Reading Biblical Narrative: An Introductory Guide

by J.P. Fokkelman

Narrator, characters, action, hero, quest, plot, time and space, entrances and exits--these are the essential components of all narrative literature. This authoritative and engaging introduction to the literary features of biblical narrative and poetry will help the reader grasp the full significance of these components, allowing them to enter more perceptively into the narrative worlds created by the great writers of the Bible.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a technical look at the literary interpretation of Biblical narrative. It’s written by a critical theologian who seeks to take scripture's literary aspects seriously.

Fokkelman’s work is excellent and what I admire most about it is his ability to show how the narrative dynamics ought to shape our interpretation.

I can’t entirely agree with every conclusion or dogmatic stance he takes, but this book deeply edified me.

[Brad Hough · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 // Helpful in developing my perspective of the Old Testament Historical Books as literature (which doesn’t undermine their historicity), and what this means for discerning themes and purposes. But that’s about it. For Fokkelman, the concept of the Bible as the inspired word of God is basically absent. The human author is king, which means any mention of God or implied divine purposes in the Old Testament is solely the human author’s purview. This not only undermines the significance of the Bible, of course, but also leads to some bizarre interpretive gymnastics for some passages of Scripture and an odd insistence that any interpretive work on other passages is nothing more than an attempt to “massage away” textual contradictions.

[Jeremy Gardiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Easily the worst book I've ever read. Every page was drudgery due to the complex and unclear wording. On top of that, the theology was dreadful. I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room numerous times.

Here's a sampling of the theology espoused:

On 2 Kings 4: "Moreover, being a child of his time the prophet suffers from the traditional notion that every woman considers motherhood the fulfillment of her life, and without paying attention to the fact that she is not very interested, he announces that she will have a child."

On God/Satan census: "On What we should do is understand that it suits the writer of the composition Joshua through Kings to pin the suggestion on God, whereas it suits the Chronicles author to push Satan forward as the firebrand. One writer’s image of God is totally different than that of the other"

"Indeed, we are here confronted with a formidable contradiction, and we should be careful not to massage this away through our own clever reasoning."

"Mark presents his own picture of Jesus, which is different than Luke’s. Long live diversity—there may be more than one truth…"

"The average believer and the traditional churchgoer assume that if God considers something good or bad, the writer will agree with him. This is based, however, on two identifications that cannot be maintained: firstly, the contention that the character “God” in the biblical text is the same as the supernatural being (the metaphysical entity God) the churchgoer believes in, and secondly, that the writer of course has no choice but to serve this God. The God of the books of Samuel is not exactly the same as the God of Moses, the great orator from Deuteronomy, and something else entirely than the God of Ecclesiastes."

[Marc Scaturro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book helpful.

Fokkelman gets you thinking about exegesis in an insightful way. This is a great read for anyone wanting to get more out of their Bible. No biblical languages required.

[Keith Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb but technical

[Eric Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Helpful. Fokkelman has a keen eye for the narrative and literary features of the Scriptures. Basically teaches by example, walking readers through several biblical stories illuminating the plot, narrator's voice, character, settings of the text.

[Andy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approach to narrative that is fresh and (usually, though not always) balances a true belief in the word of God while still being honest in asking questions of the text, and being honest with the narrative.

[Andre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book that I needed for my Genesis class. I definitely learned a few things but didn't find it something mind-blowing at all...

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fokkelman has some unique contributions but I found the writing style difficult and the author's anger toward God off-putting.

[Tyler C · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just remember this being an incredibly slow read with not much to contribute.