BIB101 (CBC) / BIE500 (ACTS) 1
Many modern western readers tend to read a book from the first page to the last and assume that everything in between is chronological. As is the case with many ancient texts, the Bible as a whole is not arranged with a strict linear chronology structure, but rather with a topical / literary structure. Our English Bibles Section Book(s) Torah/Pentateuch Old Testament History Poetry Prophets Gospels New Testament History Letters Genesis Deuteronomy Joshua Esther Job Song of Songs Isaiah Malachi Matthew - John Acts Romans Revelation 2
At least 25% of the Old Testament is considered poetry (in one form or another), including the Books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, much of the Prophets and many other sections throughout the text. Modern Poetry Although both modern English poetry and ancient Hebrew poetry share tremendous artistic expression, the structure of each type is quite often very different. Psalms are to and about God, not from God The Psalms portray the whole range of human emotion, they are powerful human expressions of doctrinal belief. Psalms are poetry Both memorable and powerful (eg. Psalm 19:1-2) The language is often metaphorical (Psalm 59:7) 3
Psalms are literature Precise literary patterns are sometimes evident: Psalm 1 Progressive words Psalm 119 Acrostic The dominant characteristic is correspondence: Psalm 150 There are many types of Psalms Lament, thanksgiving, wisdom, etc BIB101 (CBC) / BIE500 (ACTS) 4
Wisdom is generally found in Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Wisdom in the ANE is understood as applying truth to one's life in the light of experience and observation. Wisdom is not theoretical and abstract, but rather personal and practical. 5
Wisdom literature needs to be read and understood as a whole not as a random collection of unrelated sayings. Ecclesiastes Job Proverbs cynical wisdom wisdom in dialogue practical wisdom Wisdom sayings are brief expressions of truth and as such, they try to balance theology and memorability. 6
Proverbial sayings are intended to portray what will likely happen when wisdom in followed, not what is guaranteed to happen. 7
Introduction The most common literary style in the Bible is narrative including the Torah, Old Testament history and New Testament history. There are narrative passages that cover every historical era in the life of God's people. The term "narrative" does not necessary refer to either fictional or non-fictional, but rather to a section of writing that contains plot, character development, narrator s viewpoint, etc. 8
What narratives are: 1. Narratives are appealing Interesting to all ages Depict real life and are easy to relate to Can portray the complexities of life Easy to remember What narratives are: 2. Narratives are artistic They display multiple plots and character development. Identifying the changes in the characters is often a key to understanding the narrative. 9
What narratives are: 2. Narratives are artistic, continued They have a unique literary style Repetition, unique names, chiasm, etc. 10
- no human to till the soil, man created from soil (2:4b-7) - human outside Eden (8) - the Tree of Life (9) - knowing good and evil (9) - river providing life (10-14) - human to work the soil (15) - words to "do not eat" (16-17) - human will not be alone (18) - human/animal relations (19-20) - woman/side of man (21-24) - nude, not ashamed (25) - snake * talking in Garden (3:1-4) - "eyes will be opened" (5) - good for eating (6) - pleasing to the eye, desirable for gaining wisdom (6) - food was eaten (6) - "eyes were opened" (7) - God talking in the Garden (8-9) - nude and ashamed (10-11) - woman beside the man (12) - human/animal relations (13-15) - human will not be alone - childbirth (16) - "do not eat from it" (17a) - human to work the soil (17b-19) - woman providing life (20) - knowing good and evil (21-22a) - the Tree of Life (22b) - human outside Eden (23a) - human to till the soil from which he was taken (23b) What narratives are: 2. Narratives are artistic, continued They have a unique literary style Repetition, unique names, chiasm, etc. Understanding the narrator's viewpoint, along with the character's dialogue, often opens up the text in ways that are missed otherwise. 11
What narratives are: 3. Narratives are multi-layered 1 st layer The individual people and events described in the story itself 2 nd layer Part of the history of the original people of God 3 rd layer Part of the larger universal plan, as laid out in the Bible Each narrative interacts on all three levels What narratives are not: 1. Stories about biblical people The main character is always God and the correct question to ask every narrative passage is "what does this passage tell me about God? 12
What narratives are not: 2. Allegories with hidden meanings Very often, the Bible doesn't answer all the questions that we have In our attempts to find out more, we sometime miss the obvious truths and arrive at inaccurate conclusions. Sometimes, we read the Old Testament not on its own terms, but instead through a hypothetical symbolic link to the New Testament. What narratives are not: 3. Isolated events Each narrative does not always have a unique moral of its own. They all must be understood as part of both the book and the whole Bible. 13
The Six Principles 1. Narratives usually illustrate doctrine rather than directly teach it. 2. Narratives record what actually happened, not necessarily what was supposed to happen. 3. Many characters in the narratives are often bad examples. 4. Narratives rarely present an analysis or moral of the story. 5. Narratives are selective and incomplete. 6. The ultimate hero of all biblical narratives is God. An example Genesis 22 Artistry Three sections (verses 1, 7, 11) Changing names (God / Lord) Multiple layers God saved Isaac God provided a land for his people God will personally provide for his people The primary purpose is to show God s faithfulness to Abraham, not Abraham's faithfulness to God. 14
Conclusion The narratives can sometimes be the easiest parts of the Bible to read, but also some of the most difficult to assign a clear meaning to. Quite often, the details of the story are the key to the larger picture. God is always the main character in each narrative. BIB101 (CBC) / BIE500 (ACTS) 15
Introduction 1. The Gospels of the Bible are the first four books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 2. The main subject of the Gospels is Jesus. 3. Each of the four Gospel writers had a different reason for writing and therefore a provides a different presentation of Jesus. Introduction 4. They are not primarily biographies or complete histories of Jesus, rather, their intent is to present Jesus as God's complete solution to the human predicament. 5. Each author uses a different style and sometimes different content to achieve his intended purpose. 16
The Historical Jesus The Original Quest (1700 s-1900 s) No possibility of the supernatural The No Quest (1900 s-1950 s) Nothing can be known The New/Second Quest (1950 s-1970 s) Some history can be known Life and Teachings of Jesus The Historical Jesus The Third Quest (1980 s-) Two approaches Jesus Seminar Third Quest Five Results Philosopher Holy Man Revolutionary Prophet Messiah Life and Teachings of Jesus 17
The Identity of Jesus Which identity: Do you accept? Is best supported by the Gospels? Why? Life and Teachings of Jesus Historical Context of Jesus 1. The context of Jesus and the Gospels is first century Palestinian Judaism. 2. This was a time of religious frustration and political uncertainty in which the people were waiting for complete political and spiritual deliverance by God himself through the Messiah. 3. A common feature in the first-century spiritual landscape was the presence of traveling spiritual teachers, and although Jesus' method was similar to others, his message was revolutionary. 18
Literary Context 1. Matthew, Mark and Luke share much of the same information, while John tends to present different material than the others. 2. It is likely that the authors borrowed from each other quite freely, as they were not primarily concerned about being original but rather about getting their intended message across. 19
1. Read Them as Individual Stories Gospel stories have their own internal purpose and meaning, as well as a larger meaning within the book that they are a part of. One of the unique qualities about the Gospels however, is that there are four of them, and one helpful technique in reading a passage is to read it in parallel with the other Gospels. The goal is not to fill out the story in one Gospel with the details from the others, but instead to note the intentional distinctiveness of each Gospel. Most often it is the unique characteristics of each Gospel story that will help identify the main message and intent of the story. 20
2. Read Them as Whole Gospels Matthew purpose is to show Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah Mark purpose is to evoke a response from the readers (who is Jesus?) Luke purpose is to provide a firm basis for belief in Jesus John purpose is to present Jesus as fully divine and human The Kingdom of God Crucial not only to understanding the Gospels, but also to understanding the entire New Testament. 1. Most Jews of that era thought that they were living on the very edge of time. 2. The Jewish concept of a Messiah was a political, military and religious leader that would eternally rule the world, and bring shalom. 3. Two ages this age and the age to come This age - Sin, sickness, demon possession, triumph of the wicked The age to come - Presence of the Spirit, righteousness, health, peace 21
The Kingdom of God Already but Not Yet Jesus' miracles, teachings, etc, were all seen as fulfilments of ancient Messianic prophecies. Then it suddenly and horribly ended Jesus was crucified and he died. On the cross, Jesus cried out "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Three days later, the writers claim that Jesus was raised from the dead. Jesus visited his followers, but then he left to go back to heaven leaving the Holy Spirit to guide the people. It is here where all the spiritual tension is in the rest of the New Testament - God came to start his kingdom, but he didn t completely finish it. 22
Introduction to the Parables 1. Parables are specific short stories that Jesus told, and are recorded in the four Gospels 2. Everything that applies to the Gospels also applies to the parables. 3. Parables are a very specific type of story and therefore require some of their own guidelines. How a Parable Functions 1. Parables are not primarily illustrations of Jesus' teachings, instead, their purpose is to provoke a response from the hearer/reader - the parable itself is the message. Their interpretation is similar to modern jokes either you get it or you don't, and if it has to be explained it isn't funny anymore. The surprise ending to a parable gives extra force to the message. 23
How a Parable Functions 2. Points of Reference Like modern jokes, the points of reference in a parable are keys to understanding it. If we can't identify with the main elements of the story, the point will be lost on us. Example of Luke 7:40-42 Everybody (both historically and presently) can identify with a lender and being in debt either a little or a lot. Most people know the feeling of relief of having a debt forgiven. How a Parable Functions 3. Audience Also important is an awareness of the audience of the parable Sometimes it is fairly simple to identify who it is that Jesus is talking to - the Gospel writers will come right out and tell us. Example of "The Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus was speaking to a religious lawyer (well-known, often arrogant, probably a rabbi or Pharisee) The message of the parable is that God wants his people to love and help everybody, regardless of their beliefs. 24
Conclusion Everything in the Gospel stories (narrative, parables, sermons, etc.) has the intended purpose of asking the reader to respond to Jesus and his mission. The Gospels are not informational biographies but rather are writings that are meant get the reader to wrestle with the message and then respond from the heart. The key concept is the kingdom of God. The key characteristic is that the kingdom is already but not yet. 25