Today Paul Fiddes gave us an introduction to the Old Testament in about 45 minutes! I won't do it justice but can perhaps just give a flavour.
Stories people live by in contemporary culture might include Magna Carta - perhaps Princess Diana? Paul Fiddes identified three stories in the Old Testament:
1. The story of the Exodus: divine redemption
2. The story of the City: divine presence
3. The story of creation: divine wisdom
The story goes sour in both the Southern and Northern kingdoms and the people of God is forced to relive captivity through exile in Assyria and Babylon - and then a second exodus.
The stories reach their zenith in Christ.
A few other points which struck me:
Fiddes said that the Northern kingdom was more interested in the story of the Exodus, while the Southern kingdom was more interested in the story of the city.
The God of the Exodus is a mobile god!
In Isaiah, the vision goes deeper and wider than Israel's own benefit. The people is challenged to be a Suffering Servant - to serve the nations.
It was a rich and nuanced lecture.
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