Reading the Bible: What's the point of all these different books?

In the book,  How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, authors Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart provide a guide for choosing the best tools to help you engage with your Bible effectively, interpreting Scripture as God intended. Sound like a tall order?  I hear you. Trust me, it really isn’t as hard as it sounds!




Getting Started
You'll recall hearing something like the following as a teacher or pastor discussed a scripture passage: "Back in those times, the women of Corinth....".  Intrepreting the original intent of the scripture by examining the cultural context (exegesis), is a great place to begin your study.  This type of commentary isn't exclusive for the "experts".  The next time you read a passage of scripture, check out the brief overview found in the book, Reading the Bible Book by Book, to determine the context within which the passage was written. 

Hermeneutics, a broad term used when referring to Biblical interpretation, reminds us that rather than starting in the here and now (as you would for a devotion, seeking today's application), start with God's original intent, the plain meaning, for readers then and there.

Considering the genre, or type of literature, is a good place to begin. 

Did you know there different types of literature in the Bible?

It is important to ask the right kinds of questions when reading the Bible.  The overarching question we should ask each time we read the Bible is really more of a prayer: 

"God, what do you want me know about You?  What do you want me to know about me?"

Below you will see the various types of literature found in the Bible, along with a brief overview of each literary style.  In addition, you'll find a few questions to get you started interacting with God. 

 




For more information, read Chapter 1 in Reading the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart.

OLD TESTAMENT
History	Genesis  through Esther	A purposeful story retelling the historical events of the past that are INTENDED to give meaning and direction for a given people.  God is the primary character in the story and all Old Testament stories point toward God’s heart and actions on behalf of His people. ·         What is this story telling me about God? ·         Why would they have included this story in the first place? ·         What does this story tells us about God’s relationship with mankind?

Writings     Prayers & Hymns     Wisdom	Psalms	Use of creative and imaginary that helps us understand God and our relationship with Him.   Prayers addressed to God or songs expressing truth about God. Reading the Psalms can provide great benefit for expressing joys and sorrows, successes and failures, and hopes and regrets.  ·         How does this Psalm (or song) help me express myself to God? ·         Who is God?  How does He act? ·         How does it direct me toward considering God and His ways?
	Proverbs Job Ecclesiastes (+/-Song of Solomon)	Wisdom is the ability to make godly choices in life by applying God’s truth to your life.  These books were meant to be read in context and in larger sections as opposed to bits and pieces. General principles. ·         What kind of heart motive and/or behavior does God desire for me? ·         What is generally true about life?
Prophecies (Prophetic Books)	Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel +12 Minor Prophets (based on length)	God used these prophets as a spokesperson for their particular day and time.  Spoke into a current situation to bring about hope that God’s intended restoration of His original creation and would someday come about.  Important to know what was happening at that time. They included God’s warnings for sinful behavior and attitudes towards God’s design/intent AND statements of God’s continual desire for restoration.   ·         What was happening at the time of this prophesy?  ·         What can I learn about God through His interactions with the prophet and the people?
NEW TESTAMENT
Gospels Historical Biography	Matthew Mark Luke John	The Gospels tell us about the life and sayings of Jesus.  They also invite us to follow Jesus.  These four books must be read as a collection of teachings and stories woven together. Typically can be divided into sayings (of Jesus) and narratives (about Jesus).  ·         Who was/is Jesus? ·         How did He live? ·         What did He say? ·         What does a life look like that follows Jesus?

History	Acts	Luke uses Acts to tell the story of God continuing the work He began with Jesus and continues through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church.  Acts tells us what happened and invites us to consider why these events were important to the spread of the gospel.  It does not necessarily provide a normative pattern for the here & now.  ·         What happened after Jesus life, death and resurrection? ·         What do I learn about the cooperative work of the Holy Spirit and Christ followers? ·         How did the gospel spread amidst the opposition?
Letters / Epistles	Romans - Jude	Letters written to either an individual or group.  They are considered “occasional documents” (i.e. arising out of and intended for a specific circumstances or occasion).  They were written primarily when some behavior needed correcting, or doctrinal error needed to be addressed or a misunderstanding clarified.  ·         What was the “occasion”—what question or issue was being addressed by the author for what purpose? ·         How could this letter impact what I believe and how I live? Caution should be exercised in assuming all things apply in all situations.
Apocalyptic	Revelation	John’s vision of Jesus and what was to come.  Written to the church and was a word for their present situation to speak God’s word in the present and spoke to the coming judgment or salvation.  Also speaks to the future when Jesus Christ returns.  ·         What do I see in the churches mentioned in Revelation chapter 2 & 3 that remind me of today? ·         What hope do I find in the visions for life after death especially in chapter 21 and 22?