How to Read the Bible as Literature: . . . and Get More Out of It

by Leland Ryken

Overview

Why the Good Book Is a Great Read If you want to rightly understand the Bible, you must begin by recognizing what it is: a composite of literary styles. It is meant to be read, not just interpreted. The Bible’s truths are embedded like jewels in the rich strata of story and poetry, metaphor and proverb, parable and letter, satire and symbolism. Paying attention to the literary form of a passage will help you understand the meaning and truth of that passage. How to Read the Bible as Literature takes you through the various literary forms used by the biblical authors. This book will help you read the Bible with renewed appreciation and excitement and gain a more profound grasp of its truths. Designed for maximum clarity and usefulness, How to Read the Bible as Literature includes * sidebar captions to enhance organization * wide margins ideal for note taking * suggestions for further reading * appendix: "The Allegorical Nature of the Parables" * indexes of persons and subjects

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310536338
Publisher:	Zondervan Academic
Publication date:	11/22/2016
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	769 KB

About the Author

Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) is professor of English at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he has twice received the "teacher of the year" award.

Table of Contents

Contents Preface 1. Is the Bible Literature? 2. The Stories of the Bible 3. Types of Biblical Stories 4. The Poetry of the Bible 5. Types of Biblical Poetry 6. The Proverb as a Literary Form 7. The Gospels 8. Parables 9. The Epistles 10. Satire 11. Visionary Literature 12. The Literary Unity of the Bible Appendix: The Allegorical Nature of the Parables Index of Persons Index of Subjects