Week 7: Dialect

Dialect – The Bible is literature, and it must be read as such. There are many different genres of literature present in the Scriptures, and we should identify the intended style before making assumptions and interpretations.

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

David Ewert
Since the Bible is literature, we at least need some literary expertise if we are to hear its message.
How to Understand the Bible

Secular example: “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

Biblical example: Gal 4:3 calling us slaves is a metaphor and a euphemism.

The Bible has fourteen or more different genres of literature in it!

Genesis 3
⋙Talking snake
⋙Fruit that gives eternal life if you eat the fruit
⋙Fruit that spiritually/physically kills you if you eat the fruit
⋙God kicks them out so they don’t accidentally eat the eternal fruit

Genesis 4-5
Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain… Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil… Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant… When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died. 6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.
9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died. 12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

Biblical example: Genesis 3 is written like an allegory (talking animal, magic fruit) but Genesis 4 is written like history (genealogy, names, dates).

Luke 1:1-4
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

How do we know the Bible’s records of Jesus’ resurrection is literal and not a metaphor?
Luke claims to have carefully investigated eyewitness reports.

John 20:25-29
[Thomas] said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

How do we know the Bible’s records of Jesus’ resurrection is literal and not a metaphor?
Thomas was a skeptic about Jesus’ resurrection – until he saw him. Thomas moved to India and died a martyr claiming he had seen the risen Jesus.

People don’t die for what they know to be a lie. Have people died for a falsehood? Yes, but they believed it was true. Many followers of Jesus died claiming they saw Jesus risen.

Revelation 14:9-10
If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury…

Deuteronomy 6:5…9
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts… Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads…

Revelation 7:3-4
“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

Revelation 22:3-4
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

Biblical example: Revelation’s “Mark of the Beast” is apocalyptic and symbolic literature talking about our beliefs and actions.

Practical Application:
Read the introduction to a book or section to understand its genre.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace.

Proverbs 1:1-6
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction…
…6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Practical Application:
I should use common sense when trying to discern the genre and not throw it out just because I’m reading the Bible.

I need a good Study Bible like The Quest or Logos.com Bible software!
http://truthrevolution.tv/know-the-bible/

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.