As part of my preparation to teach a course on Biblical Narrative next semester I am collecting together links to my podcasts on this topic here is what I have so far (if you can spot any “missing” podcasts – either ones I’ve done but forgotten, or ones I should do – please let me know :)

The big picture: what are biblical narratives like and how do they work

What is a narrative “about”

• 2 Samuel 5:1 – 7:29: Bible stories have depth!
• Chance or Providence?

Biblical narrative is realistic

• Judges 13:1 – 16:31: Samson a biblical superhero?
• 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:25: David and Bathsheba?

Biblical narrative is terse

• Fraught with Background: Genesis 24
• Genesis 37: Providence
• Genesis 39-41: Older and wiser

Biblical narratives preach rather than inform

• Judges 4:1 – 5:31: Deborah – a twice-told tale
• E100-36: 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:25: David and Bathsheba?

Humour in bibllical narrative

• Humour in the Bible: Part 1: Introducing Saul
• Humour in the Bible: Part 2: Still Introducing Saul
• Sexual humour in Esther
• Jonah: Thoroughly fishy!

Judge for yourself, and in so doing judge yourself!

• Genesis 42: Keeping up appearances
• Genesis 43-44: The tension mounts

Technical aspects

Point of view

• Babbling about Babel: Gen 11:1-9: Part 1

Characterisation

• Ruth is from Moab, but Boaz is from Bethlehem

Typescenes

• Typescenes and the book of Ruth

Gapping

• An Introduction to Gapping

Use of direct speech

• Direct speech in biblical narratives