Character Theology

1. Character theology: Engaging God through biblical characters

Character theology is engaging God through "reading" biblical characters in the context of story.

Holistic approach to Scripture. Character theology offers a more natural, universal way to discover, communicate, and live out biblical truths. It focuses on concrete characters in stories rather than abstract philosophy, making it an obvious and preferred way to communicate theology globally.

Relational understanding. This approach emphasizes the relational aspect of theology, as it explores how God interacts with various characters throughout Scripture. By examining these interactions, readers can gain a deeper understanding of God's nature and His expectations for humanity.

• Key aspects of character theology:
  • Focuses on characters' conversations, actions, and contexts
  • Explores conflicts and resolutions within stories
  • Encourages readers to identify with biblical characters
  • Reveals God's character through human experiences

2. The "big forgot" in hermeneutics: Orality's crucial role

Orality is the "big forgot," and the absence of voice is the "fatal flaw" in most hermeneutic models.

Historical context. For centuries, the spoken word was the primary means of communication, even after the development of writing. The Bible itself was primarily composed and transmitted orally before being written down. This oral foundation has significant implications for how we interpret Scripture.

Impact on interpretation. Recognizing the oral nature of Scripture can lead to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the text. It helps readers appreciate the performative aspects of biblical narratives and the importance of communal interpretation.

• Aspects of orality in Scripture:
  • Use of repetition and rhythm
  • Emphasis on memorable phrases and imagery
  • Importance of public reading and performance
  • Integration of sound and meaning

3. Oral hermeneutics: A natural approach to biblical narratives

Oral hermeneutics is an experiential interpretation model designed to grasp a more appealing, impactful, fuller sense of Scripture's narratives through collective dialogue.

Respecting the genre. Oral hermeneutics recognizes that the narrative portions of Scripture, which make up a significant portion of the Bible, require a different approach than other genres. This method respects the story-centric nature of these texts and seeks to interpret them in a way that honors their original context.

Communal interpretation. Unlike traditional textual hermeneutics, which often emphasizes individual study, oral hermeneutics encourages collective dialogue and interpretation. This approach mirrors the way biblical stories were likely shared and understood in their original contexts.

• Key features of oral hermeneutics:
  • Focuses on characters and their interactions
  • Encourages imaginative engagement with the text
  • Emphasizes the role of emotion and experience in interpretation
  • Promotes active listening and communal discussion

4. From textual to character-centric questions

Character-centric questions seek participatory discovery of how biblical characters reveal the Creator through conversations, conflict, conduct, and context.

Shifting focus. Traditional hermeneutics often emphasizes grammar, syntax, and historical context. While these are important, character-centric questions encourage readers to engage more deeply with the characters themselves, their motivations, and their experiences.

Promoting engagement. By asking character-centric questions, readers are invited to participate more fully in the story, imagining themselves in the characters' situations and considering how they might respond. This approach can lead to more personal and transformative encounters with the text.

• Examples of character-centric questions:
  • "How did this character's actions reveal God's nature?"
  • "What conflicts did the character face, and how did they resolve them?"
  • "How does this character's experience relate to our lives today?"
  • "What can we learn about God from the character's interactions with others?"

5. The grand narrative: Connecting individual stories

The grand narrative serves as a movie preview highlighting various scenes and pivotal players as it lays the foundation for what's to come.

Holistic understanding. The grand narrative of Scripture provides a framework for understanding individual stories within their larger context. It helps readers see how seemingly disparate narratives connect to form a cohesive whole.

Interpretive guide. By understanding the grand narrative, readers can better interpret individual stories and characters, seeing how they fit into God's overarching plan of redemption. This perspective can prevent misinterpretation and help readers grasp the full significance of each narrative.

• Key elements of the grand narrative:
  • Creation
  • Fall
  • Redemption
  • Restoration
  • Central role of Jesus Christ

6. Characters as mirrors: Reflecting our lives and God's nature

Bible characters R us.

Personal identification. Biblical characters, with their flaws, struggles, and triumphs, serve as mirrors in which readers can see themselves. This identification allows for deeper engagement with the text and more personal application of its teachings.

Revealing God's character. Through their interactions with God and each other, biblical characters reveal various aspects of God's nature. By studying these characters, readers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of who God is and how He relates to humanity.

• Ways characters serve as mirrors:
  • Reflecting common human experiences and emotions
  • Demonstrating the consequences of various choices
  • Illustrating God's grace, justice, and love in action
  • Providing examples of faith, obedience, and repentance

7. Bridging modern and postmodern eras in biblical interpretation

We have now "passed into an era in which the urgent question is the relative authority of Scripture and experience."

Shifting paradigms. As society moves from modernity to postmodernity, approaches to biblical interpretation must adapt. Character theology offers a bridge between these eras, addressing both the need for authoritative truth and the value of personal experience.

Balancing objectivity and subjectivity. While maintaining the authority of Scripture, character theology acknowledges the role of subjective experience in interpretation. This approach can help address postmodern concerns while still upholding the Bible's central role in shaping faith and practice.

• Contrasts between modern and postmodern approaches:
  • Modern: Emphasis on objectivity, propositional truth
  • Postmodern: Recognition of subjectivity, experiential truth
  • Character theology: Integration of objective truth and subjective experience

8. Beyond systematic theology: Character theology's unique contribution

Character theology is not a replacement of other theologies, nor their rival. Rather, character theology, because it respects the narrative genre's way of communicating, adds not only intellect, but also identification, appeal (beauty), and impact.

Complementary approach. Character theology doesn't seek to replace systematic or other forms of theology but to complement them. It offers a unique perspective that can enrich and deepen our understanding of biblical truth.

Narrative emphasis. By focusing on the narrative portions of Scripture, character theology honors the way much of the Bible is written. This approach can help readers engage more fully with the text and grasp its meaning in a more holistic way.

• Unique contributions of character theology:
  • Emphasizes the relational nature of biblical truth
  • Encourages emotional and imaginative engagement with Scripture
  • Bridges the gap between abstract concepts and concrete experiences
  • Promotes application of biblical truths to daily life

9. The Trinity's choice: Revealing through character interactions

By Trinitarian choice and construct, characters reveal their Creator.

Divine strategy. The Trinity chose to reveal their nature primarily through interactions with biblical characters. This approach emphasizes the relational nature of God and His desire to be known through personal encounters.

Implications for interpretation. Recognizing this divine strategy should shape how we approach Scripture. It encourages us to pay close attention to character interactions and to seek understanding of God's nature through these narrative encounters.

• Ways the Trinity is revealed through characters:
  • Direct interactions (e.g., God speaking to Abraham)
  • Character responses to divine interventions
  • Prophetic proclamations and actions
  • The incarnation of Jesus Christ

10. Unleashing an army of amateur Bible interpreters

Character theology allows for, but does not insist on, multiple truths within a specific story.

Democratizing interpretation. Character theology, with its focus on narrative and relational understanding, opens up biblical interpretation to a wider audience. It empowers "amateur" interpreters to engage meaningfully with Scripture without extensive formal training.

Guided discovery. While encouraging personal engagement with the text, character theology also provides guidelines to ensure interpretations remain faithful to the overall message of Scripture. This balance allows for rich, diverse interpretations while maintaining biblical integrity.

• Benefits of empowering amateur interpreters:
  • Increased engagement with Scripture at all levels of the church
  • Fresh insights from diverse perspectives
  • Growth in personal faith and biblical literacy
  • Development of a more robust, communal understanding of God's Word

Last updated: August 10, 2024