How to Read Biblical Narratives Faithfully: Not Moralism, But Christ

How should Christians read the stories of the Bible? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how to read biblical narratives faithfully—avoiding moralism and learning to see God's redemptive purposes unfolding throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Acts, the Bible records real events involving real people in real history. But these narratives are not primarily given as examples to imitate. Instead, they reveal what God has done and how His purposes culminate in Jesus Christ. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why biblical narratives describe more than they prescribe • How to focus on God's activity in the text • How every story fits into the larger story of redemption • Why narratives are meant to deepen trust in God, not self-reliance Rather than turning Bible stories into moral lessons, this episode calls Christians to read Scripture in a Christ-centered way—strengthening faith, cultivating discernment, and anchoring their lives in God's faithfulness. 👉 Big Idea: Biblical narratives are not primarily about what we should do, but about what God has done and how His redemptive purposes unfold in history. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/