How to Read the Bible Part 3: Intro to Literary Genres and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

This is part 3 in our series of how to read the Bible. In this episode, Tim introduces us to the three main times of literature styles found in the Bible. Narrative, poetry and prose discourse.

The first half of the show (0-28:15), Tim introduces us to the three forms of literature in the Bible and how they are laid out using the analogy of a grocery store. The guys talk about the challenge of reading the Bible. Wishing that they had UN automatic translation headphones.

In the second half of the show (28:15-40:00), the guys talk about some of the inner psychological stories we tell ourselves. And how stories are a way to make sense of the world. Tim shares a quote from CS Lewis talking about the importance of reading expanding our worldview. Tim explains that many people expect the Bible to be a set of moral instructions, but actually the narrative structure of the Bible is much more open-ended.

The last part of the show (48:00-End), the guys discuss how our brains are hardwired for narratives and how the stories of the Bible work in our brains. Jon muses about maybe all of life and the Bible can be distilled down to asking “What do I desire?” and Tim breaks down the structure of Psalm 19.

Next week the guys will dive into the Scriptures and talk about some examples of the different types of literary styles.

This show is designed to go with our new youtube video series, “How to Read the Bible” you can check it out here: "we will update this Thursday, June 22 when it launches"!

Additional Resources:

An Experiment in Criticism by C.S. Lewis

The Skeptical Believer by Daniel Taylor

Read The Bible For A Change by Ray Lubeck

The Secular Age by Charles Taylor

Music Credits:

Defender Instrumental by Rosasharn Music

Good Grief by Beautiful Eulogy

Respect, Power and Money by Eshon Burgundy