters, such as Moses and David. Other times, there may be very little writing comparatively speaking devoted to a particular character, such as Jonah and the whale.

Big Idea in Biblical Narrative

But whether long or small portions, these biblical narrative passages are captured and sealed into the minds of readers. How is this so? From a literary standpoint, narratives possess all that lends to an enjoyable, shakable, suspenseful, compelling reading. Rather, the impact given to you and me as reader in a text is found and solidified in the narrative structure itself.

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You may be wondering what I mean by that- how can the impact a narrative text has on me be found in the narrative itself? We might understand that when it comes to a book like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, but we are talking about the Bible, a book that is supposed to be spiritual in nature! Can we really say that the Bible is impactful because of its grammatical structure? To place Genesis 22 into its proper context, the author signals a continuing thread, preparing the reader for transition Klein et al.

Biblical Narrative Passages- How to Find the Small Clues that Tell Us the Big Idea

For the reader who has worked through chapters of Genesis, the ending of chapter 21 would seem like a good place to stop with the story of Abraham. However, the writer introduces a new phase into the what we might call the Abrahamic act Fokkelman , indeed the final definitive phase of the Abrahamic act by way of introducing the Abraham of Genesis 22 in comparison to the Abraham of Genesis The writer does this with an interesting use of the technique of parallelism.

This may not be realized by those who read Genesis 22 as an isolated account, but those who read the full account of the man Abraham, the parallelism is unmistakable:. The author, by using phrasing and structure of thought, brings the reader back to the starting point of this man and cues us in to approach this text with a mindset of assessing the character development of Abram, now Abraham.

We know that up to this point Abraham has been found faithful. Looming in the backdrop is also another question: Now that this son has been given, will Abraham show himself to be a man lacking resiliency? The author continues the parallel structure to give the reader an indication that we are dealing with the same resolve for obedience:.

Finding The Main Point of a Passage of Scripture

Undoubtedly, there is a lot involved when being told to relocate from a land you have known your whole life, just as there is a lot involved when being told to sacrifice the son you have just received after years and years of waiting. Yet the author does not intend to lose our focus by discussing all the preparations involved, not to mention what may have been said to Sarah!

Instead, the author has a very clear goal of character development in mind that need not be side stepped by additional data. The selectivity keeps the narrative progressing into an exposition of how the sacrifice was performed, not how the sacrifice seemed plausible or implausible. In terms of Abraham as character, there is certainly grounds to consider development that has taken place. The reader notes that Abraham always seemed to have a backup plan when obeying God in actuality. When God directs him to Egypt, Abraham proposes that Sarah identify herself as his sister for fear of his life Gen.

Now, in the text of Genesis 22, the reader notices that this character trait is no longer present.

Instead, the author gives the picture of a resilient Abraham who hears the words, sets out on the journey, and cuts the wood for the offering. Abraham does not seek to substitute a servant for his son, nor does he seek out Ishmael in hopes that just as he was good enough for a substitutional offspring, he may be enough for a substitutional sacrifice. These roadblocks never come up, nor are the thoughts or concerns thereof entertained in the text, showing the reader a developed man of faith.

It may surprise the reader to note how little talking occurs in this passage.

Finding The Main Point of a Passage of Scripture | Westwood Baptist Church

As compared to instances earlier in the Abrahamic acts even the previous chapter the author utilizes a liberal amount of dialogue to direct the narrative. In this case, there is only that which is necessary to break the eerie silence of suspense and propel the narrative towards the height of suspense which will be found upon the heights of the mountain where the sacrifice is to be performed.

Notice the detail of time, only to further leave the reader wanting for conversation pieces! The diagnostic question I like to use is: Second, consider the context. No passage of the Bible exists alone. Rather, every text is part of an argument, story, or collection of passages that has purposefully been arranged by the author.

What comes before my passage and what comes after are important, and will help me to understand what is in my passage. It may help to realize the topic the author is addressing. It may help me to see a larger section in my book. It may provide a helpful correction to something I have been misreading in my passage. It may even help me to understand the historical situation of the first audience.

And my diagnostic question is: Given what I just mentioned about context, it only makes sense to zoom all the way out and ask about the book. Of course, it takes some work to really understand the theme of a whole book. They inspire, influence, reveal, connect, and motivate people to action.

• Possessed by the Sheikh (Mills & Boon M&B) (Arabian Nights, Book 3) (Sheikhs Arabian Night series)?
• Account Options.
• Finding the Point of a Passage.
• Courting Caressa.

This books aims to practically help preachers and teachers take the narratives in the Bible, discover the author's BIG IDEA, decipher their meanings, and deliver God's Word with power and effectiveness. Many preachers today are confused and troubled about their preaching. Bryan Anderson is not confused and his superb manuscript on the "big idea" in narrative preaching is practical, sound and compelling. I cannot recommend too highly his careful and attractive work. Bryan Anderson has mastered narrative preaching.

For those of us who are blessed by his preaching every Sunday, we are thankful for Pastor Anderson's groundbreaking work. Every preacher can greatly benefit from his book. Meinerts, Retired Missionary We all love stories! Bryan Anderson's work is a great help in this. His is a readable, practical guide to discovering, deciphering, and delivering the truth God reveals through these narratives.

The Big Idea in Biblical Narrative is a great resource that will serve preachers and teachers well for years to come. Read more Read less. Here's how restrictions apply.

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