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Henry Neufeld

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Henry Neufeld

Bible Stories, Story Series, and Histories

My initial purpose in posting this document is to provide some examples of materials to study. Over time I will try to make it more comprehensive.

Introduction

In various materials on the participatory method of Bible study I refer to the difference in how we interpret individual stories, series of stories (sometimes called story cycles), and histories. Very often a series of stories is incorporated into or even forms a history. This page provides a listing of some of the major examples of all three of these types of Biblical literature. Note that while I list quite a number of these, this list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all stories and histories in the Bible. It is a starting point for those who want to spend some time working on this particular type of literature.

I am including some examples from the apocrypha, not because I consider them equally inspired with the rest of the Bible, but because I regard them as worthwhile to study, and they also provide some extra literature on which to practice.

Major Histories

  • Origins (Genesis 1-11)
    This is technically prehistory, and I am not intending to commit myself on historical issues by listing it as “history”. In fact, I do not regard the creation stories as narrative history, though in form they are related.

    • The Creation (Genesis 1-2)
      Actually two stories, Genesis 1:1-2:3 and 2:4-2:25, that are complementary in expressing God’s relationship to his creation.
    • The Fall and Deterioration (Genesis 3-5)
      One might argue this is more than one story, and if so, it would be divided into two stories, chapter 3 and 4, with the genealogy of the fifth chapter being a sort of appendix, though I think it was more central for the author.
    • The Flood (Genesis 6-9)
      How humanity was destroyed, with one family being preserved by God.
    • The Dispersal (Genesis 10-11)
      How humanity became scattered, along with some relationships.

    These stories combine to bring us to the point at which God chooses to intervene more directly through Abraham in chapter 12

  • Patriarchs (Genesis 12-50)
    The stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and then Joseph and his brothers bring us from the point of God’s intervention through a single person through his preparation to work through a group of people and then a nation.

    • Abraham (Genesis 12-25)
    • Isaac (Genesis 26-27)
    • Jacob (Genesis 28-35,48-49)
    • Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-47, 50)
  • Samuel-Kings
    First Samuel through 2 Kings provides a single history with identifiable themes running through it. It can be broken down into separate histories, including the advent of the monarchy and Saul, the accession of David and provision for the Davidic monarchy, and then the intertwined histories of the northern and southern kingdoms after Solomon. In addition, it contains the story cycles of Elijah and Elisha which bare study in themselves.
  • Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah
    Another continuous history, covering the time span of Samuel-Kings, but adding the post-exilic material of Ezra and Nehemiah. Common themes and similar styles suggests that this entire history was compiled/written after the exile. It is normally considered more separated from the source than Samuel-Kings.

Minor Blocks of History

  • Isaiah 36-39
  • Jeremiah 39-43

Gospels

  • Synoptic Gospels
    • Matthew
    • Mark
    • Luke
  • John

Church History

  • Acts

Individual, Separate Stories

  • Ruth
  • Esther
  • Jonah
  • Tobit
  • Judith

See also Interpreting History, Interpreting Allegory, and Interpreting Stories.

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  • At the center of Henry’s Web . . .
    • Energion Publications
    • Everything
    • The Jevlir Caravansary
    • Neufeld Computer Services
    • Threads from Henry’s Web
  • All My Books
    • Revelation: A Participatory Study Guide
      • Revelation Study Guide – Front Cover
      • Revelation Study Guide – Back Cover
    • Stories of the Way: Table of Contents
    • Tales from Jevlir: Oddballs – Table of Contents
    • Not Ashamed of the Gospel
    • What’s in a Version?
      • Bible Version Selection Tool
      • Catalog Page
      • Reviews
    • When People Speak for God
      • Preview
      • Front Cover
      • Back Cover
      • Where to Buy
  • Essays
    • Book Reviews
      • Book Review: How to Lie with Statistics
      • Faith, Form, and Time
      • The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research
      • Review: Leviticus by Jacob Milgrom
    • Christian Experience
      • Dance Floor Worship
      • Principle and Compromise
      • His Deeds Keep Following Him
      • Thoughts on Revival
    • Politics and Society
      • Make Education a Priority
      • Moral Person – Moral Nation
      • Media Bias
      • Justice and Truth
    • God Does Things Backwards
    • Personal Statement of Beliefs
    • The Bible: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority
      • Inerrancy FAQ
      • Inspiration, Biblical Authority, and Inerrancy
      • Bible Translations FAQ
    • Stand on the Mount before the Lord
      • The Danger of Assurance
      • The Hand of God
      • The Hand of God: Prayer
      • The Hand of God: Miracles
  • Bible Passages
    • Bible Stories, Story Series, and Histories
    • Hebrew Scriptures
      • Hebrew Transliteration Table
      • Problems in the Genealogies of Genesis 5 & 11
      • Ezekiel 1: A Glimpse of the Glory of Yahweh
      • Genesis Creation Stories – Form, Structure, and Relationship
      • The Two Flood Stories
      • PSALM 104: GOD — CREATOR AND SUSTAINER
        • Psalm 104: Appendix, Translation, and Notes
    • New Testament
      • A New Look at the Seals of Revelation
      • Hebrews Translation
    • Resources for Study
      • Resources for Studying Paul
      • Resources for Dating the Book of Daniel
      • Commentaries on Torah
      • Reading Job Video Collection
      • Resources for My Knowing God Series
  • Books
    • Books by Author
      • David Alan Black
      • Bruce G. Epperly
      • Dorothy L. Sayers
    • Process Theology Books
    • Stewardship Books
    • Book Review: The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth
  • Misc Essays
    • Construction for the New Year
      • The Proverbs 31 Woman Is Real
      • Holiness or Sanctimony
      • A Passion for the Passion
      • Obedience and Waiting
      • Live It!
      • You Have Been Rebelling
    • God Does It, But You Do It
      • A Fruitful Faith
      • Was Paul an Exegete?
      • Of Trees and Saplings
      • I Know That My Redeemer Lives
      • Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians
  • Henry and Jody Neufeld
    • Monday Morning Devotion
    • A Personal Testimony
  • Contact