In the book “The Art of Biblical Narrative” by Robert Alter, there is one chapter (Chapter 3) titled “Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention” (Alter 47). Alter describes several different stories (but similar in some ways) in the Old Testament that can be difficult to interpret in today’s culture. Alter describes how reading any book (more specifically the Bible), requires use of conventions, which he describes as “… an elaborate set of tacit agreements between artist and audience about the ordering of the art work is at all times the enabling context in which the complex communication of art occurs” (Alter 47). In other words, an agreement of how the writing is done; it can be pretty complex as well. He states that there are stories …show more content…
Isaac is near a well in a town, and he prays to God so that he could find a wife, and that whoever gives himself and his camels water from a well that is who he is supposed to marry. So Rebekah comes and draws water from it for Isaac and the camels, as soon as her knows her family background, he gives her loads of dowry and they get betrothed! According to Alter, it’s interesting how this type scene worked, there was a lot of dialogue, and it was pretty detailed overall (Alter 53). Jacob is the only instance in which he himself meets the woman at a well (to be betrothed), to Alter Isaac is the most passive of the “hero’s” (or Patriarchs). Alter uses the example of Jacob who was bound to be a victim, he was saved because of a ram; “later he will prefer the son who can go out to the field and bring him back provender” (Alter 53). Then gets schemed by Jacob, who then lied to him. To compare and contrast there was the betrothal of Jacob and Rachel. Unlike Isaac, Jacob worked to get Rachel for seven years, his love grew for her within that time frame. The betrothal took place by a well in the fields, not in a town. Jacob had to become patient with his betrothal, but to him it didn’t feel long at all. Those are just two or many type-scenes Alter went over. Each had a few things in common with one another and each had their share of …show more content…
To me, this whole chapter seemed like he was saying that the Bible is just a bunch of stories; since they’re all so similar. Also it was pretty hard over all to follow along with what exactly what was being argued. I feel that Alter also goes off into weird tangents which cause the reader to stop and question his writing. I can usually grasp the meaning of most text; I consider myself I good reader, but there were some parts of this chapter where it was very hard to read what he was trying to say. Several times he jumps from character to character. But overall, I understood most of what he was trying to say (at least I believe I do). I’m not sure if I would have any challenges for him, mainly because I don’t think I understood some of it (to be completely
It is the reader and his or her interpretive community who attempts to impose a unified reading on a given text. Such readers may, and probably will, claim that the unity they find is in the text, but this claim is only a mask for the creative process actually going on. Even the most carefully designed text can not be unified; only the reader's attempted taming of it. Therefore, an attempt to use seams and shifts in the biblical text to discover its textual precursors is based on a fundamentally faulty assumption that one might recover a stage of the text that lacked such fractures (Carr 23-4).
The book of Matthew chapter 5 through 7 was known as, “The Sermon on the Mount”. Which were words spoken by Jesus Christ. The purpose of this Sermon was to show representation of the normative foundation of Christian Morality. For instance, this passage was more so fixated on whole hearted benevolence towards others around you and genuine devotion to God.
Although the New Testament has twenty-seven books, I choose to do this research project on the book of Revelation also called Revelation to John. Despite the fact that many people avoid this book, saying that it is confusing, or perhaps even frightening, in my opinion it is the most intriguing and interesting book within the New Testament. The book of Revelation can be quite difficult to understand, there for it often raises more question than answers. However by concentrating on the structure and the symbols within the book, it becomes less difficult to understand. Choosing the book of Revelation for this research paper will give me the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what is in my perspective is one of the most important books in the bible.
It is known to most that the gospels often differ from historical facts due to the writer of each gospel putting significant emphasis on particular actions and attributes of Jesus. Also a major part in this difference is the fact that the gospels were written 35-60 years after the death of Jesus and some of these memories have altered over time. Differences in conflicting evidence, writing to different communities, writing during a different time period, and with different intentions are all more reasons as to why these gospels conflict with historical facts. There is said to be six accounts that are subdivided into two separate traditions. These two traditions are those having to do with the appearance of Jesus in Galilee and the others are the appearances of Jesus to the eleven disciples in Jerusalem. These two traditions seem to not have any knowledge of one another and when the two were attempted to be combined into one tradition it was proven that this is not only impossible but it is unbeneficial.
From the excerpt from the novel, “Under the Feet of Jesus” by Helena Maria Viramontes, the main character is Estrella, a young Spanish girl with a powerful desire to learn to read. Although she is persistent, her teachers refuse to educate her because they are more concerned of Estrella’s personal hygiene. This leaves Estrella resentful because of the barrier between herself and knowledge. Estrella remains silent until a man named Perfecto Flores teaches her how to read by using his expertise in hardware and tools to represent the alphabet. Viramontes depicts the heartfelt growth of Estrella through her use of tone, figurative language, and detail.
...e to the study of the bible instead of all the doubts that was created by the other criticism. To them all the odd parts and repeated phrases or parts all add to a strikingly beautiful tale. They see the bible as a literary masterpiece in which the authors used gorgeous imagery to strike at the heart of the reader to show them God’s greatness. In essence rhetorical critics want you to see the big picture instead of all the little side pictures. The J story of Genesis as well at times the P story is filled with imagery that is meant to show God’s power.
Drugs are known to be the shortcut to nefarious and decadent life. Jesus’ Son is a collection of stories containing vivid narrative about life as a drug addict. These stories are all told in first person narrative, which is perhaps one person who is suffering from poverty and drug addiction. They are seemingly disconnected but are all about the experience of drug addiction, working together under the theme of drug addiction and how it fragments people mentally and physically. “Car Crash While Hitchhiking” and “Work” both convey this theme by using abrupt tone and unique figurative language. However, “Car Crash While Hitchhiking” characterizes the protagonist more directly to reveal the fall of protagonist because of drug.
Some books have been known to change the way people view the universe, even how they act. One book was very influential to the world when it was published, the King James Bible. The King James Version of the Bible has helped shape the way many people thing and write. Its history and importance is just as relevant today as it was back when it was first written.
In The Bible Among the Myths, John N. Oswalt opens up his book by establishing his expertise in the subject of the Ancient Near East (ANE). Oswalt started his study into the ANE at Asbury Theological Seminary. After attending Asbury Theological Seminary, he went to Brandeis University. This is where his fascination with the subjects and ideas of the ANE started to grow. Oswalt eventually went on to teach at Asbury Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Wesley Biblical Seminary.
Through the translation process of the Bible people believe that the impact is inspirational, inerrant, and infallible, but over the years, translators have been translating the bible to fit the needs of the people or the religious denominations. “On one hand, in many instances, the Bible clearly reflects a patriarchal, male-dominant society. Elizabeth Stanton the publication of whose book, The Woman 's Bible, established her as the pioneer of feminist literature writes in the preface to her book” (Shapira 7-8). Just as said, Elizabeth Stanton publicized her own female dominant version of the bible to fit the needs of women society. “the Women's Bible was written with the intention of challenging the religious base of patriarchy. Some pervasive themes in the Women's Bible include the impracticality of applying Biblical standards to the 19th century, doubting the literal nature of the Bible” (Harp 2). As previously stated, the Bible is translated and interpreted to fit the
Around 1400 B.C. Exodus was written in Hebrew. The Exodus, which is one of the books in the Old Testament, are rules, similar to Hammurabi Code placed by God for the descendants of Abram. This literature gives insight into the structure of the Jewish community, which includes the hierarchy of their community as well as the roles important in this community. Scholars can further understand the Hebrew community by reading Genesis. Genesis consists of religious stories that talks about how farming, slavery, and the world came into being. But overall, scholars can see a society very much center on religion.
Thought the book of Exodus I noticed three characteristics that God displayed, God is good, He is merciful and forgiving, and He is love.The book of Exodus teaches us that God will never leave us or forsake us despite what we do or say. In the book of Exodus, God teaches the Israelites to rest in his holy faithfulness, by trusting his decision regarding their life.
The book of Exodus is seen as, the “Second Book of Moses”, as well as the second book in the Pentateuch . The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Old Testament, and is also known as the Torah, or “Law” in Hebrew, which is just one section that makes up the whole Hebrew Bible or Tanak. The Torah consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and is the beginning sections of the Bible. The other two sections are known as Nevi’im, “Prophets”, and Ketuvim, “Writings”. Upon analysis of the book of Exodus, it is expressively important to consider the historical aspects, literary issues, and theological themes that make up such a book.
The story of Joseph, the prophet is a pivotal cornerstone for two of the three major Abrahamic religions. In it, both Judaic and Islamic followers have crafted a story which establish God’s ability to intervene and protect his resolute followers. Throughout time, both parties have diverged on the fundamentals of this story to benefit their definition of faithfulness. As such, Both Islamic and Judaic faiths have crafted a story in which the view of God, Joseph, and the other characters present a significant example of the power of God and Allah.
First I will give you a background of exegesis. Webster's New World Dictionary(1990), defines exegesis as, the interpretation of a word, passage, etc., esp. in the Bible. This definition is a worldly. To understand the true meaning and background I looked in John H. Hays book called, Biblical Exegesis, for the answer. He says that the term "exegesis" itself comes from the Greek word exegeomai which basically meant " to lead out of." When applied to texts, it denoted the " reading out" of the meaning. The noun, therefore, could refer to "interpretation" or " explanation." Thus whenever we read a text or hear a statement which we seek to understand and interpret, we are involved in exegesis.