Bible: Literary Genres in the NT

Knowing the Form Helps With Interpretation

T or F? (Pop Quiz for Really Smart People!)

• Lower criticism studies multiple copies of the biblical text to determine the original wording.
• Higher criticism examines such facets as the literary genre, historical background, and authorship to interpret the biblical text correctly.

Congratulations! Both are True. As Bible students and writers, it’s natural that we should want to understand the structure behind the texts we know and love. Scholars have identified a number of literary genres present in the New Testament Canon.

Acts: Historical Narrative

For example, the historical narrative form of Acts exhibits several features common to the Greco-Roman literature of this genre. The Book of Acts is reputed to be the second scroll of a two-volume historical narrative written by Paul’s traveling companion Luke. Addressed to a Greek-speaking convert named Theophilus, Luke-Acts was to written confirm the recipient’s faith by providing him with a historical record of the Spirit’s activity in the life of Christ and world evangelization.

In the Book of Acts, Luke organizes his information logically around the theme of the geographical expansion of the church. Luke dates the events in Acts by the accession of Roman officials, a practice that is in keeping with other ancient historical writers.

Also, like many Greco-Roman writers who drew comparisons between personalities, Luke highlights the activities of Peter and Paul as part of his historical technique. The apologetic purpose of Acts is advanced in the book’s thirteen short speeches, which make up approximately one-fourth of the work.

James: Epistle

James’ practical essay in ethical living was circulated as an epistle to Diaspora Jewish Christians, and alludes to Old Testament wisdom literature. Most scholars believe the Book of James was written by “James the Just,” the Lord’s brother and main spokesperson for the Jerusalem church.

A polished and unified work, the epistle of James reads like a “letter-essay” or homily intended for the large Jewish-Christian audience of the Diaspora. The sophisticated use of the Greek language in this epistle suggests that James may have used an amanuenses (scribe or secretary) to record his thoughts. James’ epistle opens with features common to ancient letters, including the name and title of the author and addressees, and a brief greeting.

Considered one of the earliest Christian manuscripts, the message of the epistle draws on Greco-Roman rhetorical conventions, Jewish ethical wisdom, and Jesus’ teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.

Some scholars argue that this letter is written in the Greek style called a paranesis, which is a loose list of related exhortations. Other scholars view the epistle as a New Testament collection of proverbs.

Gospel Genre of the Four Evangelists

Finally, considered a form of Greco-Roman biography, the accounts of the four Evangelists represent the gospel genre. Scholars now classify the gospel genre used in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as ancient biography. It is thought that the Evangelists employed the ancient biographical genre in order to provide a controlling context for the apostolic traditions. This was to mitigate against subversion of the Gospel message and against reductionism.

Greco-Roman biography was a form of historical writing that attempted to recount a narrative in a lively and entertaining way. It presented the facts as accurately as possible, bringing out the meaning of the documented events. Since authors of ancient topical biographies had complete freedom to arrange the material according to their purposes for writing, events were not always listed in chronological order.

In fact, the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are strikingly similar in content, but the biographical material has been rearranged to appeal to different audiences. Another feature common to this genre is the moral. For instance, after reading John’s Gospel account, the reader is challenged to ask, “What is the moral of this story? How should I respond to the life of Jesus Christ?”

Finally, ancient biographies were short so that the overall flow of thought could be perceived in one sitting.

Summary

In summary, when approaching the New Testament with the techniques of higher criticism, the careful student must examine the literary genres employed by the biblical authors. Through special and progressive revelation, the Holy Spirit has employed all of these literary genres―and many more―to communicate his glorious plan for redemption through the Scriptures.

I’m indebted to Craig S. Keener’s IVP Bible Background Commentary and Merrill C. Tenney’s The New Testament Survey, Revised for this information.

Related: Join the Christian Carnival ii here. Random: Bible Poetry

Photos: nyello8 (1 & 3) Smith831 (2) sukisuki (4) (Flickr)

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