Understanding Scripture & the Golden Thread
How should we approach the story of salvation history? And what is salvation history? It is the unity of God’s plan for our salvation, starting with creation in the book of Genesis until Christ comes the second time. So, God’s salvific plan starts in the Old Testament and ends in the New Testament. Because this history covers thousands and thousands of years, it is helpful to learn about it by looking at the story with a broad horizon.
The method of looking at salvation history comprehensively was thought by St. Augustine. His idea of the narratio, or narrative summary, is thought to be the best approach to learn the Catholic faith. The narratio is a storytelling. It serves as a comprehensive summary of the Bible.
In other words, the narratio teaches us the foundations, key events, and turning points through salvation history that have shaped what we believe as Catholics. Once we know the foundations of our faith, then we can start to understand the details we find through scripture. The narratio serves as the framework that help us to understand other biblical stories in view of the main, critical stories.
We can also start to understand the foreshadowing in the Old Testament that are fulfilled with the coming of Christ. This is why the Old Testament must always be read in light of the New Testament. When we know the New Testament, it is easier to understand what is going on in the Old Testament.
Central points and crucial turning points connect the dots through salvation history to tell of the story of redemption through Christ. Through these points of interest contain a deeper meaning about Christ. So, salvation history, and scripture in general, must be approached with a Christocentric mindset.
Other events that take place in scripture can be woven into the fabric that makes up the whole of salvation history. Augustine says, “the simple truth of the explanation which we adduce ought to be like the golden thread which binds together a row of gems in an ornament, and yet does not interfere with the choice symmetry of the ornament by any undue intrusion of itself,” (De Catechizandis Rudibus, 6).
Broad themes and revelations of Christ through scripture is where we can start to fully grasp our faith. The Old Testament can be overwhelming and intimidating. A lot of it is difficult to understand. My favorite book to help understand what’s going on is Walking with God by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins. I would recommend this book; it’s easy to read and helped me a lot in understanding the narratio.
Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:4-5).