Gospel GenresGospel Genres

Robert C. NewmanRobert C. Newman

Biblical Theological SeminaryBiblical Theological Seminary

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What is a Genre?What is a Genre?

""A kind, sort, type; said of works of A kind, sort, type; said of works of literature, art, etc.literature, art, etc."" Webster’s New World Webster’s New World DictionaryDictionary Literature: fiction, biography, novel, poetry, Literature: fiction, biography, novel, poetry,

murder mystery, limerick, sermon …murder mystery, limerick, sermon … Art: portrait, landscape, abstract, still life, Art: portrait, landscape, abstract, still life,

cartoon, caricature, art deco …cartoon, caricature, art deco … A sort of written, oral or visual A sort of written, oral or visual

communication that arouses particular communication that arouses particular expectations in the reader/listener due to expectations in the reader/listener due to certain distinctive markers.certain distinctive markers.

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Common Genres in the GospelsCommon Genres in the Gospels

NarrativeNarrative DialogueDialogue Miracle AccountMiracle Account Controversy AccountControversy Account DiscourseDiscourse ParableParable Symbolic ActionSymbolic Action GenealogyGenealogy

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What sorts of things What sorts of things characterize narratives?characterize narratives?

A narrative is a story or tale of A narrative is a story or tale of events, either factual or fictional.events, either factual or fictional.

Components of a narrative:Components of a narrative: Actors/CharactersActors/Characters Events/ActionEvents/Action Scene(s)Scene(s) Plot(s)Plot(s)

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Types of narrative in the GospelsTypes of narrative in the Gospels

Annunciation/nativity storiesAnnunciation/nativity stories Calling/vocation storiesCalling/vocation stories Recognition storiesRecognition stories Witness storiesWitness stories Encounter storiesEncounter stories Conflict/controversy storiesConflict/controversy stories Pronouncement storiesPronouncement stories Miracle storiesMiracle stories Passion storiesPassion stories Hybrid storiesHybrid stories

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What characterizes dialogue?What characterizes dialogue? Recorded speech of two or more Recorded speech of two or more

speakers interacting with one anotherspeakers interacting with one another Characterized by:Characterized by:

Direct discourseDirect discourse Relatively little narrationRelatively little narration

Used to:Used to: Show characterShow character Record debate/argumentRecord debate/argument Answer questionsAnswer questions

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What characterizes What characterizes a miracle account?a miracle account?

Obviously, a narrative Obviously, a narrative in which a miracle is in which a miracle is the central actionthe central action

Characteristics:Characteristics: The need is describedThe need is described Jesus’ help is soughtJesus’ help is sought Person in need (or Person in need (or

helper) expresses faithhelper) expresses faith Jesus performs miracleJesus performs miracle Characters respond to Characters respond to

miracle/Jesusmiracle/Jesus

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What characterizes What characterizes a controversy account?a controversy account?

Narrative dominated Narrative dominated by a controversyby a controversy May be more dialogue May be more dialogue

or more discourseor more discourse Interpretive Qs:Interpretive Qs:

Plot – what is the Plot – what is the controversy?controversy?

Actors – where are Actors – where are they coming from?they coming from?

Actions – what do they Actions – what do they say/do; how relate to say/do; how relate to the controversy?the controversy?

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What characterizes discourse?What characterizes discourse?

The speech of a The speech of a single speakersingle speaker

May be included in May be included in narrative or may narrative or may stand alonestand alone

Things to look for:Things to look for: What is the topic?What is the topic? How is speaker How is speaker

developing the topic?developing the topic? What is the flow of What is the flow of

the argument?the argument?

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What characterizes a parable?What characterizes a parable?

A brief story, told to illustrate a A brief story, told to illustrate a spiritual or ethical teachingspiritual or ethical teaching

So it has characteristics of: So it has characteristics of: narrative narrative story-tellingstory-telling

It usually teaches by analogy:It usually teaches by analogy: Tenor – the lesson topic being taughtTenor – the lesson topic being taught Vehicle – the story being usedVehicle – the story being used Points of resemblance – how the tenor is Points of resemblance – how the tenor is

analogous to the vehicleanalogous to the vehicle

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What characterizes a symbolic What characterizes a symbolic action?action?

This is an acted parableThis is an acted parable The action is often unusual:The action is often unusual:

Cursing fig tree, washing feetCursing fig tree, washing feet The audience/reader is expected to:The audience/reader is expected to:

Realize that the action is symbolicRealize that the action is symbolic Try to discern what it is symbolic ofTry to discern what it is symbolic of i.e., what is the tenor of which the action i.e., what is the tenor of which the action

is the vehicle?is the vehicle?

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What characterizes a genealogy?What characterizes a genealogy?

More common in the OT More common in the OT than the NTthan the NT

A list of names of A list of names of ancestors & ancestors & descendants, usually descendants, usually marked to indicate marked to indicate which are whichwhich are which

Interpretive questions:Interpretive questions: What is the author’s What is the author’s

purpose in giving this purpose in giving this genealogy?genealogy?

Why does he include or Why does he include or exclude various items?exclude various items?

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The EndThe End

There is probably no end to There is probably no end to this sort of analysis, but this is this sort of analysis, but this is a start, and we need to stop a start, and we need to stop

here!here!

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