TECHNICAL TRAINING MLC CATECHESIS COMMITTEE 10 October 2013

TECHNICAL TRAINING

MLC CATECHESIS COMMITTEE10 October 2013

BasicLITERARY GENRES

of the HOLY BIBLE

The Basic LITERARY GENRES of the HOLY BIBLEMLC Technical Training

QUESTION…

Is the Bible a book?

Or…. a LIBRARY of books?


"GENRE" is a category or type of literature

(or of art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form, style, or content.


Major Genres within the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Foundational Myths & Legends: stories about the origins of the world, the first generations of humans, or the early years of a nation, intended to provide a foundational world-view upon which people base their communal and individual lives .(Ex. Genesis, first parts of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)


2. Legal Codes: collections of laws and instructions by which the people are to live. (Ex. Leviticus, parts of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

3. Genealogies: lists of inter-relationships between peoples, either of successive generations or of different nations. (Ex. parts of Genesis, much of Numbers)


4. Annals: semi-historical narrative accounts of select events in a nation's life, focusing especially upon political and military exploits of its leaders, since usually written under royal sponsorship. (Ex. Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc.)

5. Prophetic Books: collections of the oracles or words of God spoken to the people through human intermediaries (prophets) and the symbolic actions they perform at God's direction for the people's benefit. (Ex. Isaiah, Jericho, Ezekiel, etc.)


6. Psalms/Odes/Songs: poetic lyrics of songs/hymns intended for communal worship and/or individual prayer. (Ex. Psalms)

7. Prayers/Laments: words addressed by people to God, esp. reflecting situations of crisis or lament. (Ex. Lamentations, Habakkuk)

8. Proverbs: generalized sayings and aphorisms containing advice on how to live well: "do good and avoid evil“. (Ex. Proverbs)


9. Wisdom Literature: various types of inspirational stories that encourage people to live wisely. (Ex. Job, Wisdom, etc.)

10. Apocalypses: symbolic narratives that interpret historical crises through God's eyes to provide hope for a better future. (Ex. Daniel)


Major Genres within the New Testament------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Gospels: proclamations of the "good news" about Jesus intended to establish and/or strengthen people's faith in him; quasi-biographical, semi-historical portraits of the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus. (Ex. Mark, Matthew, Luke, John)

2) Acts: a partial narrative account about the beginnings and

the growth of early Christianity; not a complete history of the early Church, since it focuses only on the actions of a few missionary leaders. (Ex. Acts)


3. Letters: real letters addressing practical and theological issues relevant to particular communities. (Ex. St. Paul's)

4. Church Orders: collections of instructions for the practical organization

of religious communities. (Ex. 1 Timothy, Titus)

5. Testament: a document that gives a dying person's last wishes and instructions for his/her successors. (Ex. 2 Timothy & 2 Peter)


6. Homily/Sermon: an exegetical sermon that cites and interprets older biblical texts in reference to Jesus. (Ex. Hebrews)

7. Wisdom Collection: a collection of general instructions on how to live an

ethical Christian life well. (Ex. James)


8. Epistles/Encyclicals: more stylized works in letter format; "circular letters" intended for broader audiences. (Ex. 1 & 2 Peter)

9. Apocalypse: a vividly symbolic narrative that "reveals" God's views about a historical crisis, in order to provide encouragement for a difficult present and hope for a better future. (Ex. Revelations)


HOW MUST WE DELIVER THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE BASED ON

THE GENRE OF THE PASSAGEBEING READ?


1. Begin with a PRAYER.2. Read passage over and over till you

UNDERSTAND it. 3. Reflect on its MESSAGE.4. FEEL the author’s emotions.5. PRACTICE reading out loud.6. Ask someone for FEEDBACK on how to

improve even more.

DO…


1. Make it sound like a SOLILOQUY.2. Exaggerate or call attention to

yourself.3. Forget to connect with the audience.4. Be frightened of mistakes (learn from

them!).

DON’T…


LET’S PRACTICEREADING SOME

COMMON GENRES!


Foundational Myths & Legends

GN 6:5-13

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/habakkuk/1:2


When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived

was always nothing but evil, the LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved.

So the LORD said: “I will wipe out from the earth the human beings

I have created, and not only the human beings, but also the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air, for I regret that I made them. “

But Noah found favor with the LORD.These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man and

blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

But the earth was corrupt in the view of God and full of lawlessness. When God saw how corrupt the earth had become, since all mortals had corrupted

their ways on earth, God said to Noah: “I see that the end of all mortals has come, for the earth is full of

lawlessness because of them. So I am going to destroy them with the earth.”


Prophetic Books

IS 9:1-6


The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing;

They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest,as they exult when dividing the spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder,The rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,

Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains.

By judgment and justice, both now and forever.The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!


Prayers/Laments

HB 1:2-3; 2:2-4

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/habakkuk/1:2


How long, O LORD? I cry for helpbut you do not listen!

I cry out to you, "Violence!"but you do not intervene.

Why do you let me see ruin;why must I look at misery?

Destruction and violence are before me;there is strife, and clamorous discord.Then the LORD answered me and said:

Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,so that one can read it readily.For the vision still has its time,

presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;if it delays, wait for it,

it will surely come, it will not be late.The rash one has no integrity;

but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.


Letters

2 COR 4: 1-6


Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged.

Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God,

but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

And even though our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age

has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,

who is the image of God.

For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.

For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light

the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ.


Church Orders

1 TIM 2: 1-6


First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,

for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life

in all devotion and dignity.This is good and pleasing to God our savior,

who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God.There is also one mediator between God and the human race,

Christ Jesus, himself human,who gave himself as ransom for all.


LET’S REVIEWOUR TIPS

ONE MORE TIME!


1. Begin with a PRAYER.2. Read passage over and over till you

UNDERSTAND it. 3. Reflect on its MESSAGE.4. FEEL the author’s emotions.5. PRACTICE reading out loud.6. Ask someone for FEEDBACK on how to

improve even more.

DO…


1. Make it sound like a soliloquy.2. Exaggerate or call attention to

yourself.3. Forget to connect with the audience.4. Be frightened of mistakes

(learn from them!).

DON’T…



WE SERVE FOR GOD’S

GREATER GLORY!


THE END

Documents

TECHNICAL TRAINING MLC CATECHESIS COMMITTEE 10 October 2013