SCRIPTURE INTERPRETATION - PART 8
The rule of GENRE JUDGMENT
A "literal" approach to Scripture recognizes that the Bible contains a variety of literary genres, each of which has certain peculiar characteristics that must be recognized in order to interpret the text properly.
The Old testament: The first 5 books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch, which is Hebrew for the number 5 (Genesis - Deuteronomy).
The next 5 books are historical books (Joshua - 2 Samuel).
The next 12 books are poetic (1 Kings - Solomon).
The next 5 books are major prophets (Isaiah - Daniel).
The next 12 books are minor prophets (Hosea - Malachi).
The New Testament: The first 4 books are the gospels (Matthew - John).
The next one is Historic (Acts).
The next 14 books are the epistles (Romans - Hebrews), which are letters addressing specific problems.
The next 7 books are general epistles (James - Jude).
And the last book is prophetic (Revelation).
Obviously, an incorrect genre judgment will lead one far astray in interpreting Scripture.
A parable should not be treated as history, nor should poetry or prophesy (both of which contain many symbols) be treated as straightforward narrative. The wise interpreter allows his knowledge of genres to control how he approaches each individual biblical text. In this way, he can accurately determine what the biblical author was intending to communicate to the reader.
Now, even though the Bible contains a variety of literary genres and many figures of speech, the biblical authors most often employed literal statements to convey their ideas. Where they use a literal means to express their ideas, the Bible expositor must employ a corresponding means to explain these ideas - namely, a literal approach.
A literal method of interpreting Scripture gives to each word in the text the same basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage - whether employed in writing, speaking, or thinking. Without such a method, communication between God and man is impossible.
The rule of GENRE JUDGMENT
A "literal" approach to Scripture recognizes that the Bible contains a variety of literary genres, each of which has certain peculiar characteristics that must be recognized in order to interpret the text properly.
The Old testament: The first 5 books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch, which is Hebrew for the number 5 (Genesis - Deuteronomy).
The next 5 books are historical books (Joshua - 2 Samuel).
The next 12 books are poetic (1 Kings - Solomon).
The next 5 books are major prophets (Isaiah - Daniel).
The next 12 books are minor prophets (Hosea - Malachi).
The New Testament: The first 4 books are the gospels (Matthew - John).
The next one is Historic (Acts).
The next 14 books are the epistles (Romans - Hebrews), which are letters addressing specific problems.
The next 7 books are general epistles (James - Jude).
And the last book is prophetic (Revelation).
Obviously, an incorrect genre judgment will lead one far astray in interpreting Scripture.
A parable should not be treated as history, nor should poetry or prophesy (both of which contain many symbols) be treated as straightforward narrative. The wise interpreter allows his knowledge of genres to control how he approaches each individual biblical text. In this way, he can accurately determine what the biblical author was intending to communicate to the reader.
Now, even though the Bible contains a variety of literary genres and many figures of speech, the biblical authors most often employed literal statements to convey their ideas. Where they use a literal means to express their ideas, the Bible expositor must employ a corresponding means to explain these ideas - namely, a literal approach.
A literal method of interpreting Scripture gives to each word in the text the same basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage - whether employed in writing, speaking, or thinking. Without such a method, communication between God and man is impossible.
0 Comments
We appreciate your contribution