Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

clarity. Answer the following questions, reviewing carefully the central concepts surrounding the special hermeneutics of both narrative and prophecy, including apocalyptic literature. 1. What is the definition of “special hermeneutics,” and how do its rules and procedures help us interpret the various literary forms of the Bible? 2. What is narrative, and how prominent is it within the Bible itself? What is the distinction between narrative materials that are “historical” versus those that are “imaginative?” 3. How do narrative or story theologians relate to the narrative accounts in Scripture? Recite the general assumptions that give shape and substance to the idea of story theology. 4. Of all the assumptions of story theologians, which one(s) do you believe are most important for all of us who seek to take the stories of the Bible seriously, as history as well as revelations of God? 5. What is the relationship of our interpretation of a story and the commentary and meaning that God gives us through the comments of the author in the biblical story accounts? Explain your answer. 6. List out the key propositions about stories, the Bible, and the Church included in this section. Of all the propositions, which one(s) do you believe are most important for us to recognize as we seek to take seriously the role of narrative in biblical interpretation? Explain your answer. 7. What are the general elements of narrative in Scripture, and how do they relate as elements to other stories told elsewhere in novels, short stories, or other kinds of literature? 8. Define prophecy as a main genre of Scripture. What do we know to be true about prophecy as it relates to our knowledge of God, the universe, and his work in the world? 9. What is “apocalyptic literature,” what books of our Bible are of this sub-genre of prophecy, and why is the study of the apocalyptic genre so important for effective biblical interpretation? 10. What three principles and perspectives are significant if we are ever to rightly interpret both prophecy and apocalyptic genres of Scripture?

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