Biblical Narrative: The Rhetoric of Story and Surprise
We must learn to read the Bible at the level of the informed imagination — William Lane
Imagination: Beyond a One-Dimensional View of the Scriptures
Informed imagination, not a runaway-imagination, added Ps Edmund Chan.
“Sanctified imagination” – Charles Spurgeon.
Three Eye-Openers
1. What is the TONE in the narrative?
It’s important so we grasp the meaning behind the dialogue.
Example: “He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me …’” (Mark 10:14)
What was Jesus’ tone? Was it a tone of indignation? He was indignant but was he angry, fault-finding, rebuking?
If we read it with our own lens we might well imagine a harsh, rebuking tone. With informed imagination and a little more observation we notice the verb used. Not “he rebuked them”. Instead, it was “he said to them”. And there were lots of little children, running about, playing and being silly. Could Jesus have used a harsh tone, rebuking his disciples, while he was saying something of an invitation to the children to come to him?
Example: “Give Me A Drink…” (John 4:7)
What was the tone? Imagine Jesus coming, tired after the long journey passing through Samaria.
What about when she questioned in respond in Jn 4:9? Interrogative? Wary? or perhaps tongue-in-cheek and incredulous?
Notice how the woman said “our father Jacob” when there was deep enmity and thus no communication normally between a Jew and a Samaritan. She could feel Jesus’ warmth and wondered “what kind of Jewish man is this?”.
And how we imagine Jesus’ tone when he said “Go, call your husband” or “You have had five husbands”. Convicting her of her sin? Or a tone of deep compassion, knowing her history, drawing this precious, hurt daughter of God to Himself?
How marvelous and eye-opening, how the Scriptures open to us and make sense, moving our hearts, when we exercise informed imagination!
2. What is the TENSION in the narrative?
What is the surprise and the tension in the story? Eg. when Esau came with 400 men to meet Jacob, we must ask “Why?” because 400 was a huge army (Gen 33:1)
Eg. when
We cannot grasp the theology — what the stories are revealing about God — until we can feel the tension that’s intended in the narrative. We need to feel the tension!
Can we slow down as we get to Joshua 2:7 and feel the tension with the words: “And the gate was shut”.
3. What is the TWIST in the narrative
Example 1. The long list of workers in Nehemiah 3
While it may read like a most boring delineation of who did what, we can sense the spirit of celebration as specific families are named as they are rebuilding the wall. But even as we work down the list we find mentions of the opposition underneath all the hopeful rebuilding. The twist comes as we get to Nehemiah 4:1
Example 2. Jesus and the Paralytic Mk 2:5
The Holey roof
After the buildup of the tension of all the trouble, the faith, the suspense of everybody wondering “What would Jesus do” when the paralytic was being lowered into the house through the roof. And Jesus said “Your sins are forgiven”. Not merely his felt need but his real need. Do we see the TWIST? At the end of the day Jesus was saying “my life for your life”. Do we get his heart?
Example 3: The Trilogy of Parables (Luke 15)
A sheep was found. Great rejoicing!
A precious coin was found. Great rejoicing!
A son was found; there was anger in the household. Get the twist? Are we like the elder brother, totally missing the heart of the Father?
Ultimately that’s the purpose of the Scripture. We must see God, know God – know His heart for us.
