HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Historical Considerations in Narrative
While the literary genre of narrative encompasses much more than historical report, it cannot be neglected. The issue is whether those persons and events that the writers portray as being part of the space-time continuum actually did live at the times they are alleged to have lived and actually did what is attributed to them. Many modern interpreters would prefer to give the biblical narrative the title of “story,” by which they mean that it did not contain history. To deny the existence historical narrative where the text has claimed such, much be regarded as the equivalent of denying its message. In many cases the theology taught in a text rests squarely on the reality of the events occurring as they were depicted there. Should the events prove not to be true, the theology that rests on them would necessarily not be true either.
Example: the assertion that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose again . . .” is unequivocally linked with history.
There are some narratives in which the objective existence of the historical referent is not hermeneutically consequential for an adequate understanding of the passage. Greidanus cites this point with regard to the purpose of the books of Job and Jonah. But the purpose of Jonah cannot be fully grasped without placing it against its historical antecedents. In the case of Job no particular historical setting is claimed by the book. Jonah is very different. One must appreciate the brutality of the Assyrians had meant for all who had suffered so mightily under that merciless war machine. Therefore, as in most historical narratives one key component of the story would be lost if the historical referent were dropped. Jonah is a case in point.
Example: the assertion that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose again . . .” is unequivocally linked with history.
There are some narratives in which the objective existence of the historical referent is not hermeneutically consequential for an adequate understanding of the passage. Greidanus cites this point with regard to the purpose of the books of Job and Jonah. But the purpose of Jonah cannot be fully grasped without placing it against its historical antecedents. In the case of Job no particular historical setting is claimed by the book. Jonah is very different. One must appreciate the brutality of the Assyrians had meant for all who had suffered so mightily under that merciless war machine. Therefore, as in most historical narratives one key component of the story would be lost if the historical referent were dropped. Jonah is a case in point.
The Use of History in Historical Narrative
The main difference between modern definitions of history and those we are using for biblical materials is that the Bible includes an interpretation of the events and people it describes from a divine perspective. The interpretation of narrative must give priority to the literary devices and the literary structure if we are to be successful in interpreting this very profuse genre. But if meaning is also to held accountable to the criteria of truthfulness and veracity, it will need to be ready to set that text in the primary world of realities in which it purports to have happened.