How to Read the Bible: History, Prophecy, Literature--Why Modern Readers Need to Know the Difference and What It Means for Faith Today

History, Prophecy, Literature--Why Modern Readers Need to Know the Difference and What It Means for Faith Today

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, Criticism & Interpretation
Cover of the book How to Read the Bible: History, Prophecy, Literature--Why Modern Readers Need to Know the Difference and What It Means for Faith Today by Steven L McKenzie, Oxford University Press, USA
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Steven L McKenzie ISBN: 9780199840038
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA Publication: March 16, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Steven L McKenzie
ISBN: 9780199840038
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Publication: March 16, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

McKenzie argues that to comprehend the Bible we must grasp the intentions of the biblical authors themselves--what sort of texts they thought they were writing and how they would have been understood by their intended audience. In short, we must recognize the genres to which these texts belong. McKenzie examines several genres that are typically misunderstood, offering careful readings of specific texts to show how the confusion arises, and how knowing the genre produces a correct reading. The book of Jonah, for example, offers many clues that it is meant as a humorous satire, not a straight-faced historical account of a man who was swallowed by a fish. Likewise, McKenzie explains that the very names "Adam" and "Eve" tell us that these are not historical characters, but figures who symbolize human origins ("Adam" means man , "Eve" is related to the word for life ). Similarly, the authors of apocalyptic texts--including the Book of Revelation--were writing allegories of events that were happening in their own time. Not for a moment could they imagine that centuries afterwards, readers would be poring over their works for clues to the date of the Second Coming of Christ, or when and how the world would end. For anyone who takes reading the Bible seriously and who wants to get it right, this book will be both heartening and enlightening.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

McKenzie argues that to comprehend the Bible we must grasp the intentions of the biblical authors themselves--what sort of texts they thought they were writing and how they would have been understood by their intended audience. In short, we must recognize the genres to which these texts belong. McKenzie examines several genres that are typically misunderstood, offering careful readings of specific texts to show how the confusion arises, and how knowing the genre produces a correct reading. The book of Jonah, for example, offers many clues that it is meant as a humorous satire, not a straight-faced historical account of a man who was swallowed by a fish. Likewise, McKenzie explains that the very names "Adam" and "Eve" tell us that these are not historical characters, but figures who symbolize human origins ("Adam" means man , "Eve" is related to the word for life ). Similarly, the authors of apocalyptic texts--including the Book of Revelation--were writing allegories of events that were happening in their own time. Not for a moment could they imagine that centuries afterwards, readers would be poring over their works for clues to the date of the Second Coming of Christ, or when and how the world would end. For anyone who takes reading the Bible seriously and who wants to get it right, this book will be both heartening and enlightening.

More books from Oxford University Press, USA

Cover of the book The Polluters: The Making of Our Chemically Altered Environment by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Psychology for Musicians : Understanding and Acquiring the Skills by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Cleopatra:A Biography by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Steel Drivin' Man : John Henry: The Untold Story Of An American Legend by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents:A Guide for School-Based Professionals by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Disciples of All Nations:Pillars of World Christianity by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Plutopia: Nuclear Families, Atomic Cities, and the Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Medical Saints: Cosmas and Damian in a Postmodern World by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book War From the Ground Up: Twenty-First Century Combat as Politics by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book A Slap in the Face: Why Insults Hurt--And Why They Shouldn't by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book The Learning Brain:Memory and Brain Development in Children by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Buddhism by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book The Struggle for Egypt : From Nasser to Tahrir Square by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book The American Occupation of Japan : The Origins of the Cold War in Asia by Steven L McKenzie
Cover of the book Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder:A Family Guide for Healing and Change by Steven L McKenzie
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy