Biblical Narrative Learning

Biblical narrative learning is a non-critical educational approach for Christian communities with diverse learning backgrounds, involving three sets of movement: inquire and invent, interpret and imagine-inspire, and imitate and impart. It is grounded in humankind's universal capacity to teach and learn through stories and built on practices in narrative learning, along with biblical narratives.

The Gospel of John provides a model for this interpretive process that continues the teaching of living in a loving relationship with God and one another. John uses many literary devices to enhance an affective and reflective learning. The literary devices create the familiar-strange effect. John's narrative fosters remembrance of the Story and guides the learner to adequate faith in God. It inculcates adequate faith to wait in suspense, while the Jesus Story and our stories, when they are remembered, create new understanding and transform the life experiences of the person.

""Imitating the Gospel of John in its narrative world, creative pedagogy, and faithful interpretation, Ha explores a biblical model for Bible readers to receive, imagine, and embody the Story--the Word that makes strange their familiar and descends on them receptive faith, sustaining grace, and renewing Spirit.""

--K. K. Yeo, Harry R. Kendall Professor of New Testament, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

""I highly recommend this book. Excellent biblical scholarship leads to powerful educational practice! Ha reveals the power of biblical narrative teaching. Drawing skillfully and profoundly on teaching practices in the Gospel of John, Ha shows us how to continue to live the story of Jesus. As he hopes, this rich and important book enlivens 'lethargic faith formation' with passion and faithfulness.""

--Jack Seymour, Professor of Religious Education; editor, Religious Education

""Narrative learning based on John's Gospel is a fresh pedagogy that seeks to bridge the ancient text and contemporary reader. The book bequeaths edification as well as illumination, for which we can be grateful to its author.""

--Dr. Dennis Ngien, Professor of Systematic Theology, Tyndale University College and Seminary; Former Research Scholar, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University

Tung Chiew Ha is a senior lecturer in New Testament and Christian Education in a Malaysian seminary. He completed his PhD at the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.