Imagine passing by a newspaper stand and seeing the above headline. What images does it make you think of and what thoughts come to mind? Importantly, what do you think influences those images and what sort of information would you need to have to explain the meaning of the headline – do you need to know the background and what section of the newspaper it relates to?
Like any piece of writing, an understanding of the context and the literary form are crucial when reading Scripture. We will briefly look at each element.
An informed reading of Scripture begins with an awareness of the context in which the biblical texts were written. Context includes the historical, social and cultural circumstances of the authors and the communities for whom they were writing.
Read the following quotation:
“In a way that differs from tenets of other religions, the message of the Bible is solidly grounded in history. It follows that the biblical writings cannot be correctly understood without an examination of the historical circumstances that shaped them.”
Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (Boston: St Paul Books, 1993), conclusion, Para. 3.
As such, the people who wrote the texts that eventually became Scripture were influenced by the circumstances in which they lived. Compile a list of types of events that might influence the way a story could be told. Response sheet
If you were to open a newspaper you will be able to see quickly that it contains different types of information. Even the way that the newspaper is put together influences the type of content. The front page often contains the main stories and headlines, the back section might contain sport, and various stand-alone ‘lift out’ sections contain lifestyle content.
In a similar way, Biblical texts use a range of different styles of writing to convey their messages. An understanding of these different styles, therefore, is an important part of the process of interpretation.
“To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to ‘literary forms.’ For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture.” (Dei Verbum, no.12)
Now list any different sorts of writing in the Bible of which you are aware. Response sheet
What we read in the Bible is theological reflection and interpretation of God’s revelation, shaped for particular audiences. The primary focus of the writers was to explain the meaning and significance of this revelation. This helps to explain the differences that can be seen in multiple accounts of the same event.
The following web page is divided into four columns, one for each gospel. Within each column, scroll down the page to the section titled “Jesus’ death”. [NB You can speed up this task by scrolling down the first column to the section and then clicking on each of the coloured book icons at the top of the column. That will automatically shift the other columns to the relevant section of the gospel.]
Read this section for each gospel and list:
http://www.utoronto.ca/religion/synopsis/meta-4g.htm
You will note that there are some differences. Make a note of any questions and/or comments which this activity raises for you. Response sheet
Context and literary form are the starting point for an informed interpretation of Scripture. The first unit in the course, THEO562 Introducing the Scriptures, will introduce you to the processes that enable an informed critical reading of the biblical text as sacred scripture.
Congratulations. You have completed the first step in the journey. Make sure you bring your notes from part three and four to the first session of the unit THEO 562. No doubt there will be some questions and points of discussion that we can follow up on together as we begin to explore Scripture.