Getting all we can from Scripture

Session 4Consider the genre

Men’s Bible Study at Park View

April 28, 2015

Getting all we can from ScriptureSeven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text)

Getting all we can from ScriptureSeven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text)

Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart

Getting all we can from ScriptureSeven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text)

Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart

Discipline #2 - Consider the context

Getting all we can from ScriptureSeven disciplines that help us read God's ideas out of the biblical text (rather than read our ideas into the text)

Discipline #1 - Prepare your heart

Discipline #2 - Consider the context

Discipline #3 - Consider the author’s situation

Discipline #4 - Consider the genre

Discipline #4 - Consider the genre

Do expectations the original audience had as they read biblical poetry, narrative, etc. guide us as we read such genre?

Genre of Poetry

Genre of Poetry

Only seven OT books contain no poetry

Genre of Poetry

Only seven OT books contain no poetry

Expectations as we approach Hebrew poetry:

Genre of Poetry

Only seven OT books contain no poetry

Expectations as we approach Hebrew poetry:

• We learn to appreciate parallelism

Psalm 1:1-2,6 -Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

• A lot might be said in a few words

• A lot might be said in a few words

Ps. 23:1

• A lot might be said in a few words

Ps. 23:1

through skipping conjunctions

• A lot might be said in a few words

Ps. 23:1

through skipping conjunctions

“(Since) the Lord is my shepherd, (therefore) I shall not be in want.”

• A lot might be said in a few words

Ps. 23:1

through skipping conjunctions

“(Since) the Lord is my shepherd, (therefore) I shall not be in want.”

through using imagery

• A lot might be said in a few words

Ps. 23:1

through skipping conjunctions

“(Since) the Lord is my shepherd, (therefore) I shall not be in want.”

through using imagery

The Psalms require a slower pace of reading

Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

• It tends to convey emotion rather than fact

• It tends to convey emotion rather than fact

Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

• It tends to convey emotion rather than fact

Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Psalm 91:9-10

• It tends to convey emotion rather than fact

Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Psalm 91:9-10If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the Lord, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you

The Psalms teach us to bring all our emotions, both positive and negative, to God.

The Psalms teach us to bring all our emotions, both positive and negative, to God.

Psalm 13:1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Genre of Narrative

Genre of Narrative

Over 40 percent of the Bible is historical narrative

Genre of Narrative

Over 40 percent of the Bible is historical narrative

Expectations as we approach Biblical narratives:

Genre of Narrative

Over 40 percent of the Bible is historical narrative

Expectations as we approach Biblical narratives:

• They give witness to God’s acts in history!

Genre of Narrative

Over 40 percent of the Bible is historical narrative

Expectations as we approach Biblical narratives:

• They give witness to God’s acts in history!

• We should go slow in basing our life and doctrine on them

• We should go slow in basing our life and doctrine on them

eg. Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6.

• We should go slow in basing our life and doctrine on them

eg. Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6. Also 8:14-18

• We should go slow in basing our life and doctrine on them

eg. Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6. Also 8:14-18

The way God’s people are to live can change over the course of redemptive history

• hyperbole is common in them

• hyperbole is common in them

Exodus 9:6 - “All the livestock of the Egyptians died”

• hyperbole is common in them

Exodus 9:6 - “All the livestock of the Egyptians died”compare vv20-21

• hyperbole is common in them

Exodus 9:6 - “All the livestock of the Egyptians died”compare vv20-21; 11:5

Genre of Wisdom Sayings

Genre of Wisdom Sayings

Expectation as we approach wisdom sayings:

Genre of Wisdom Sayings

Expectation as we approach wisdom sayings:• A proverb does not guarantee what will happen when one chooses a certain course of action, but describes what is likely to happen

Genre of Wisdom Sayings

Expectation as we approach wisdom sayings:• A proverb does not guarantee what will happen when one chooses a certain course of action, but describes what is likely to happen

eg. Prov. 11:25

Genre of Wisdom Sayings

Expectation as we approach wisdom sayings:• A proverb does not guarantee what will happen when one chooses a certain course of action, but describes what is likely to happen

eg. Prov. 11:25; 16:3

Genre of Prophecy

Genre of Prophecy

Expectation as we approach prophetic sayings:

Genre of Prophecy

Expectation as we approach prophetic sayings:• Concrete images abound, rather than abstract concepts

Genre of Prophecy

Expectation as we approach prophetic sayings:• Concrete images abound, rather than abstract concepts

Isaiah 65:25 - The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.