In order to communicate theological and biblical truth in the context of the Old Testament, the host must study the story’s background. This should be done through a chronological chart, maps, background context commentaries, culture commentaries, and theological commentaries.
Chronological Chart
A chronological chart is very straightforward. The host must understand what is happening at the same time in order to overlap the historical events. Players can explore different theological themes through the different events happening at the same time. Additionally, understanding as much as possible in the biblical timeline will help to guess the general feeling of Israel at the time (for example, if prophets are all throughout Israel at this time then players should expect a high level of unrepentant for sin from the general population). For more detail on a Bible chronology, see Appendix A: Chronology.
Maps
A map is an indispensable tool for retelling and exploring the biblical story. The recommended method is to hand-draw a large map with tribal/national borders and landmarks (large mountains, the Jordan, the ocean, the Dead Sea, etc.). Detail should center around the geographical location of the story. If the story is in East Manasseh, the map should have a handful of notable cities, landmarks, elevation changes, rivers, and terrain. These details will help tremendously with narrating the surroundings of the players as they travel through Israel. For an example of a map, see Appendix B: Maps.
Theological Context
A solid biblical commentary is helpful for understanding what theological themes should come to the surface through the historical event. For example, one theme present in 2 Chronicles 26 (the Lord inflicts the good king Uzziah with leprosy) is that even those remembered as righteous can greatly fall to pride. A theological commentary can aid in quickly understanding what is present in the specific story. Additionally, a Bible handbook can quickly aid the host in understanding the whole theological context of the book of the Bible or narrative movement around the specific story. Using a theological commentary and Bible handbook to look at all relevant sections will greatly reduce the time needed to set up for the host.
Example
The focus passages will be briefly explored with theological context. The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes, “Uzziah’s great power led to pride, which proved to be his downfall.” Clearly, pride is part of this theological theme. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books makes a point to describe how Chronicles is a retelling of Judah’s kingdom with specific focus on proper spiritual worship. Proper worship is on the mind of God and the author when looking at the sin of Uzziah. Isaiah, likewise, is focused on how the people need to be reconciled to God through a certain redemptive work. Amos calls the people to moral righteousness (as opposed to inward spiritual revival only), and Hosea offers a clear picture of how God views the sins of Israel at this time (as an adulterous prostitute of a wife). These themes help to set the theological context and message of the story of (divided) Israel at this time.
Background Context Commentary
A background context commentary is helpful for understanding extrabiblical surrounding context. A background context commentary such as The IVP Background Commentary: Old Testament is especially useful when trying to read the biblical text from the perspective of its original audience. A background commentary may also help reveal extrabiblical details from history helpful to retelling the story.
Example
Looking at the focus passages, The IVP Background Commentary: Old Testament notes that Uzziah reigned in a time when Assyria was especially weak, allowing for the expansion of both Judah and Israel. Additionally, the “machines” Uzziah built could have been a certain kind of upper-wall city defense. Additionally, this same source notes the significance of the earthquake which occurred during Uzziah’s reign. According to this source, Amos likely took place over a very short amount of time, rather than decades. There is also an interesting note regarding Hosea, which describes how local villagers would likely mix Yahweh and Baal worship in order to have the best chance of crop fertility, even though prophetic voices aimed to pull them away from Baal and push them toward God.
Culture Commentary
A culture commentary specifically covers details of Israelite culture not necessarily related to a particular biblical story, but rather to a large time period. These will go into detail about what it was like to live in Israel during that time. This is especially helpful to fill in many of the day-to-day details for quests. This includes interacting with realistic, non-player characters and making realistic encounters for the participants. For example, it would be unrealistic for the participants to meet a character during the quest who has a cell phone. In fact, that character might not even be able to read or write! Additionally, a realistic encounter for the participants could be a thief on a mountain pass. An unrealistic encounter for the participants would be a watermelon patch (however, figs may be a sweet alternative!). Culture commentaries are indispensable for creatively retelling biblical stories accurately.
Additional Research and Creativity
Retelling a biblical story requires adding many details not present in the biblical text. Where these details have theological significance, it is important to be aware of the themes communicated through the books, as previously discussed. Where details do not have theological significance, the host can be creative with their storytelling!
Example
For example, when exploring a biblical story the participants might encounter a dozen different characters not present in the original story. The female characters might be stay-at-home mothers or workers (potentially theologically significant). If the story is in Judges, the characters might mix the worship of God with the worship of Baal and see nothing wrong with it (theologically significant). Additionally, the characters may have a variety of black, brown, and dirty blonde hair (not theologically significant). The Bible Role-Playing Game will require the host to add many details not present in the original biblical story.
