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A guide to the literary aspects of the Bible, this book surveys such biblical forms as narrative, poetry, proverb, gospel, parable, and epistle. It also discusses the literary unity of the Bible.
List of contents
Contents
Preface
1. Is the Bible Literature?
2. The Stories of the Bible
3. Types of Biblical Stories
4. The Poetry of the Bible
5. Types of Biblical Poetry
6. The Proverb as a Literary Form
7. The Gospels
8. Parables
9. The Epistles
10. Satire
11. Visionary Literature
12. The Literary Unity of the Bible
Appendix: The Allegorical Nature of the Parables
Index of Persons
Index of Subjects
About the author
Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) is professor of English at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has twice received the "teacher of the year" award.
Summary
Why the Good Book Is a Great Read If you want to rightly understand the Bible, you must begin by recognizing what it is: a composite of literary styles. It is meant to be read, not just interpreted. The Bible’s truths are embedded like jewels in the rich strata of story and poetry, metaphor and proverb, parable and letter, satire and symbolism. Paying attention to the literary form of a passage will help you understand the meaning and truth of that passage. How to Read the Bible as Literature takes you through the various literary forms used by the biblical authors. This book will help you read the Bible with renewed appreciation and excitement and gain a more profound grasp of its truths. Designed for maximum clarity and usefulness, How to Read the Bible as Literature includes * sidebar captions to enhance organization * wide margins ideal for note taking * suggestions for further reading * appendix: "The Allegorical Nature of the Parables" * indexes of persons and subjects
