Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

The term “genre” (pronounced JOHN-ruh) refers to that particular kind of literary form which communicates truth and must be interpreted according to the rules of that form. Genre study begins certain assumptions about the Bible as literature, ordered and governed by rules and principles like other works of literature, rules that God employed to communicate his Word to us. There are many significant forms and types of literature in the Scriptures. These include the use of narrative (both historical and imaginative), the occurrence of the Law (legal writings), epistles (letters), prophecy (including apocalyptic literature), the wisdom literature of Scripture (including proverbs, monologues, riddles, fables, parables, allegories, etc.), and the presence of poetic works. Genres address particular needs of respective audiences, deepens our view of our fundamental human experience, images forth reality, reveals the artistry of the biblical authors, and reveals the richness of the mystery of God and his work in the world. Special hermeneutics refers to those specific rules and procedures that enable us to interpret the literary forms of the Bible. Narrative, Scripture’s most common genre, deals with subject matter that is either historical or imaginative. Story theologians highlight story as God’s primary way of revealing his person and work in Scripture, and contend that all theology is reflection on the stories of the Bible, which historically are reliable and accurate, and show the artistry and skill of the authors, and meaning of the Lord in his own commentary on them. Narrative theology affirms that stories introduce us to sacramental presences, are more important than facts, and are normative for the Christian community. Christian traditions evolve and define themselves by stories, which also precede and produce community, produce censure and accountability, and theology, ritual, and sacrament in the Church. Like other literature, the general elements of narrative in Scripture include the setting, characters, author’s point of view, plot, and theme of the stories. Prophecy the next major genre of Scripture, is a literary type dealing with God and his relationship to his people, the nations, and creation. Apocalyptic is a sub-genre of prophecy, and includes the two main types of Jewish apocalypses, the OT book tendencies, many believers grow up spiritually without a healthy exposure and meditation upon the prophetic Scriptures. What kinds of changes in attitude, style, and schedule must we make in order to truly embrace and rightly divide the prophetic Scriptures in our churches? Why might a new and fresh interpretation of the word of prophecy prove an important and powerful discovery within the spiritual walks of urban churches?

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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