A Literary Approach to the New Testament

Synopsis

From the book: The literary approach views form and content as one and is concerned with what the book is. Just as the literary interpreter of Chaucer requires a wealth of information and insight concerning the times of Chaucer and the influences at work in him, so the literary interpreter of the New Testament requires information about it and insights into it. Knowing what the book is in itself and in its relations frequently clarifies significantly what the book means. General readers will profit from the presentation of this knowledge in developing their own insights into the New Testament. In asserting that the reader of the New Testament will find greater reward and understanding if he is a Christian, there is no intent to belittle the values of the book for non-Christian readers. Such readers should, however, exercise what Coleridge described as "the willing suspension of disbelief for a season" in order to enter, at least temporarily, into the spirit of the work. If we endeavor to read in this spirit, we shall find the work richer and more rewarding. For literary interpretation of the New Testament, the traditional Sunday school presentation has contributed little beyond acquainting children with episodes and agents. In it books are seldom treated as wholes made by an author with specific purpose and artistic designs. Books are to be analyzed upon sound anatomical principles for study of what they are before ideas for moral and religious instruction are drawn from them.

Copyright:

1972

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

355 Pages

ISBN-13:

9780806110110

Publisher:

N/A

Date of Addition:

08/01/05

Copyrighted By:

University of Oklahoma Press

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Reference, Religion and Spirituality, Language Arts

Submitted By:

Dr. Kenneth Cross

Proofread By:

Lena

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.