Literary Genre (for Assignefd Discussion)

8/19/2019 Literary Genre (for Assignefd Discussion)

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Note:

To know your assigned literary genre, a number has been assigned to you. Each

number has a corresponding genre. Others were assigned to present the epistles

and the Gospels which has no corresponding numbers.

To add more information about your assigned literature, please read other sources.

In addition, know the meaning and description of your genre and its’ use. Make

sure that you’ll be able to explain the biblical verse (example) that you’ll use in

your presentation.

If you’re assigned to present an epistle and a Gospel, research on the following:

1. Who is the author of the epistle or Gospel? When was it written?2. Why was it written? To whom it was addressed?

3. What’s the main message of this epistle or Gospel?(Cite a biblical verse for example)

4. How would you describe this epistle or Gospel?5. What’s the symbolical image of this “Gospel”?

2. Literary forms / Genres of the Bible

The study of the literary forms and genre of the different pericope in the

Bible plays a very significant role in Biblical interpretation. This study allows the

people to recognize that there are many types of literature. The authors always

choose a vehicle through which they send a message to the readers. By there

choice of genre, the authors are able to signal the readers how to take the

message they want to convey.1 It is for this reason that a thorough understanding

of the Biblical genre is of great importance.

The genre pertains to a group of texts that bear one or more traits in

common with each other. The said texts may be similar in content, structure

phraseology, function and or style. Below are some examples of the different

genre of Literature found in the Bible.

2.1 Aetiology: Etiology (alternately aetiology, aitiology) is the study of

causation. It is derived from the Greek meaning 'concerned with causes',

and so can refer to myths as well as to medical and philosophical theories.2

In connection to this, as a literary genre, it is a story which attempts to

explain the origin or the cause of a phenomenon of nature, condition,

custom or institution.3 This type of literature allows reader to realize how God

Richard_Balang@2014_Theology&ReligiousEducationDepartment

1 Raymond B. Dillard and T. Longman III, An Introduction to the Old Testament (England: Apollos, 1995) p.30

2 Wikipedia, Etiology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aetiology

3 William W. Klein and C.I. Blomberg, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Dallas: World Publishing,1993), p. 327


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communicates His message in varied ways so as to address different types of

people in the most particular manner. One must take causation not to take

the attempt of the aetiology as scientifically factual. It should rather be

understood in the light of Faith.

One Old Testament example in this regard is the story of Lot's wife in

Genesis 19 (specifically 26). It explains why there are pillars of salt in the area

of the Dead Sea.

2.2 Allegory: It speaks of similitude which involves levels of meaning. It can

also be understood as an extended metaphor or symbol that aims at

establishing a relationship between two objects in a systematic manner.4 In

this type of literature, like that of a parable, one realizes how God

communicates His will and precepts in a disarming manner. Conversion is

expected of readers after understanding His message through this type of

literature.

One good example of this type comes from Hosea 2 where his marriage

story serves as an allegory of God’s relationship to Israel as a nation.

Matthew 22:1-14 is a good New Testament example of this type since it

communicates levels of meaning (refer to table 1.1). This passage pertains to

an allegory of a wedding feast. In the said passage the meaning of the

allegory lies on the actual level and not the formal one.

Table 1.1

Formal Level (Referent) Actual Level (Meaning)

King

Son

Feast

Servant

Invited Guests

Those accepting the invitation

Wedding garments

Excluded guest

God

Jesus

Banquet

Apostles

The Nation of Israel

Church (converts)

Righteousness

Those found unworthy

2.2.1 Allegory through Parables - Other examples can be seen

through the parables in the New Testament. The parables in the


4 Tate, 73


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gospels range from similitude to true parables to allegories. One sees

this in Matthew 13:33-35. Here the parable of the leaven is a similitude,

because it is an illustration from everyday life, while the parable of the

prodigal son of Luke 15:11-32 is a true parable, because it is a story

that has a beginning and an end. The parable of the vineyard owner

in Mark 12:1-11 is closer to an allegory, because it has a number of

details that have corresponding conceptual meaning.

2.2.2 Allegories compared to Parables - While a parable is an

extended simile, an allegory is an extended metaphor. The allegory of

the vine and the branches in John 15, for example, develops the

metaphors of Christ as the true vine (vs. 1,5), the Father as the

vinedresser (vs. 1), and believers as the branches (vs. 5).

2.2.3 Allegories containing Comparison - Allegorical stories haveseveral points of comparison. In John 10:1-18, the allegory of the good

shepherd draws a point-by-point comparison between a number of

elements (the door of the sheepfold, the shepherd, the sheep, the

thief, and the hireling) and corresponding spiritual truths.

2.2.4 Allegories in a Continuum of elusive and explicit meaning -

Allegories also range on a continuum from the elusive to the explicit.

In some, the details obviously point to a corresponding group of

concepts, as in the allegory of the good shepherd; in others, thethematic implications of the images are less clear.

Jesus told the parable of the soils to the multitudes but explained

the spiritual application of each point of the story to His disciples

(Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20). While parables use realistic imagery,

allegories often use words in a figurative rather than literal sense. The

parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) uses "sheep" literally, but the

allegory of the good shepherd uses "sheep" figuratively; the parable of

the vineyard owner (Luke 20:9-21) uses "vineyard" literally, but the

allegory of the vine and the branches uses "vine" figuratively.

The allegories in the Old Testament include Israel as a vine in Psalm

80:8-15, the woman of folly in Proverbs 7, the allegory of old age in

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, and the allegory of the two sisters in Ezekiel 23.

New Testament allegories include the foundation and superstructure

in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and the spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:11-17.

On rare occasions, the New Testament allegorizes Old Testament

narratives that were not intended to teach truth by correspondence.

Paul does this in Galatians 4:21-31 when he turns the story of Hagar

and Sarah into an allegory of law and grace.



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2.3 Apocalyptic Genre: It is the revelation made by God concerning hidden

things employing all kinds of imagery and symbolism which appeal to the

imagination of the ancients: visions, dreams, numbers, colors, fantastic

beasts, and bizarre figures.

Apocalyptic genre can be characterized into five major divisions. 5

2.3.1 Cosmic - The first classification is cosmic apocalypse. This

type makes characters move with ease between heaven, earth

and hell. It also presents conflicts between angels and deities.

2.3.2 Cosmological - The second example is apocalyptic

cosmology. This type is dualistic in the sense that it relates

stories about the equal existence of good and evil in the

universe.

2.3.3 Eschatological - The third type is an eschatological

apocalypse. Its focus is the end time of history.

2.3.4 Mystical - The fourth type involves ecstatic visions, dreams,

or supernatural journeys.

2.3.5 Symbolic - The last is an apocalypse that is highly symbolic

in nature.

2.4 Detective Story: This type of literary genre is consists of a mystery andsuspense. It relates stories involving characters unraveling a problem, some

accounts of evidences pointing to a culprit. It also illustrates the vindication

of the innocent or the just. The same message of love and salvation are still

conveyed in this literary genre yet it is communicated in a different and

creative manner.6 Through a detective story the message communicated

and is certainly able to draw the attention and convince those of witty

minds.

The story of Susanna in the book of Daniels (13:1-64) serves as a goodexample in this regard. Other examples of this type found in the book of

Daniel include, Dan. 14:1-22 which narrates the story of Daniel and the

priests of Bel and Dan. 14:23-42 which is about Daniel and the dragon.

2.5 Epistle or Letter: It is a formal letter, especially applied to ancient writings

of sacred character or of literary excellence. It alludes to correspondence

of a prophet (for the Old Testament) or apostle (for the New Testament) to


5 Cf. Tate, 148

6 Bragado, 58


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another person or to a community on a doctrinal or pastoral matter.7 Like

that of a prophesy, through the letters one also realizes how God wanted to

guide His people back to Him that He communicates and even sends

instruments to instruct His people into acquiring salvation. Openness and

docility are, of course, expected from the believers in this regard, for without

these (openness and docility) the words of the prophet or apostles will be a

platitude.

Both the Old and the New Testament contain Biblical passages that

take an Epistle for its genre. Jeremiah 29, for example, is a letter sent by the

prophet from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders, priests, prophets, and

people in the Babylonian captivity.

Examples of Epistles:

The Pauline Epistles

• Romans

• 1 Corinthians

• 2 Corinthians

• Galatians

• Ephesians

• Philippians

• Colossians• 1 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians

• 1 Timothy

• 2 Timothy

• Titus

• Philemon

The General Epistles

• Hebrews

• James

• 1 Peter

• 2 Peter

• 1 John

• 2 John

• 3 John


7 Ibid

http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-James.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Hebrews.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philemon.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Titus.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/fl/2-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/JZ-Colossians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philippians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Ephesians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Galatians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/2-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Romans.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-James.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-James.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Hebrews.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Hebrews.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philemon.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philemon.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Titus.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Titus.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/fl/2-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/fl/2-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Thessalonians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/JZ-Colossians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/JZ-Colossians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philippians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Philippians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Ephesians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Ephesians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Galatians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Galatians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/2-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/2-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/1-Corinthians.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Romans.htmhttp://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentbooks/a/Book-Of-Romans.htm


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• Jude

2.6 Fable: It is a fictitious narrative intended to enforce a useful truth or a moral

lesson. It takes the form of a short story embodying a lesson and introducing

animals and inanimate things as actors and persons.8

This type of literatureteaches one that God’s message of salvation and love are offered even to

the simplest minds of children. God wants everyone to understand His word. It

invites people to appreciate how God adjust to their situation.

A Fable should not be mistaken with a Parable since the latter

describes what is likely or probable, or at any rate what is believed by the

hearers as probable, while the former is not limited by such considerations.

Fables, as previously mentioned, are used to impossibilities, such as tress, or

animals and inanimate things behaving like human beings.9

The fable of the trees in Judges 9:8-15 (interpreted and applied in

9:16-20) is one that exemplifies this type in the Old Testament. In this pericope,

one sees how the trees were illustrated as engaged into a dialogue like

human beings. Here Jotham tells how trees sought a king among various trees

and vines but found only a thorn bush who is willing to serve.10

2.7 Gospel: It literally means good news since the Greek word euagngelion

from which it is derived means "good news" or "glad tidings. The Gospels are

writings that are primarily containing accounts of Jesus’ life. It does not

communicate a strict biographical account but rather a collection of Christ’s

teachings and ministry. Each of the Gospels would elucidate the account in

different view points. These books are neither merely mythical nor simply

historical since they have theological intentions that are historical in nature.11

The good news about salvation in Christ was first proclaimed orally and

later written in the unique literary form known as the gospels. They are highly

episodic and do not fit the other literary categories like heroic narrative. The

unifying theme of the gospels is the person and work of Jesus Christ who is

portrayed not merely as an example to be followed, but as the way to eternal

life and the rightful object of humanity’s supreme allegiance. Though they are


8 Cf. Bragado, p. 57

9 E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated (Michigan:BakerBook House,1993), p. 753

10 William W. Klein and C.I. Blomberg, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Dallas: WorldPublishing, 1993), p. 338

11 Wikipedia, Gospel , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel


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full of biographical material, the gospels are really thematic portraits of the

God-man, taken from four different perspectives.12

The Four Gospels: Matthew / Mark / Luke / John

2.8 History: This type of Biblical literature treats God’s revelation of Himself in

the framework of events. It presents the chosen people’s encounter with God

and their response to that encounter. It pertains to reports that are written with

more literary elaboration than an ordinary report. It takes a form of lengthy

document that focuses on a particular subject or historical era. Accordingly,

the said reports develop a rudimentary plot. This plot entails a movement of

scenes from tension to resolution. It also records the dialogue and speeches of

the characters involved. In addition to this, a historical account also includes

dramatic literary touches.13

Through this type of literature, one appreciates how God has continuously

been journeying with His people. This realization should allow one to be more

trusting on Him. It should give the person a confidence in his/her daily

endeavors mindful that God is always with him/her.

A good example of this type is Exodus 14 where the writer reports about

the escape of the Israelites from Egypt and how the Pharaoh chased them in

the desert. 2 Kings 17:1 is also a good example. It states that in the twelfth yearof Ahaz King of Judah, Hoshua son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria,

and he reigned nine years. Other examples include 1 Sam. 11:1-11; 2 Sam

9-20; 1 Kings1-2; 2 Sam. 11:1-12:25; 1 Kings 22:1-38; 1 kings 12:1-20,20:1-43; 2

Kings; Ps. 78, 105, 106; and Judge 9:1-21.

2.9 Hyperbole: Largely synonymous with exaggeration and overstatement, this

type of literary genre is a figure of speech in which statements are

exaggerated or extravagant. It may be used due to strong feelings or is used

to create a strong impression. The message of this type is not meant to betaken literally since it gives greater emphasis to the point it wants to

communicate.14 It is often used in poetry and is a literary device. In hyperbole,

the writer or speaker exaggerates to create a strong effect to its reader.

In the book of Judges one reads a hyperbole that says, "Every one

could sling a stone at a hair's breadth and not miss" (Judg. 20:16). In the book


12 Cf. Eugene A. Laverdiere, S.S.S., Literary Forms of the Bible, New American Bible (Makati City: St Pauls,2004), p. 1458-63

13 Cf, Klein, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, p. 328

14 E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated (Michigan:BakerBook House,1993), p. 424


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of psalms one sees, "I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed

swim; I drench my couch with my tears" (Ps. 6:6). Other Old Testament

hyperbole includes Genesis 22:17, 1 Kings 1:40, Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy

1:28; Psalm 107:26.

The New Testament also contains a good collection of hyperbole. Someof its examples are found in the Gospels such as that of Matthew that states,

"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck out of your

eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:4). Another example is

found in the last chapter of John that states, "And there are also many other

things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that

even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John

21:25).

2.10 Irony: This literary genre refers to a passage with double-layeredmeaning. It also points to a mode of speech of which the meaning is contrary

to the words. It is an expression that denotes the opposite of what is meant by

the words themselves. This is because, in Irony, the speaker intends to convey

a sense contrary to the words he/she uses. This is done not intentionally hide

the meaning but simply for the purpose of adding impact to it.15. Through the

irony, one realizes how God communicates His will and precepts in a

disarming manner. Conversion is expected of readers after learning from it.

One good example of this type is found in 1 Kings 18:27 where theprophet presents the irony of god and the characteristics the prophets

describes of Him. The prophet goes on to say, "And so it was, at noon, that

Elijah mocked them and said, 'Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is

meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and

must be awakened.'"

2.11 Legal codes: This literary type speaks of laws, commandments, rules of

conduct. It points even to rules governing physical hygiene and dietary

regulation.16 This serves as guide to ones day-to-day living. Through this we

realize how God wanted to guide His people back to Him that He

communicates to them even minute details of acquiring salvation. Openness

and docility are, of course, expected from the believers in this regard, for

without this two the laws and the precepts will loose its meaning.

The Décalogue or 10 Commandments found in Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5

is one good example of this type. Other examples include the laws contain in

the following verses : Ex. 21:1-11; Lev. 6:1-7; Ex. 23:10-11.


15 Cf. Ibid, p. 808

16 Cf. Bragado, p.


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2.12 Metaphor: John Gabel defines it as the word that is literal in contexts in

which it is usually found and is taken out of those contexts and used in a

context of some other kind. It illuminates, clarifies or completes abstract idea

by replacing it with something observable, familiar and concrete. So while a

Simile gently states one thing is like or resembles another, the metaphor boldly

and warmly declares that one thing IS the other. Metaphor is not so true to

fact as the Simile, but is much truer to feelings.17 The effect of the metaphor

varies according to how much commonality there is between the abstract

idea and the object.

In the Old Testament, one sees lots of metaphors like what is

contained in Psalm 23. The Psalm goes:

1 The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

3He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

In the first verse of this passage, one observes how God was

metaphorically depicted as a shepherd who tends His people. He is one who

does to His people more than any other earthly shepherd can do to his sheep.

The second verse uses the metaphor of green pastures to allude to peace

while the restoration of soul in verse three metaphorically points to healing. In

addition to this, guidance to right path in the same verse points to God

Himself as the righteousness and the person being righteous in Him. The fourth

verse is a metaphor of God’s presence and the fifth verse represents God’s

defense in the person’s behalf together with the sanctification He brings


17 Cf. E.W. Bullinger, p. 735


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about. The last verse is also a beautiful metaphor about the salvation that

God will bring about.18

Some examples of metaphor in the New Testament include Matthew

Thirteen’s “You are the salt of the earth”; Matthew Twenty Six’s words of Jesus

“This is my Body”; and Matthew Thirty Eight’s “The good seed are the childrenof the Kingdom.”19

2.13 Midrash: As one of the literary genre found in the Bible, this type is an

imaginative reconstruction of a biblical episode. It is the retelling of a Biblical

story with the aim of bringing out its meaning for later generations. Thus, it

has edifying lessons or meditations on an earlier biblical utterance.20 Through

this type of literature one realizes the immensity of God’s love. This should

enable one to develop a reciprocal love on Him.

Jacob Neusner in his book What is Midrash 21 , proposed three types of

midrashic exegesis. He calls them Paraphrase, prophesy and parable.

2.13.1. Paraphrase Midrash- The paraphrase midrash is a simple

process of rereading a particular passage. It aims at amplifying and

clarifying vague passages. This process is done by supplying synonym,

telling an illustrative story, giving a word-for-word explanation, or

introducing another verse. For example, analysis shows that the first

five verses of the Gospel of John is a rereading of the first five verses of

Genesis (see Table 1.1). Another example that we find in the New

Testament is the infancy narrative that we find in both the Gospel of

Matthew and Luke. In this regard, the process of telling an illustrative

story is done.

Table 1.1

Genesis 1:1-5 John 1:1-5


18 Cf. Bullinger, p. 737-738

19 Ibid, p. 738-739

20 Cf. Eugene A. Laverdiere, S.S.S., Literary Forms of the Bible, New American Bible (Makati City: St Pauls,2004), p. 1458-63

21 Jacob Neusner, What Is Midrash? (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987)


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1 In the beginning God created the heavens

and the earth.

2 Now the earth was formless and empty,

darkness was over the surface of the deep,

and the Spirit of God was hovering over the

waters.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and

there was light. 4 God saw that the light was

good, and He separated the light from the

darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and

the darkness he called "night." And there was

evening, and there was morning—the first

day.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the

Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without

him nothing was made that has been made.

4In him was life, and that life was the light o

men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but

the darkness has not understood it.

2.13.2 Prophesy Midrash- The next type of midrash, which Neusner

classifies as prophesy, identifies a contemporary event or situation with

a scriptural passage. The original meaning or historical frame of

reference is not lost in this regard. The reference simply makes sense or

gives meaning to the present or future situation. It is for this reason that

one finds in the bible passages that gives meaning to what is currently

happening in society. It is very much similar to what people do with

Nostradamus’ prophesy every time a big event explodes. Neusner

explains that Midrash as prophesy treats the historical life of ancientIsrael and the contemporary time of the exegete as essentially the

same, reading the former as a prefiguring of the latter.22

Matthew 1:22-23 of the New Testament is good example of this

type. In the said pericope, Matthew engaged in a prophetic Midrash

by quoting Isaiah 7:14. Matthew says, “All this took place to fulfill what

had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Look, the virgin

shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.”

The same evangelist gives us another example by interpreting thewords of Hosea (11:1 is a statement that refers to the Exodus of people

of Israel from Egypt) to apply to an event that happened in the life of

Jesus in Matthew 2:14-15. The evangelist goes on to say, “Then Joseph

got up, took the child and his mother by the night, and went to Egypt,

and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what

had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I

have called my son.’”


22 Neusner, What Is Midrash? p.25


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2.13.3 Parable Midrash- The third type of midrash, a parable, is similar

to if not identical with allegorical interpretation. In this regard, the

more profound or authentic meaning of the statement or event is not

the obvious historical or literal one. Instead, scripture is interpreted in

terms which the author never intended.23 Romans 10:5-13 is a good

example of this type since Paul in the said letter proclaims the

meaning of what Moses has said. Epistles like 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 and

1 Peter 2:4-8 also serve as good examples. Passages fr om Hebrews like

1:5-14; 5:4-6 and 7:11-22 also fall in this type since one observes here

that some passages the originally referred to Yaweh, David and others

are already applied to Jesus.

2.14 Miracle Stories: It is a type of a narrative which expresses the

manifestation of the different wonders that God has shown to be able to

draw people to Him. In the Old Testament, miracles are understood as signsand wonders of God’s presence; in the New Testament, miracle stories are

signs of messianic salvation.24 This type of literature fascinates and leads

people into belief. Here, one realizes how God would try to amaze people so

that they will be drawn to Him. Faith and trust are of course expected of

readers by this type of literature.

Both the Old and the New Testaments express a lot of miracles. On the one

hand the Old Testament expresses the wonderful and magnificent works

performed by Yahweh. This includes the miracle of the manna and the quails.The New Testament on the other hand relates the various miracles that Jesus

has performed. This includes the healing of the blind man, the multiplication

of loaves and fishes, the casting out of evil spirits, etc.

2.15 Myth: This literary genre is a sacred story concerning the origins of the

world or how the world and the creatures in it came to have their present

form. Generally speaking, the active beings in myths are gods and heroes. In

saying that a myth is a sacred narrative, what is meant is that a myth is

believed to be true by people who attach religious or spiritual significance toit. Use of the term by scholars does not imply that the narrative is either true or

false sine its statement rises beyond time and space. It is profoundly a true

statement which speaks to universal aspects of life and reality. 25

Myths are symbolic expressions of religious truth or ultimate realities. Through

this type of literature one realizes how powerful God is that one can only

imagine it and cannot entirely explain it. This should move people to be more


23 Cf. Tate, p.131

24 Bragado, p.

25 Cf. Laverdiere, S.S.S., Literary Forms of the Bible, p. 1458-63


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dependent on God who has the unfathomable power to take care of all

humanity.

The creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 serves as a good example of this

literary type. In the said Bible pericope, one sees how the writer

communicates a story about the origin of all things alluding to a very powerfulcreator. Another good biblical example is the story of the origin of Nephilim26

and the great flood in Genesis 6-9. Reading the account may lead one to

doubt the truth behind the story. But like what is mentioned earlier, one

cannot simply judge Myths as true or false since it is symbolic of religious truths

and ultimate realities. In this regard, one must realize that there are over

80,000 accounts of a worldwide flood among the various cultures on the

Earth. It is then just normal to doubt how so many peoples, tribes and tongues

would have a worldwide flood recorded in their own histories if it had not

happened? It's hard to find a people on this planet that does not have it in itshistory. One of the most famous is the "Epic of Gilgamesh."27 Other examples

include Isaiah 11:6-9 and Isaiah 44:26-28

2.16 Parable- It is a short narrative in the form of an extended metaphor that

makes a moral or religious point by comparison with natural or homely things.

It subverts worldly values and invites conversion by a reorientation to the

values of the Kingdom. It also uses short stories to teach a truth or answer a

question. While the story in a parable is not historical, it is true to life, not a fairy

tale. As a form of oral literature, the parable exploits realistic situations butmakes effective use of the imagination.28

Parables have one central point; the details are not meant to call

attention to themselves but to reinforce this single theme. In most parables,

assigning allegorical meanings to each of the details can lead to confusion

and obscure the point. Through parables one realizes how God

communicates His will and precepts in a disarming manner. Conversion is

expected of readers after learning from the parables.

The Old Testament writers seldom used this type of literature. But among

the few instances two serve as good examples. One is when the prophet

Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-14 told King David how a greedy rich man stole a

poor man’s only lamb to feed a visiting guest. The story which is a juridical

parable that alludes to David’s adultery and act of murder caused him to


26 In the Torah and several non-canonical Jewish and early Christian writings, the word nephilim (Hebrew,!"#$%&', those causing others to fall ) is used for a people created by the crossbreeding of the sons of God (b'nei elohim,!"#$%# "&') and the "daughters of men." This word is loosely translated as giants or titans in some translations of theBible. Some other Biblical texts simply used the said word, nephilim.

27 Cf. Tate, p. 38

28 Cf. Klein, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, p. 338


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face his sin. The next is when the preacher in Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 related how

the wisdom of a poor man had once saved a besieged town but that

afterward none remembered him. Here, the passage tells the reader that

wisdom is better than strength even if people disregard it.29

Jesus in the Gospels used a lot of parables in teaching His disciples at thattime. He frequently composed parables in His teaching ministry (see Mark

4:34) and used them in response to specific situations and challenges. His

parables are drawn from he spheres of domestic and family life as well as

business and political affairs. He used imagery that was familiar to His hearers

to guide them to the unfamiliar. Some of the parables were designed to

reveal mysteries to those on the inside and to conceal the truth to those on

the outside who would not hear (Matt. 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12). This was

especially true of the parables that related to the kingdom of God. However,

other parables like the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) andthe parable of the landowner (Matt. 22:33-46) could be grasped by

unbelievers.

A good joke produces the spontaneous response of laughter. If the joke

must be explained, it loses its impact. In a similar way, a parable must be

"caught" by the hearer. The story parables (e.g., the Good Samaritan, the

prodigal son, the workers in the vineyard, the rich man and Lazarus, the wise

and foolish virgins) are all designed to elicit a response from the hearers. The

moment it is grasped, the point of the parable penetrates like the point of anarrow. Nathan's parable of the rich man who slaughtered the poor man's

lamb sank into David like a shaft when Nathan said, "You are the man!" (2

Sam. 12:1-7). As soon as David caught the parable, he was caught by it.

2.17 Poetry: In its most general stance, poetry is sophisticatedly structured and

compact. Hebrew poetry is no exception in this regard. Poetry is highly stylized

language that usually easy to distinguished from prose stories It is consists of

parallelisms, balance, rhythm, and it makes use of metaphors, similes, and

other exaggerations. Again, through this type of literature we realize how Godcommunicates His message in varied ways so as to address different types of

people in the most particular manner. Examples of this type are found in the

Book of Psalms; poetic passages in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Job

2.18 Prophecy: This genre recounts events in the life of a prophet, particularly

those that demonstrate virtues worthy of emulation and theologically critique

the world in which the story’s readers lived.30 It is composed of oracles or

utterances of the spokesman or mouthpiece of God expressing threat,


29 Cf. Klein, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, p. 338

30 Cf. Ibid


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promise, reproach, or admonition. These serve as warning and guide to the

people. Through them one realizes how God wanted to guide His people

back to Him that He communicates to them and even sends people to

instruct them into acquiring salvation.

This type of Biblical genre has two purposes. First is to edify itsaudience by presenting the prophet as a model of proper conduct. Second it

aims at discrediting the larger politico-religious system for its denial of Yahweh

as its sovereign lord. Openness and docility are expected from the believers in

this regard, for without the said virtues the words of the prophets will be a

platitude. The Old Testament is filled with examples of this genre like Isaiah,

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, etc.

2.19 Wisdom Literature-. This genre is characterized by praise of God, often in

poetic form, and by sayings of wisdom intended to teach about God andabout virtue. Scholars say that this genre of literature is common in the

Ancient Near East.31 It is composed of maxims, proverbs and counsel of the

sages on proper conduct. It also contain reflections on the meaning and

problems of life and of good and evil. In this type, one realizes that God also

addresses the sophisticated minds. He talks to the intellectuals as much as he

does to the simple minded. Appreciation of God’s flexibility in addressing

each and every person is also expected from the readers in terms of the

understating of this type of literature. The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the

Wisdom of Solomon, Job and Sirah are some of its examples.


31 Cf. Wikipedia, Wisdom Literature, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_literature

Documents

Literary Genre (for Assignefd Discussion)