gen•re noun
a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter
From the above definition, we can see that “genre” is not limited to literary forms. The videos below illustrate the general concept of “genre” for us by comparing two different musical genres before we dive more deeply into literary genre.
Example #1: J.S. Bach’s “Prelude: Suite No.1 for Solo Cello” played by Yo-Yo Ma
Example #2: “Love Theory” by Kirk Franklin
List 3–5 features that distinguish the genres of these two musical pieces.
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Scripture & Genre
Several years ago my wife and I took an audio course on how to listen to great music. The course was more than twenty hours long and covered what I might have previously called simply "Classical" music. I quickly learned that this was neither accurate nor sufficient. Pieces that I categorized as “Classical” were actually divided across several genres: Baroque, Classical, or Romantic. And we can divide these major categories into several sub-genres. As the instructor played various pieces, I could intuitively recognize the differences. Yet, as he unpacked the details of each genre, I learned to listen more attentively. I appreciated and enjoyed these genres more deeply as I learned to recognize the patterns, forms, and instrumentation of each genre.
We experience biblical genres in much the same way. Readers intuitively recognize how the songs of the Psalms differ from the letters of the apostles and how the narrative of Kings is distinct from the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. And yet focussed study of the genres of Scripture is still important, as it equips us to interpret the Bible with more accuracy, understanding, and joy.
A Basis for Recognizing Biblical Genres
...men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21
Back in lesson 1, we considered the Bible’s dual authorship. The Divine author communicates his glory in Christ through men. We see and savor God’s glory in Christ in the words, syntax, and literary forms employed by the Bible’s human authors. Thus, the nature of Scripture (as a Book written by the Holy Spirit through men) demands that we recognize and appreciate the significance of its literary genres.
That may seem like a bold statement. You will not find a commandment, “Thou shalt enjoy all biblical genres.” However, it is clear that the Bible expects us to recognize its genres and interpret passages in that light. Several psalms begin with a description of their intended form. NT epistles introduce themselves as letters. The Book of Revelation describes itself as an apocalyptic vision and prophecy.
A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God!
—Psalm 48:1
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
—Psalm 78:1–2
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
—Luke 1:1–4
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
—Colossians 1:1–2
I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
—Hebrews 13:22
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
—Revelation 1:1–3
Scripture is full of songs, testimonies, laws, parables, narratives, sermons, poems, drama, letters, and visions—all of them theological, all instructive, all meant to reshape and reform our hearts and our minds, that we might see and savor God's glory in Christ. So, the authors of this course state the following interpretative principle with confidence: The Bible demands that we recognize and appreciate the significance of its literary genres.
Types of Biblical Genres
Exact categories of genre are hard to define. This is true for a number of reasons:
Like musicians, writers often mix genres (e.g. a full orchestra within a rock song or poetry within a work of prose)
Artists and authors often create new patterns and styles.
The genre categories may vary based on which characteristics you emphasize when you sort them. For example, all of the music genres in the video could be re-categorized as either instrumental (no lyrics) or lyrical.
Nonetheless, through the Bible’s literary forms, its historical-cultural context, and its own words, we can identify the following genres in Scripture:
The Old Testament
Narrative
Law
Psalms
Wisdom
Prophecy
The New Testament
Gospels (and Acts)
Epistles (letters)
Revelation
Before we study each of these genres more closely, the next step considers the question: What role does/should genre have as we interpret a particular text?