THE THREE THE THREE WORLDSWORLDS

II. The World of the Text:

1. The Bible as Literature

In many societies, such as Israel, many types of utterance were strictly tied to particular settings, and followed highly stereotyped patterns. This alludes to the so-called Sitz im Leben (situation in life/historical setting).

Literary forms / genres of the Bible

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.

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. This type of

literature allows reader to realize how God communicates.

2. Metaphor - boldly and warmly declares that one thing IS the other.

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(Ps 23).

3. 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. Conversion is expected after reading the message.

Ex. Hosea 2 where his marriage story serves as an allegory of God’s relationship to Israel as a nation

Formal Level (Referent) Actual Level (Meaning)

KingSonFeastServantInvited GuestsThose accepting the invitationWedding garmentsExcluded guest

GodJesusBanquetApostlesThe Nation of IsraelChurch (converts)RighteousnessThose found unworthy

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).

4.Apocalyptic

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 writing is found in Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, parts of the Gospels and Revelation.

Mt.24: 6-7; 27- 31

Wars, famines, earthquakes, son of man coming

5.History It has a framework of events. It pertains to reports that are written with more literary elaboration. It focuses on a

particular subject or historical era. A rudimentary

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.

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 year of 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.

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 year of 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.

under History

6.Legal codes/Law (covenant Treaties)This literary type speaks of laws, commandments, rules of conduct. It points even to rules governing physical hygiene and dietary regulation. This serves as guide to ones day-to-day living.

7. Poetry/Songs

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 God communicates 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

6 Though he was in the form of God, JESUSdid not regard equality with God something to be grasped.* 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;*and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.* 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the name* that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,* of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,* to the glory of God the Father (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-11)

The early Christological Hymns of the First Christian Community

Wisdom Literature is focus on questions about the meaning of life (Job, Ecclesiastes), practical living, and common sense (Proverbs and some Psalms ).

Wisdom

I undertook great projects. I built houses and planted vineyards…I bought slaves, owned herds, amassed silver and gold…I denied myself nothing… and what does pleasure accomplish?It was a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

(Ecc 2:4-11)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (Ecc 5:10)

under poetry

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.“

Job1: 21

8. Midrash:

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.

Matthew 1:22-23 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 the words 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.”

9. ParableIt 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 but makes effective use of the imagination.

10. 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 another person or to a community on a doctrinal or pastoral matter

11. GospelIt literally means good news since the Greek word

euangelion 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

3 Basic Tools in Literary Analysis

1. Literary Criticism It is concerned with the style, structure, and distinctive language of a given text. It includes philology

1. Literary Criticism It is concerned with the style, structure, and distinctive language of a given text. It includes philology

2. Narrative Criticisma.analysis, both ancient and modern, and communicates the biblical message in the form of story and personal testimony which can reshape or influence the world of the reader a.It analyzes the plot of the text that has a beginning, conflict, climax, and an ending.

a.The signifier (i.e., the narrative discourse) and the signified (i.e., the content of the story). The passage from the signifier to the signified takes place through the reader's creative activity.

2. Narrative Criticisma.analysis, both ancient and modern, and communicates the biblical message in the form of story and personal testimony which can reshape or influence the world of the reader a.It analyzes the plot of the text that has a beginning, conflict, climax, and an ending.

a.The signifier (i.e., the narrative discourse) and the signified (i.e., the content of the story). The passage from the signifier to the signified takes place through the reader's creative activity.

Rhetoric as an art of persuation- rhetoric refers not so much to “literary artistry” as to the disciplined art of persuasion, as practiced and theorized by Greeks and Romans of the classical and Hellenistic periods. Rhetorical criticism, in this regard tended to focus on the evidences of the influence of classical Greek and Roman rhetoric on New Testament texts. Rhetorical criticism studies both stylistics issues and the intentionality of the text.

Rhetoric as an art of persuation- rhetoric refers not so much to “literary artistry” as to the disciplined art of persuasion, as practiced and theorized by Greeks and Romans of the classical and Hellenistic periods. Rhetorical criticism, in this regard tended to focus on the evidences of the influence of classical Greek and Roman rhetoric on New Testament texts. Rhetorical criticism studies both stylistics issues and the intentionality of the text.

3. Rhetorical Criticism

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