Distinct Writing Styles of the Bible

1. LAW

In the first five books of the Old Testament, God gave laws to the Israelite people. Although often referred to as “The Law,” these books are largely narrative illustrating that God’s law is relational in nature and cannot be interpreted outside of God’s story.

How is it unique?

Hebrew law is unique because it is an integral part of the old covenant, which outlined the relationship between God and His people. Because Jesus fulfilled the Law, or the terms of the old covenantal relationship, we are now in a new covenant relationship with God through Jesus.

What was its purpose? 

Even in the Old Testament, obedience to the Law was not a means to salvation, rather it was God’s gift to the Israelites to set them apart as a nation for His glory and to serve as a guide to love God and love others well.

Why should I read it today?

Although we are not expected to keep Old Testament law today, it would be difficult to appreciate our need for Jesus and the significance of the new covenant without first understanding the purpose of the Law in the Biblical story.

How do I get the most out of it?

• What is the spirit of the law? Why did God give this law?

• What does this show us about God’s character and desire for His people?

• How does Israel’s failure to obey God’s law show us our need for Jesus?

• How does loving God and loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40) fulfill all the Laws?

2. NARRATIVE

Over 40% of the Old Testament is considered narrative, which are stories of God’s people in the past. The Bible tells thousands of small stories that each contribute to one Big Story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration.

How is it unique?

Every story has a plot and characters. The historical stories in the Bible don’t shy away from telling us what actually happened nor do they paint its characters in a picture of perfection. 

What was its purpose? 

The problem in the biblical story is our sin that separates us from God. Narrative helps us know a patient and faithful God as we see Him carry out His plan of redemption throughout history. 

Why should I read it today?

Rather than instructing how to live our lives, biblical narrative helps us reflect on our lives and failures through the flawed characters of the Bible and learn from their stories. It’s also a powerful reminder that God uses and restores the broken and He can do the same for us today.

How do I get the most out of it?

• What is the purpose of this story? What is God doing and why?

• How does this fit into the Big Story of the Bible? How does it point to Jesus?

• What does this tell us about the character of God? 

• What can I learn from the mistakes and actions of the Biblical characters? 

• What would the original audience have understood that I miss because of cultural differences? 

4. WISDOM

Wisdom literature is discernment and applicable truths given from God to man that can help guide our lives today. In most cases, these truths are captured in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.

How is it unique?

Wisdom literature unpacks how the world works, provides guidance on common sense areas of life, and addresses life's mysteries and philosophical questions, like “What is the purpose of life?” The books in this literary style give us practical application for today, and most importantly, how to have awe and reverence toward God.

What was its purpose? 

Most writings that capture wisdom provide “prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young,” and provide additional wisdom to those that are already wise (Proverbs 1:4-5, NIV). The heart of all wisdom literature is answering the question: What does living well in this world look like?

Why should I read it today?

Wisdom literature helps direct our hearts and actions in everything we encounter in our daily lives. It helps reveal guidance of how to make better choices - right vs. wrong, wise vs. foolish, and addresses tough questions that many of us have contemplated around if there is a God, if God is just, and why suffering in this world happens.

How do I get the most out of it?

• What is the overall message of the book?

• Who is speaking, who are they speaking to, and what message are they trying to get across?

• Is this message providing guidance, or is it debating life’s meaning or purpose?

• What practical wisdom did I learn that I can apply to my life today?

• How can I alter my life, character, or actions based on what I learned?

5. PROPHECY

God used hand-selected prophets to communicate messages from Him. There were hundreds of prophets throughout Jewish history, 16 of whom would have their own named books in the Old Testament (Isaiah through Malachi).

How is it unique?

The writings of the prophets used powerful imagery and language to communicate God’s messages to His people, the majority being the Israelites. The prophetic books span about three centuries and overlap with the history of the Israelite people found throughout the Old Testament, filling in details about God’s communication with His people during their lifetime.

What was its purpose? 

Prophets were used by God to: 

• Communicate God’s Law - Remind Israel of God’s law and call them to repentance. Prophets warned the Israelites of divine judgment for sin, reminded them of the covenants they agreed to, and ultimately revealed the nature of God to humanity.

• Communicate God’s Promises - Foretell specific future events that would come to pass, which included God’s rescue plan (Jesus) that would save the world. Most of these types of prophecies, however, referred to the immediate future of Israel, Judah, & surrounding nations and have already been fulfilled. 

• Communicate God’s Sovereignty - Already fulfilled prophecies allow us to see God’s hand and sovereignty over events in history and can give us confidence in God and His Word.

Why should I read it today?

While these messages from God were captured at specific times and places in history to a particular audience, they can help deepen our trust in God and call us into a relationship with Him. As we see the heart of God and His desire for relationship with humanity, it should make us uncomfortable with a life separated from Him and drive us toward behavioral change that draws us closer to the Lord.

How do I get the most out of it?

Use these questions as a general guide to study any Biblical prophecy:

• What is the historical context of the prophet and their audience (Who, What, When, Where, and Why)?

• Why did God speak this message to those people at that time and how does this reveal God’s heart?

• What larger themes jump out while reading?

• What do we learn about God and what He wants from His people?

• How is Jesus revealed (Note: not always applicable, not all prophecies are Messianic)?

6. GOSPELS

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote the “good news” about Jesus and the Kingdom of God, which is collectively known today as the Gospels and make up the first four books of the New Testament.

How is it unique?

The four gospels together tell one unified story of Jesus Christ, yet each is shaped in a unique way and each with its own distinct perspective on how to highlight Jesus and His character. 

What was its purpose?

Not only are the Gospels biographies about Jesus, they also include teachings from Jesus, and bear witness to Him as the Son of God and the Messiah that fulfilled the Old Testament. 

Why should I read it today?

The same questions that were asked back then are still asked today. For nearly 2000 years the Gospels have given eyewitness accounts that answer questions like - Who is Jesus? Why did He come? Did He really raise from the dead? 

How do I get the most out of it?

• Who wrote it and why did he write it?

• Who was the audience and what should I know about their culture?

• What emphasis does the author place on Jesus?

• How does the author persuade you to believe in Jesus?

7. PARABLES

Jesus masterfully told around 40 parables in the Bible as stories and illustrations to communicate a message about the nature of the kingdom of God or to understand and respond to Jesus’ ministry.

How is it unique?

Parables often had a shock value. Like a good joke, the ending wasn’t what one expected and it’s only impactful if you understand the reference points - which is much harder for us removed from their culture by 2000 years and reading the stories instead of hearing them. 

What was its purpose? 

Parables were told to get a response. Every detail did not have hidden meaning, rather the point was understood in a way that touched the conscience and made people consider their own actions more than being told what to do ever could. 

Why should I read it today?

Jesus captured the imagination with parables, encouraging people to think and ask questions and make their own discoveries. Parables can do the same for us today and give us a fresh perspective on what God is doing. 

8. LETTERS

Twenty-one of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament are letters (also called epistles) from the apostles to the early christians and churches in the first century.

How is it unique?

Generally speaking, the gospels focus more on what Jesus did, whereas the letters interpret the significance of what those events meant and helped guide the early Christian church, and their leaders, after Jesus ascended to heaven. 

What was its purpose? 

Most of the epistles were written to address a specific situation in a specific area, such as a misunderstanding, poor behavior, or incorrect doctrine and also addressed broader themes of Christianity for the church as a whole.

Why should I read it today?

Reading the letters is like hearing one side of a phone conversation - we hear the response and answers, but it’s up to us to figure out what prompted it on the other end. The instructions may apply to similar situations in our lives and our churches today.

How do I get the most out of it?

• Treat the letters as you would any letter today - read the whole thing in order.

• Get to know the recipients and the authors history with them.

• What instruction is given and why was it needed?  

• What cultural truths belong to the first century and which transcend time and culture?

9. APOCALYPTIC

Often called “revelation,” this literary style is prophetic writing that is captured in both the books of Revelation and Daniel.

How is it unique?

Apocalyptic is symbolic and metaphorical in nature, which focuses on future events to come, specifically at the end of time when Jesus Christ returns. These writings reveal the invisible spiritual war that is taking place between God and Satan and describe earthly events from a heavenly perspective.

What was its purpose? 

These writings are meant to encourage believers in Christ to understand the gravity of what will happen to those that don’t believe in Christ, and ultimately the victory that God has over Satan.

Why should I read it today?

We get a deeper understanding of the unseen battle that will take place as God takes victory over the new heaven and earth, and because of it, the urgency we should have to share Christ with others. It also helps us realize that God has ultimate control over all of creation.

How do I get the most out of it?

• Take note of words that signal symbolic language (“sign,” “signify,” “like,” and “as”). 

• What conflict do you notice between good and evil? 

• How is God’s triumph over evil and Satan described?

• What do you learn about God’s sovereignty and triumph over evil?

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