Two lessons in biblical narrative - 18 July 2011 |
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Judges 19 is a classic case study of two features of biblical narrative.
First, biblical narratives frequently describe conduct that they do not commend. Dawkinsian critics of the Christian faith frequently appear not to realise this: the Bible narrates many episodes of violence, deception, polygamy, cowardice, folly, and a thousand other sins without endorsing any of them. Just because it’s in the Bible, that doesn’t make it right.
Second, biblical characters are often complex. They’re neither perfectly good nor absolutely sinful in every respect; rather, they’re mixed. Consider the main characters in Judges 19. (1) The concubine is largely a passive victim, yet she has nonetheless been unfaithful to her husband (v. 2). (2) The old man is hospitable and more righteous than the Gibeahites, yet he offers his daughter and the Levite’s concubine to the mob. (3) The Levite apparently cares for his concubine enough to seek after her despite her unfaithfulness, yet in the end he hands her over to the thugs.
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Minister's Blog