Gospel Genres Robert C. Newman Biblical Theological Seminary Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What is a Genre? "A kind, sort, type; said of works of literature, art, etc." Webster’s New World Dictionary "A kind, sort, type; said of works of literature, art, etc." Webster’s New World Dictionary Literature: fiction, biography, novel, poetry, murder mystery, limerick, sermon … Literature: fiction, biography, novel, poetry, murder mystery, limerick, sermon … Art: portrait, landscape, abstract, still life, cartoon, caricature, art deco … Art: portrait, landscape, abstract, still life, cartoon, caricature, art deco … A sort of written, oral or visual communication that arouses particular expectations in the reader/listener due to certain distinctive markers. A sort of written, oral or visual communication that arouses particular expectations in the reader/listener due to certain distinctive markers. Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

Common Genres in the Gospels Narrative Narrative Dialogue Dialogue Miracle Account Miracle Account Controversy Account Controversy Account Discourse Discourse Parable Parable Symbolic Action Symbolic Action Genealogy Genealogy Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What sorts of things characterize narratives? A narrative is a story or tale of events, either factual or fictional. A narrative is a story or tale of events, either factual or fictional. Components of a narrative: Components of a narrative: Actors/Characters Actors/Characters Events/Action Events/Action Scene(s) Scene(s) Plot(s) Plot(s) Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

Types of narrative in the Gospels Annunciation/nativity stories Annunciation/nativity stories Calling/vocation stories Calling/vocation stories Recognition stories Recognition stories Witness stories Witness stories Encounter stories Encounter stories Conflict/controversy stories Conflict/controversy stories Pronouncement stories Pronouncement stories Miracle stories Miracle stories Passion stories Passion stories Hybrid stories Hybrid stories Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes dialogue? Recorded speech of two or more speakers interacting with one another Recorded speech of two or more speakers interacting with one another Characterized by: Characterized by: Direct discourse Direct discourse Relatively little narration Relatively little narration Used to: Used to: Show character Show character Record debate/argument Record debate/argument Answer questions Answer questions Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes a miracle account? Obviously, a narrative in which a miracle is the central action Obviously, a narrative in which a miracle is the central action Characteristics: Characteristics: The need is described The need is described Jesus’ help is sought Jesus’ help is sought Person in need (or helper) expresses faith Person in need (or helper) expresses faith Jesus performs miracle Jesus performs miracle Characters respond to miracle/Jesus Characters respond to miracle/Jesus Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes a controversy account? Narrative dominated by a controversy Narrative dominated by a controversy May be more dialogue or more discourse May be more dialogue or more discourse Interpretive Qs: Interpretive Qs: Plot – what is the controversy? Plot – what is the controversy? Actors – where are they coming from? Actors – where are they coming from? Actions – what do they say/do; how relate to the controversy? Actions – what do they say/do; how relate to the controversy? Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes discourse? The speech of a single speaker The speech of a single speaker May be included in narrative or may stand alone May be included in narrative or may stand alone Things to look for: Things to look for: What is the topic? What is the topic? How is speaker developing the topic? How is speaker developing the topic? What is the flow of the argument? What is the flow of the argument? Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes a parable? A brief story, told to illustrate a spiritual or ethical teaching A brief story, told to illustrate a spiritual or ethical teaching So it has characteristics of: So it has characteristics of: narrative narrative story-telling story-telling It usually teaches by analogy: It usually teaches by analogy: Tenor – the lesson topic being taught Tenor – the lesson topic being taught Vehicle – the story being used Vehicle – the story being used Points of resemblance – how the tenor is analogous to the vehicle Points of resemblance – how the tenor is analogous to the vehicle Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes a symbolic action? This is an acted parable This is an acted parable The action is often unusual: The action is often unusual: Cursing fig tree, washing feet Cursing fig tree, washing feet The audience/reader is expected to: The audience/reader is expected to: Realize that the action is symbolic Realize that the action is symbolic Try to discern what it is symbolic of Try to discern what it is symbolic of i.e., what is the tenor of which the action is the vehicle? i.e., what is the tenor of which the action is the vehicle? Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

What characterizes a genealogy? More common in the OT than the NT More common in the OT than the NT A list of names of ancestors & descendants, usually marked to indicate which are which A list of names of ancestors & descendants, usually marked to indicate which are which Interpretive questions: Interpretive questions: What is the author’s purpose in giving this genealogy? What is the author’s purpose in giving this genealogy? Why does he include or exclude various items? Why does he include or exclude various items? Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org

The End There is probably no end to this sort of analysis, but this is a start, and we need to stop here! Abstracts of Powerpoint Talks - newmanlib.ibri.org -newmanlib.ibri.org