The Development and Application of an Interpretive Strategy for Old Testament Narratives
Item Preview
Abstract:
Preachers are responsible to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2), a significant portion of which is in the form of Old Testament narrative literature. Although these Old Testament narratives originate in another era, language, and culture, an accurate understanding of these stories can enable preachers to prepare sermons that proclaim “God’s Word to us today.” The preacher’s task is to develop and apply genre-sensitive interpretive strategies that will enable him or her to determine the meaning and significance of these Old Testament stories so that our contemporary audiences have an opportunity to hear, understand, and respond appropriately to the Word of God. The purpose of this thesis project is to introduce preachers to an interpretive strategy designed specifically for Old Testament narrative literature. The content presents a three-stage interpretive strategy: choosing the text, hearing the text, and interpreting the text. Each stage of the interpretive strategy employs exercises that demonstrate an informed Old Testament narrative orientation. This three-stage interpretive strategy is developed and presented as a three-session course that can be offered independently or taught as part of a more comprehensive course on interpreting Old Testament genres.
