Literary Genre in Literary Genre in the Biblethe BibleText and Traditions Unit 1Text and Traditions Unit 1

Catholic Regional College, Melton.Catholic Regional College, Melton.

A. IntroductionA. Introduction

A. IntroductionA. Introduction

We deal with genres every day. For We deal with genres every day. For example, when we read the newspaper, example, when we read the newspaper, we read the front page section and we read the front page section and understand it to be serious news. understand it to be serious news.

We wouldn't read the comics the same We wouldn't read the comics the same way; we naturally understand it to be way; we naturally understand it to be fiction. fiction.

A. IntroductionA. Introduction

And while we might read the sports And while we might read the sports section as non-fiction, we don't assign it section as non-fiction, we don't assign it the same degree of seriousness as the the same degree of seriousness as the main news in the front page section. main news in the front page section.

Each genre has its own principles of Each genre has its own principles of interpretation, which are more or less interpretation, which are more or less self-evident after you recognize which self-evident after you recognize which genre (and subgenres) a given passage genre (and subgenres) a given passage belongs to. belongs to.

A. IntroductionA. Introduction

Thus, we handle poetry much differently Thus, we handle poetry much differently than prose, and genres like poetry and than prose, and genres like poetry and apocalypse are interpreted much less apocalypse are interpreted much less literally than genres like narrative or law. literally than genres like narrative or law.

What follows are the categories of genre What follows are the categories of genre we will use to decide on how to interpret we will use to decide on how to interpret the texts.the texts.

B. Prose genresB. Prose genres

1. Narrative1. Narrative

The historical books of the Bible are not The historical books of the Bible are not just history, but just history, but salvation historysalvation history. They . They focus on God's work in the lives of focus on God's work in the lives of people, and theological commentary on people, and theological commentary on events. events.

Thus, these are not strictly historical Thus, these are not strictly historical books, but history with a theological books, but history with a theological purpose. E.g., Genesis and other O.T. purpose. E.g., Genesis and other O.T. historical books, Acts. historical books, Acts.

1. Narrative1. Narrative

. They are called narrative, because they . They are called narrative, because they are generally told in story form, rather are generally told in story form, rather than as dry historical texts. than as dry historical texts.

Since their focus, objectives, and Since their focus, objectives, and arrangement are determined by what arrangement are determined by what spiritual points the author is making, spiritual points the author is making, Biblical narratives are considered to be Biblical narratives are considered to be theological narratives. theological narratives.

2. Law2. Law

The law in Leviticus and Deuteronomy The law in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were covenant law, that is, the laws were covenant law, that is, the laws governing how people relate to God and governing how people relate to God and each other under the covenant that God each other under the covenant that God has imposed upon them. has imposed upon them.

3. Gospel3. Gospel

This is a special type of historical genre that This is a special type of historical genre that could best be defined as literary, theological, could best be defined as literary, theological, heroic, biographical narrative. heroic, biographical narrative.

They focus on the life of Jesus with a particular They focus on the life of Jesus with a particular theological purpose in mind. theological purpose in mind.

They differ from typical biography in that they They differ from typical biography in that they give details about people's thoughts, emotions, give details about people's thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. and attitudes.

3. Gospel3. Gospel

They differ from typical historical writings They differ from typical historical writings in that they are heavy in the theology that in that they are heavy in the theology that they contain, and the theology that they contain, and the theology that determines the details and structure of determines the details and structure of the books. the books.

4. Epistle4. Epistle

An epistle is simply a formal letter, but New An epistle is simply a formal letter, but New Testament epistles were written by church Testament epistles were written by church authorities and contain theological exposition. authorities and contain theological exposition.

The epistles of Paul (Pauline epistles) may The epistles of Paul (Pauline epistles) may divided into the general (or catholic) epistles, divided into the general (or catholic) epistles, because they are written to general groups because they are written to general groups (e.g., to the Romans), and the pastoral epistles (e.g., to the Romans), and the pastoral epistles which were written to particular people (e.g., 1 which were written to particular people (e.g., 1 Timothy). Timothy).

4. Epistle4. Epistle

The writer of Hebrews is anonymous, but The writer of Hebrews is anonymous, but scholars believe it may have been written by scholars believe it may have been written by Apollos, Luke, Paul, or one of other possible Apollos, Luke, Paul, or one of other possible writers. writers.

Next are the epistles of James (half-brother of Next are the epistles of James (half-brother of Jesus), Peter, John, and Jude (half-brother of Jesus), Peter, John, and Jude (half-brother of Jesus). Some like Romans read like full Jesus). Some like Romans read like full epistles, while others like 3 John and Philemon epistles, while others like 3 John and Philemon are more informal letters.are more informal letters.

5. Genealogy5. Genealogy

This prose form actually carries This prose form actually carries theological significance. theological significance.

The arrangement, people listed, and The arrangement, people listed, and space devoted to particular persons or space devoted to particular persons or groups can imply something about the groups can imply something about the whole book. Jesus' genealogy in Matthew whole book. Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1 establishes Jesus' royal and messianic 1 establishes Jesus' royal and messianic line thru Joseph. Luke 3 establishes his line thru Joseph. Luke 3 establishes his tribal line thru Mary. tribal line thru Mary.

5. Genealogy5. Genealogy

And 1 Chronicles 1-9 in its arrangement And 1 Chronicles 1-9 in its arrangement and material devoted to different groups and material devoted to different groups mirrors the rest of the book.mirrors the rest of the book.

C. Mixed and non-C. Mixed and non-prose / poetic genresprose / poetic genres

1. Poetry1. Poetry

Old Testament Hebrew poetry was not Old Testament Hebrew poetry was not based on rhyme, or alliteration, as in based on rhyme, or alliteration, as in Western poetry. Western poetry.

Rather, it was often based on parallelism, Rather, it was often based on parallelism, that is, rephrasing the same idea in that is, rephrasing the same idea in different words for emphasis, or different words for emphasis, or juxtaposing differing ideas for contrast. juxtaposing differing ideas for contrast.

1. Poetry1. Poetry

Rhyme and sound devices were used in Rhyme and sound devices were used in Hebrew poetry, which get lost in Hebrew poetry, which get lost in translation; consult technical translation; consult technical commentaries for such information. commentaries for such information.

But parallelism is the most important But parallelism is the most important aspect, and is preserved in translation.aspect, and is preserved in translation.

1. Poetry1. Poetry

Parallelism e.g.Parallelism e.g.I will bless the Lord at all times; I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall always be in my mouth his praise shall always be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1-2).(Psalm 34:1-2).

OrOr The eyes of the Lord keep watch over The eyes of the Lord keep watch over

knowledge;knowledge;but he overthrows the words of the faithless but he overthrows the words of the faithless (Proverbs 22:12)(Proverbs 22:12)

1. Poetry1. Poetry

Whenever you see indented text in English Whenever you see indented text in English Bibles, this indicates that the original language Bibles, this indicates that the original language was in poetic form. was in poetic form.

While the Psalms in particular make use of While the Psalms in particular make use of parallelism, other passages in Scripture that parallelism, other passages in Scripture that make little or no use of parallelism are put in make little or no use of parallelism are put in poetic form. poetic form.

Many prophetic writings and wisdom literature Many prophetic writings and wisdom literature were written in poetic style. were written in poetic style.

2. Wisdom2. Wisdom

Often in poetic form, this is the genre of Job, Often in poetic form, this is the genre of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Songs. These are Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Songs. These are didactic and moral, discussing issues of life didactic and moral, discussing issues of life and morality, and often giving godly advice to and morality, and often giving godly advice to the listener. the listener.

Job discusses the problem of suffering, Job discusses the problem of suffering, Ecclesiastes discusses the meaning of life, Ecclesiastes discusses the meaning of life, Songs addresses wisdom about love and Songs addresses wisdom about love and marital relationships, and Proverbs provides marital relationships, and Proverbs provides general advice about all aspects of life. general advice about all aspects of life.

3. Proverb3. Proverb

This is a general moral truth, given for This is a general moral truth, given for the purpose of godly wisdom. the purpose of godly wisdom.

4. Psalm4. Psalm

These were originally written as worship songs. These were originally written as worship songs. The book of Psalms consists of songs originally The book of Psalms consists of songs originally written for worship in the Jewish temple written for worship in the Jewish temple worship services. worship services.

The Psalms were written over a period of The Psalms were written over a period of hundreds of years by various people, such as hundreds of years by various people, such as David, Solomon (Ps. 72), Asaph (Ps. 50, 73-David, Solomon (Ps. 72), Asaph (Ps. 50, 73-83), the sons of Korah (Ps. 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 83), the sons of Korah (Ps. 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87...) Moses (Ps. 90), Heman the Ezrahite (Ps. 87...) Moses (Ps. 90), Heman the Ezrahite (Ps. 88), Ethan the Ezrahite (Ps. 89), and many 88), Ethan the Ezrahite (Ps. 89), and many anonymous writers.anonymous writers.

4. Psalm4. Psalm

Other Biblical characters such as Moses, Other Biblical characters such as Moses, Habakkuk, Mary, and Zechariah (father Habakkuk, Mary, and Zechariah (father of John the Baptist) also sang songs that of John the Baptist) also sang songs that are recorded elsewhere in Scripture (in are recorded elsewhere in Scripture (in Exodus, Habakkuk, and Luke, Exodus, Habakkuk, and Luke, respectively). respectively).

The New Testament also alludes to early The New Testament also alludes to early Christian psalm usage. Christian psalm usage.

5. Prophecy5. Prophecy

This is the most misunderstood part of This is the most misunderstood part of Scripture. Prophecy literally means Scripture. Prophecy literally means "speaking forth", that is, declaring God's "speaking forth", that is, declaring God's word. word.

It is not necessarily predicting the future. It is not necessarily predicting the future.

5. Prophecy5. Prophecy

Consider the Old Testament prophets and their Consider the Old Testament prophets and their writings, the prophetic books (Isaiah, Daniel, writings, the prophetic books (Isaiah, Daniel, Micah...). Micah...).

Predicting the future constitutes only a small Predicting the future constitutes only a small part of what they preached and wrote. part of what they preached and wrote.

Much of their prophetic declaration consists of Much of their prophetic declaration consists of proclaiming God's judgment, encouragement, proclaiming God's judgment, encouragement, love, call to repentance, etc., whatever the love, call to repentance, etc., whatever the listeners needed to hear from God. listeners needed to hear from God.

5. Prophecy5. Prophecy

And when they did prophesy about the And when they did prophesy about the future, it was not to arouse or satisfy future, it was not to arouse or satisfy people's curiosity, but was given with the people's curiosity, but was given with the purpose of calling them to repentance or purpose of calling them to repentance or giving encouragement. giving encouragement.

6. Apocalypse6. Apocalypse

This is a special type of prophecy in This is a special type of prophecy in semi-prose form full of symbolism and semi-prose form full of symbolism and figurative language. figurative language.

It depicts the struggle between God and It depicts the struggle between God and evil, and also gives long-ranging future evil, and also gives long-ranging future predictions. predictions.

Revelation and parts of Daniel contain Revelation and parts of Daniel contain apocalyptic passages. apocalyptic passages.

6. Apocalypse6. Apocalypse

They teach about God's ultimate victory, They teach about God's ultimate victory, teach about spiritual warfare, and provide teach about spiritual warfare, and provide hope to Christians; they describe as well hope to Christians; they describe as well the long-range future of Christ's coming the long-range future of Christ's coming and eternal reign. and eternal reign.

Fin.Fin.