Many pastors and church leaders have been taught that the Bible is "literature." Here is an example of what is commonly taught:
Indeed the Bible includes many different genres. The problem however, is that the Bible is not a work of literature, but rather a work of the spirit of God. Being in literary form does not make it a work of literature. By definition all other written works in literary form, are different. In other words, what God has inspired to be first written in literary form, but is finished by the promise of God written in the hearts of people is not at all "literature" by nature. Not at all.
As such, genre teaching is only good as a means of elementary explanation of what God has done first in literary form--which was simply a tool or form of media and communication--not a biblical law to be imposed within the Church as a limit, as if "All scripture is" not "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness", as it is written. Therefore, beyond the elementary use of genre teachings, are to be considered the teachings of men and not of God. Such teachings should be rejected as being against the finished work of God, which is both begun and finished in by the Spirit; and should be rejected as anti-Christ, as it is Christ who has sent the Holy Spirit.
Beware!
The Bible is a work of literature. Literature comes in different genres, or categories based on style, and each is read and appreciated differently from another. For example, to confuse a work of science fiction with a medical textbook would cause many problems—they must be understood differently. And both science fiction and a medical text must be understood differently from poetry. Therefore, accurate exegesis and interpretation takes into consideration the purpose and style of a given book or passage of Scripture. In addition, some verses are meant figuratively, and proper discernment of these is enhanced by an understanding of genre. An inability to identify genre can lead to serious misunderstanding of Scripture. The main genres found in the Bible are these: law, history, wisdom, poetry, narrative, epistles, prophecy and apocalyptic literature. |
Indeed the Bible includes many different genres. The problem however, is that the Bible is not a work of literature, but rather a work of the spirit of God. Being in literary form does not make it a work of literature. By definition all other written works in literary form, are different. In other words, what God has inspired to be first written in literary form, but is finished by the promise of God written in the hearts of people is not at all "literature" by nature. Not at all.
As such, genre teaching is only good as a means of elementary explanation of what God has done first in literary form--which was simply a tool or form of media and communication--not a biblical law to be imposed within the Church as a limit, as if "All scripture is" not "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness", as it is written. Therefore, beyond the elementary use of genre teachings, are to be considered the teachings of men and not of God. Such teachings should be rejected as being against the finished work of God, which is both begun and finished in by the Spirit; and should be rejected as anti-Christ, as it is Christ who has sent the Holy Spirit.
Beware!
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