Lecture 10

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation Lecture 10 Shepherds College Scott Jacobsen, Instructor 3 December 2024 Chiasm—Isaiah 5:20 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Is 5:20. 2 Inclusio Definition: The repetition of a concept, clause, or sentence at the beginning and end to tie a message together like bookends. • Dean B. Deppe, All Roads Lead to the Text: Eight Methods of Inquiry into the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011), 353. 3 Alternating Inclusio Joseph Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 2:13-15 Matthew 2:19-23 Herod Matthew 2:1-12 Matthew 2:16-18 4 Alternating Inclusio Disciples Matthew 27:55-61 Matthew 28:1-10 Matthew 28:16-20 Opposing Forces Matthew 27:62-66 Matthew 28:11-15 5 Alternating Inclusio Immanuel Matthew 1:23 Jesus’ Baptism Matthew 3:13-17 Herod’s Lie Matthew 2:8 Great Commission Matthew 28:20 Command to Baptism Matthew 28:19 Leaders’ Lie Matthew 28:13 6 Markan Intercalation (Sandwich) and Markan Frame Definition of a Markan intercalation A literary device whereby one story is bifurcated into two sections and a second story is inserted in between, indicating that the two stories are somehow similar in nature. Both the intercalations and the frames in the Gospel of Mark call attention to a suffering Messiah and the cost of discipleship in following this Messiah. On two occasions the intercalation demonstrates how this Messiah fulfils Jewish ceremonial regulations. Dean B. Deppe, All Roads Lead to the Text: Eight Methods of Inquiry into the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011), 360. 7 Examples • Mark 3:20–34 • Mark 3:35 • Mark 5:21–43 • Mark 6:7–30 • Mark 11:12–26 • Mark 14:1–11 • Mark 14:53–72 8 Markan Frame Two similar passages serve as bookends (inclusio) to a section of narrative to focus the content and offer an interpretation of the material in between. Dean B. Deppe, All Roads Lead to the Text: Eight Methods of Inquiry into the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011), 360. • 9 Examples • Mark 1:1; Mark 1:14–15 • Mark 1: 14-15; Mark 1:39 • Mark 1:40–45; Mark 3:7–12 • Mark 3:13–19; Mark 3:33–34 • Mark 4:1-3; 33-36 • Mark 4:35-41; Mark 8 :13–21 • Mark 8:22–26; Mark 10:46–52 • Mark 11:9–11; Mark 12:36 +Mark 13:1 • Mark 12:41–44; Mark 14:3–9 • Mark 14:3-9; Mark 16 :1–8 10 Repetition Examples: Rom 8:18–27 (groaning); Rom 5:1–11 (we rejoice); Eph 4:4–6 (one); Rev 22:6–20 (Behold, I am coming soon: 22:7, 12, 20). 11 leitwort (Keyword) Examples: Rom 8:18–27 (groaning); Rom 5:1–11 (we rejoice); Eph 4:4–6 (one); Rev 22:6–20 (Behold, I am coming soon: 22:7, 12, 20). 12 Word chains • Examples: Rom 5:3–5; 8:38–39; 2 Pet 1:5–7. 13 A motif or picture • Example: 1 Pet 2:4–8 (stone or rock). 14 Formula • Examples: the prophetic imprecation formula in Amos 1:3–2:16 (“for three sins of ——, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath”). 15 Refrain or chorus • Examples: Pss 42–43; 46; 49; 57; 67; 80; 99; 107; 136. 16 Form letter 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Address: “To the angel …” Christ’s Self-designation: “The Words of him …” Their Present Condition: “I know your works …” Correction: “But I have this against you … (except the last three and Smyrna) Command Warning or Encouragement Standard Concluding Exhortation: “He who has an ear, let him hear …” Eschatological Promise: “To him who conquers I …” 17 Apocalyptic Literature Apocalyptic Literature, Introduction to (Ἀποκάλυψις, Apokalypsis, “revelation, unveiling”). A genre of biblical writing that reveals God’s actions and coming judgment in symbolic language. The transition from prophecy and apocalyptic is characterized by an increased use of symbolism and an increased use of heavenly mediators explaining the vision. The latter half of the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation are representative of the apocalyptic genre. D. A. Neal, “Apocalyptic Literature, Introduction to,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). 18 Authority, Authoritative Another concept that is synonymous with canonicity is “authority.” The rulers of Israel were to be subject to the authority of the Scriptures. The Lord commanded that when a king “sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll … and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God” (Deut. 17:18–19). The Lord enjoined the same authoritative writings unto Joshua, saying, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night” (Josh. 1:8). • Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible, Rev. and expanded. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 205. 19 Biblical theology Biblical Theology . . . seeks to understand the theological coherence and unity of the diverse literature of the Bible. Biblical theologians recognize the authoritative role of the biblical canon within the church. The historical orientation of biblical theology separates it from the field of systematic theology. William R. Osborne, “Biblical Theology, Practice of,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). 20 Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology • While systematic theology looks to the Bible for theological information concerning a topic of contemporary significance, biblical theology addresses unifying themes in the historical context of the text. • William R. Osborne, “Biblical Theology, Practice of,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). 21 biography • The ancient biography genre is almost entirely distinct from the modern biography genre. The word biographia is not used in reference to this genre until the fifth century AD (Aune, Greco-Roman, 107); prior to that, works of this genre were commonly designated by the Greek or Latin terms translated as “lives” (βίοι, bioi; vitae; Aune, Greco-Roman, 107). The canonical Gospels share similar features with the ancient biography genre and thus are commonly labeled as a type of ancient biography. • Edward T. Wright, “Ancient Biography,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). 22 Canon, Canonicity • The original meaning of the term canon can be traced to the ancient Greeks, who used it in a literal sense: a kanon was a rod, ruler, staff, or measuring rod. The Greek word kanon is probably a derivative of the Hebrew kaneh (reed), an Old Testament term meaning measuring rod (Ezek. 40:3; p 204 42:16). This literal concept provided the basis for a later extended use of the word kanon, meaning “standard,” “norm.” Even in pre-Christian Greek, the word kanon bore a non-literal meaning, as it does in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 10:13–16 it bears the sense of “sphere of action or influence.” Galatians 6:16 comes closest to the final theological significance of the word, as Paul says “Those who will walk by this rule [kanon], peace and mercy be upon them.” • Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible, Rev. and expanded. (Chicago: 23 Moody Press, 1986), 202–204. chronicles 1. A written history 2. Name of two OT books 3. Chronicler: name of unknown author of the Books of Chronicles 4. Chronicles of Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29) 5. Chronicles of Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29;12:15; 13:22) 6. Chronicles of Jehu (2 Chronicles 20:34; 32:32) 24 discourse • DISCOURSE, DIRECT The quotation of another’s speech. Often performs special functions in addition to quoting speech. The form of the phrase that introduces the quoted speech may signal additional information about the status of the quote in regard to the larger narrative. It is distinct from indirect discourse, where another’s speech is reported but not quoted • Nathan M. White, “Discourse, Direct,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). 25 Drama, Theatre New Testament Theatrical Images • 1 Corinthians 4:9 • Acts 19 • Hebrews 10:33 • 1 Corinthians 15:33 • 2 Peter 1:5 Books Written in Theatrical Style • Job • Mark • Revelation Old Testament • Ezekiel 4–5 • Ezekiel 12 • Isaiah 20:1–6 • Acts 21:11 • Jeremiah 13:1–7 • Jeremiah 17:19–27 • Jeremiah 17:19 • Jeremiah 17:27 • Jeremiah 32:1–25 • Jeremiah 51:59–64 26 epistle • Gk. epistolē and Lat. epistula represent a letter of any kind: originally simply a written communication between persons apart, whether personal and private or official. In this sense epistles are a part of the heritage of all literate peoples, and examples are to be found in the OT (2 Sa. 11; 1 Ki. 21; 2 Ki. 5; 10; 20; 2 Ch. 30; 32; Ezr. 4–5; 7; Ne. 2; 6; Est. 1; 3; 8–9; Is. 37; 39; Je. 29) and in the Greek papyri from Egypt (cf. all the large published collections of papyri, passim, and especially the Zenon correspondence). Such a letter was described by Demetrius, Typoi epistolikoi (1st century BC), as a written conversation, while Demetrius, On Style 3. 223ff., quotes Artemon, the ancient collector of Aristotle’s letters, as calling it half a dialogue. • J. H. Harrop, “Epistle,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 330. 27