Song of Songs: Metaphorical Thinking in Watchman Nee's Narrative Theological Reflection

Abstract

This paper will explore the Biblical book of Song of Songs and interpret Watchman Nee’s explanation of this Biblical text in the context of narrative theological reflection. While it is devotional in character, his use of metaphorical thinking can be transposed from theological interpretation to theological reflection, from textual narrative to gospel story, from gospel story to implicit personal experience. It is a significant work by Nee that uses six different narrative strands (corresponding to the book’s six chapters) to encourage the believer to engage with their own personal experience through re-telling, symbolism and metaphor in a way that makes the process of individual Christian growth meaningful. The process is taken through six narrative stages titled: ‘The Initial Pursuit and Satisfaction; The Call for Deliverance from the Self; The Call for Ascension; The Call of the Cross after Resurrection; The Work of God; and The Groaning of the Flesh.’