CT105 Class Module 5 NARRATION

CT105 Biblical Hermeneutics: “The Art of Interpretation” Module 5 :

CT105 Biblical Hermeneutics: “The Art of Interpretation” Module 5 NBTS Certificate Program Spring 2011 Rev. Charles Rix, Ph.D.

Critical Methods of Interpretation :

Critical Methods of Interpretation

Why Critical Methods of Interpretation?:

Why Critical Methods of Interpretation? To reach an informed understanding of the text.

Introducing Critical Methods:

Introducing Critical Methods Source Criticism Redaction Criticism Literary Form Canonical Feminist Post Colonial and Post Holocaust Gender based methods

Form Criticism:

Form Criticism A method that seeks to identify the compositional units behind the biblical texts to discern: the literary genre the social setting : local customs, institution, practices

Form Criticism:

Form Criticism Developers of Form Criticism: Hermann Gunkel Sigmund Mowinckel Albrecht Alt Form criticism has been of particular interest in the analysis of the Psalms and the Wisdom literature in the Bible

Form Criticism:

Form Criticism Form criticism is concerned with genre , or the category of written literature. Categories such as: Lyric poetry Narratives or story Prophetic proclamations Legal text Epistle Saying or proverb Dirge Sermon

Form Criticism:

Form Criticism Different genres have social contexts Describe the social context in our world of: Email Text message Formal letter Academic paper Shopping list Wikipedia Journal of Biblical Literature Web-site

Form Criticism:

Form Criticism Form analysis involves: A description of the text and its structure A general “class” of literature The “Sitz im Leben” or “setting-in-life”

Form Criticism: Structure:

Form Criticism: Structure A description of the text Who is speaking Types of passages For example in one Psalm there can be many different kinds of passages: Hymns of praise Prayers Blessings Imperatives Statements of Faith

Slide 11:

Psalm 118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever." 5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 With the LORD on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in mortals. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like a fire of thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly." 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. 18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Form Criticism: Class or “Gattung”:

Form Criticism: Class or “Gattung” A general classification of the type of literature For example: Hymns of Praise in the Psalms: “Hallelujah!” Apodeictic Laws (commands): “Thou shall not…” Casuistic Law (case law): “If a person does this…” Prophetic Oracles “Thus says the LORD…”

Form Criticism: Sitz im Leben:

Form Criticism: Sitz im Leben The occasion or social setting for the text, not the historical time of its composition For example: Hymns of Praise in the Psalms: liturgical context Apodeictic Laws (commands): legal proceedings Prophetic Texts: God as judge (Zech 3), God as plaintiff (Isaiah 1) God as defendant (Micah 6)