Among other genres, the Bible is clearly a work of prophecy, a work of theology, and a work of history. Most serious Christians are easily able to characterize the Bible in those ways. But in conservative religious circles, it is often forgotten that the Bible is also a great work of literature. In fact, some religious leaders absolutely hate to think of it as a work of literature because they ignorantly believe works of literature are limited to artistic fiction. Because of this misconception, they fear that classifying the Bible as literature diminishes its importance as a factual work of a supernatural God. It doesn’t. Instead, God's ability to combine all of the Bible’s genres into a single, unified volume of truth cements its status as a divine work.
Consider two of the many kinds of literary devices that pop up in the Bible’s factual narrative over and over again – devices such as irony and poetic justice. Prior to his conversion, Paul, a very well educated Pharisee (Philippians 3:5-6) who knew God’s word supremely well, used that knowledge along with a prideful and false wisdom to brutally persecute God’s family. On the road to Damascus, God struck Paul blind so that his pride could be illuminated, and so that the falseness of his wisdom could be exposed (Acts 9, Reflections on Pauls Blindness) . The “wise” and “insightful” Paul is ironically made to see the true light and to gain genuine wisdom by the imposition of a poetic justice – the temporary pain of blindness.
Now consider those two literary devices, along with the literary device of Thematic Repetition. The elements of Paul’s story are repeated again with a different character in Acts 13:4-12. In that passage, Paul is on his first missionary Journey where he meets a man with the name Bar-Jesus, which means “son of Joshua,” or “son of the Savior.” That man is a “magician,” who also bears the name “Elymas.” The title of magician at that time did not necessarily connote evil magic, but rather wisdom (Matthew 2:1-2). The name “Elymas” was an Arabic name that meant “wise man.” The “wise” magician, Elymas, was trying to keep an intelligent Roman leader, Sergius Paulus, from believing the gospel being preached by Paul and Barnabas. Paul stares intently at Bar-Jesus and calls him a son of the devil – the opposite of his name. Instead of proclaiming the wisdom of Elymas, Paul points out how the magician makes crooked the straight paths of the Lord. This highlights his unrighteousness – making it evident that his character is incompatible with actual wisdom (Romans 1:18). Paul then tells Elymas that he’ll be stricken so blind that he won’t even be able to see the sun. The “wise” and “insightful” Elymas is then stricken temporarily blind, and, like Paul in Acts 9, must be led around by others to showcase the irony of his position.
So diligently read the bible for its facts. Learn from its history. Gain wisdom in its theology. Be prepared and marveled by its prophecy. But don’t discount the value of its status as divinely inspired literature!
コメント