We have finished the examination of techniques used to evaluate Worldview Context (historical, cultural, and religious) within Scripture. “Literary Context” is the second of three different examinations utilized in Bible Interpretation. The third, Linguistic Context, will be covered a couple of modules later in this course. All three contexts are ways to analyze the mind of the biblical writer when he actually wrote the material that was stirred through the movement of the Holy Spirit and later accepted as the inerrant, authoritative Word of God revealed when the Canon was established.
Dr. Heiser’s definition of genre is “a type or a kind of literature –basically, a type or a kind of document, a piece of writing [1].” Eerdmans’ defines genre as “a classification of literary composition characterized by particular elements of form and content” that plays an important role in identifying Scripture meanings through an examination of the applicable genre it belongs [2]. Scholar Grant R. Osborne extends the identification of the genre of literature to the discovery of the “rules of the language game” in order to understand it with hermeneutical principles [3]. But, care must be taken to identify the genre applicable at the time of writing, since types of literature are not static and change over time, according to New Testament scholar Dr. Hurtado [4]. The identification process must include “formal features (e.g., structure, style, motifs, [and] devices), author’s intention, compositional process, setting of author, setting of intended use and contents. But even then, the genre may be difficult to determine, unless an informed judgment is made that is based on the literary and social context of the author’s time [5]. This determination must examine similarities of genre in form, style, and subject matter with other documents written in that time period if proper classification is made.
Simply speaking, genre is seen through the differences of a legal document, poetry, and a blog. Each has a specific purpose, and uses specific language and idea development that is peculiar to that modern-day kind. Modern-day determination of the meaning of a precise, formal legal document using words with succinct meaning would not evoke a whimsical reading. Neither would a person grab a legal document on a rainy day, jump up on the window seat with the kitty purring gently, and allow the mind to wander to far-away places stirred by the harsh legal language necessary for genre ruled by law. Genre is context, and if it cannot be determined what context words are written, then the accurate meaning of the words would be difficult, if not impossible, to interpret. Genre is a critical component to interpretation; the meaning is within the message purpose, which means, “form is meaning” [6].
Thus, “literal” interpretation of the Bible is hindered by “genre” considerations. If interpretation of Scripture is based on literal words alone, then the Book of Leviticus with all its laws handed down to Israel would be absolute and binding, as would the Psalms, as would the Gospels. Rather considering the genre of each book, literal interpretation of Scripture requires ignoring the type of writing and merely looking at the words. Next time you are in for a long night and need a good read to enjoy, try grabbing a rulebook on driving. Then, when you are stirred by the rules, highlight the passages that possibly can be spoken at your wedding one day for extra emphasis on your emotions of love that you share with your partner.
It’s apparent that different writings are done for different reasons. Scripture is no different in this regard. The Canon of the Protestant Bible contains 66 Books of different and like-kind genres; discovery of these differences orientates the reader and guides the interpretation along the right path.
A critical orientation of genre requires stock elements to be present before it can be classified. Dr. Heiser mentions the birth certificate without the parent’s names; this cannot be a legal document officially proclaiming birth if it is missing the critical element of the identity of the parents [7]. Worldviews and genres are both important evaluations of Scripture before hermeneutical interpretation can proceed.
Scripture classifications of genre are divided into ten predominate classifications. The Old Testament has narrative, law, wisdom, psalms, and prophecy genres. The New Testament has Gospel, Parable, Acts, letter, and apocalypse [8]. Each of the genres must be understood in order to interpret God's Word as close to His Truth, expressed through individual writers in different genres, as humanly possible
Bibliography
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012.
Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. Genre Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, Edited by Allen C. Meyers and Astrid B. Beck David Noel Freedman. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 2000.
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
Hurtado, L. W. Gospel (Genre) Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Edited by Joel B. Green and Scot McKnight. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Rev. and expanded, 2nd ed. ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Ryken, Leland. The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2002.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
[2]F. W. Dobbs-Allsopp, Genre, ed. Allen C. Meyers and Astrid B. Beck David Noel Freedman, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 2000), 493-494.
[3]Grant R. Osborne, The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Rev. and expanded, 2nd ed. ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 26.
[4]L. W. Hurtado, Gospel (Genre), ed. Joel B. Green and Scot McKnight, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992), 277.
[5]Ibid.
[6]Leland Ryken, The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2002), 31.
[7]Heiser.
[8]John D. et al. Barry, Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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