40 Questions - Discussion - Part 3A - Genres Shared in Both Testaments

Kelly Ann Marino

Hey there, friends. Welcome back to the FC Residency Channel—Hermeneutics for You! Isn't it great to be involved in the Residency program? It's a cherished opportunity to discern and pursue God's calling on your life. Enjoy every minute!

Kelly Ann Marino

Today, we’re diving into something that honestly trips up a lot of Bible readers: genre. Now, Paul, I don’t know about you, but growing up in a house with a blend of cultures meant I heard a lot of different stories—fairy tales, news reports, birthday cards from distant relatives—and, without realizing it, I learned how to sort these into different mental boxes. But when it comes to the Bible, sometimes people, me included, aren’t always sure which box to use. So, I think it's good to start with a question: what do we even mean by "genre" in the Bible, and why does it really matter?

Paul Sheffield

That's a fantastic starting place, Kelly Ann. You know, out on the Kansas plains, you kept life simple, but when I first encountered "genre" in a seminary class, I thought—wait, we're talking about movies or what? Kidding, but sort of not! According to the Merriam-Webster folks, genre’s just a category—stories, poetry, legal documents, that sort of thing. And in Scripture, that variety is huge. You have historical narrative like Genesis and Mark, genealogies, exaggeration or hyperbole, prophecy—Isaiah, Malachi, poetry in Joel or Psalms, covenant documents, proverbs and wisdom books like Proverbs and Job, epistles, even apocalyptic writings like Daniel and Revelation. Each of these comes with its own expectations, kind of like picking up a letter from your water company versus reading a heartfelt note from someone close. You just know which is which, right?

Kelly Ann Marino

Exactly. Like, if I get junk mail that promises I’ve won ten million dollars, deep down, I know I’m not booking tickets to Hawaii. That's context—and, honestly, a little cynicism!—but that context cues me to the genre. And the Bible’s full of moments like that. Some genres feel familiar, but others… I mean, can we just admit that apocalyptic literature or ancient genealogies aren’t exactly nightly reading for most of us? There’s a risk of misunderstanding, too. People sometimes misread a historical story as if it’s teaching us what we should do, not just telling us what happened. Or they’ll dismiss real events as “myth,” which skips right over what the biblical writer wanted us to see.

Paul Sheffield

Right, and that leads straight into a big warning, doesn’t it? There are some real genre minefields out there. Mislabeling genre can just flatten the message—or help someone sidestep difficult teachings. Like, if you mistake the downward spiral in Judges for a list of heroes to copy, that’s a problem. Or take Jonah—some call it a fable, but Jesus treats Jonah as history. If the author signals it’s history, we aren’t free to rewrite it. And one more trap: using interpretive tools to excuse ourselves. Kierkegaard quipped something like, "Christian scholarship is our invention to keep the New Testament at arm’s length." Ouch, right? Genre awareness helps, but it shouldn't be a shield against what God wants to say.

Kelly Ann Marino

I’m so glad you mentioned that, Paul. Because, really, recognizing the genre is just the first step. We need a little humility and honesty about what the text is—its style, its purpose, and its message. And maybe—just maybe—that means we don’t have all the answers on day one. We’ll keep revisiting this, but now, maybe let’s step deeper into how these genres actually show up and why it matters for reading well.

Paul Sheffield

All right, so let’s crack open the biggest section of biblical writing—historical narratives. More than half the Bible falls in this box. Genesis, Exodus, Kings, the Gospels, Acts—you name it. Now, these historical narratives aren’t like today’s biographies or journalistic reports. They’re not always neat or strictly chronological, and they mix in things like genealogies, songs, or even short proverbs and prophecies. The key is to remember—what’s the author up to? Why tell this story, and why choose these details? If you only look for “the facts,” you might miss the whole point. I once organized a food drive inspired by Joseph’s story in Genesis. The point wasn’t just his wisdom with grains, but how God’s purpose plays out through broken people. I mean, if Joseph had just been a smart administrator, I’d have missed out on hope and endurance. Biblical stories want to shape our hearts—not just our heads.

Kelly Ann Marino

That’s true, Paul. And I love that you brought up the layers in those stories. So many times, you have an editorial comment or a big-picture theme—like Mark’s Gospel showcasing Jesus’ authority through story after story. I’ll admit, I sometimes see people go off-track, like thinking the details—say, Jesus being laid in a manger—are there to direct our exact parenting choices. Where was I going with this… oh, right, it’s about returning to why the writers included what they did. The “why” is crucial.

Paul Sheffield

And jumping from narrative to prophecy—that can be whiplash! Prophecy, as we talked about before, isn’t just about wild-eyed predictions or doom-scrolling for the end of the world. Biblically, prophecy means God entrusts someone to speak his word, sometimes about the future, sometimes just about what’s true or urgent now. Prophecies can be conditional—as with Jonah and Nineveh—or unconditional, depending on God’s purpose. But you also get highly figurative language, loaded with poetic images. Interpret carefully! Not everything is a direct prediction, and sometimes what seems strictly about Israel finds new fulfillment in Christ or the church—what we call typology.

Kelly Ann Marino

Yes! And this typology thing is tricky for a lot of us. Like when Matthew quotes Hosea “Out of Egypt I called my son.” In context, Hosea’s talking about Israel’s past. Matthew’s saying there’s this patterned history—what happened with Israel hints at and points to what God would finally do in Jesus. Typology’s about recognizing that the Old Testament can be a kind of shadow, a setup for the main event—without losing sight of what the passage meant to its first audience. But it requires humility. Not every connection is fair game, and we shouldn’t get fancy with symbolism that even Bible authors wouldn’t dream up. Sometimes you just need to sit with the main thing before hunting for secret meanings.

Paul Sheffield

And sometimes, it really is just a story, sometimes it points to something bigger, but always—let’s keep the intent of the biblical author front and center. Even Jesus, when he talks about Jonah and the big fish, treats it as history—no mythologizing. There’s truth beneath the surface, but we don’t have to make every speck into a symbol. Lean on clear context, and let the story mean what it was meant to mean. If you do that, stories—and prophecies—become windows to God’s heart, not locked boxes.

Kelly Ann Marino

Okay, confession time. I once spent hours writing a letter to a friend who was wrestling with Jesus’s words about “moving mountains.” She felt like her prayers weren’t “enough” and wondered if she was missing some giant leap of faith. And, honestly, I wanted to reach through the page and give her a hug, because, let’s be real—Jesus loved using exaggeration and figures of speech to make his point! In everyday language, we say things like, “I’m starving”—nobody’s calling 911 for a snack emergency. In the Bible, especially in the Gospels, poetry, and proverbs, exaggeration is everywhere. Jesus talks about camels through the eye of a needle, cutting off hands, or hating your family. He’s using these loaded, memorable phrases to drive home the seriousness, not give us impossible or cruel instructions.

Paul Sheffield

Right—and the danger is, some folks try to take all of it literally and miss the point, while others use “it’s just hyperbole” as a loophole to dodge what Jesus was saying. There are eight basic principles for spotting exaggeration—things like whether the statement’s literally impossible, conflicts with other teachings or actions of Jesus, or wouldn’t make sense if acted on literally, or the context is a genre known for exaggerated speech. For example, when Jesus says, “let the dead bury their own dead,” we know he’s making an emphatic point—discipleship costs everything, but, you know, the family undertaker will still have a job! Interpret with the whole story in mind.

Kelly Ann Marino

Absolutely. And figures of speech make the reading richer, too. Whether it’s a metaphor—like “I am the vine, you are the branches”—or a synecdoche, metonymy, or a good old idiom, the Bible’s full of creative, vivid language. Sometimes, it’s cultural, and newer readers might miss the flavor. That’s okay! And then there’s apocalyptic literature—wow, that’s the heavyweight division. Revelation, Daniel… it’s like reading someone else’s dream journal, complete with angels, beasts, cosmic battles. Some of it’s history retold with symbols, some is hope for the future, and some is a warning to endure. Revelation alone has four main approaches—preterist, historicist, idealist, and futurist—and you could fill a bookshelf with opinions. The key is not to get lost chasing codes. Ask yourself, what would this have meant for the original audience? And what’s the larger story of hope and perseverance? Don’t forget, most of the symbols have Old Testament roots, so put on those cross-referencing glasses!

Paul Sheffield

Yeah, that’s so important. And sometimes, the most faithful reading is just to say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll keep listening for what God’s revealing in the big picture.” After all, Jesus’s use of exaggeration or John’s cosmic visions are meant to make us stop, reflect, and respond—not win a trivia contest. If it leads to deeper awe and obedience, even if you wrestle with the details, you’re probably on the right path. And if a passage sounds wild or confusing, look for the guidance of the community, trusted commentaries, and, maybe most importantly, ask God for wisdom. Nobody figures all this out alone.

Kelly Ann Marino

So, Paul, this ties into something we’ve circled back to in almost every episode—context. The original audience, the historical moment, and the cultural world of the Bible are absolutely key. It’s easy to forget that, say, Paul’s letters went first to communities dealing with real crises—whether it was family feuds, new believers clashing over what to eat, or the shock of persecution. Knowing who’s being addressed can shift a passage from confusing to, “Oh, that makes sense!”

Paul Sheffield

Exactly, Kelly Ann. Like, when you’re reading Revelation, just remembering it was written for actual churches in Asia Minor during a time of pressure and danger changes everything. Before you chase symbols about current events, ask, "What did those Christians hear in these words?" The same goes for parables, poems, or genealogies. Historical, geographical, and social background helps us decipher meaning—why, for example, a genealogy would matter, or why a parable about vineyards resonated in Jesus’ day. If I had a nickel for every time context clarified a difficult verse in counseling or teaching, well, I’d… I’d have a couple bucks, at least.

Kelly Ann Marino

I always recommend starting with a good study Bible or a trusted commentary. Sometimes I even make a family activity out of researching ancient customs or places. Not gonna lie, it can turn into a rabbit trail of fascinating details—like, “Wait, what crop did they actually grow in Galilee?” But it’s worth it. And don’t forget, language tools and historical research help us see passages with new eyes. Context isn’t just a technical trick; it’s a way to walk alongside the communities who first heard these words—and helps keep us honest about our own assumptions.

Paul Sheffield

And building on what we discussed last time, community is such a safeguard. Share your questions, your insights, even your confusions. So often, what’s obscure to one person becomes clear with a little group discussion—or someone points you toward a resource you hadn’t considered. It’s humbling, but it’s also freeing. You don’t have to untangle tough passages alone, and you don’t need to be a scholar to get something real from the text. Take some simple steps: check those cross-references, look up unknown words, learn a bit about the world behind the words—and suddenly, obscure passages become doors instead of walls.

Kelly Ann Marino

As we wrap up, let’s talk about the Bible’s original languages—and why our English translations matter so much for interpretation. Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek… sometimes I think, “Am I supposed to be a linguist to understand all this?” But just knowing that each language has its own style, idioms, and poetry helps. Translation is never just plug-and-play. Words don’t always match perfectly across cultures and centuries, and there are loaded terms and phrases that we might miss or misinterpret if we’re not careful.

Paul Sheffield

Yeah, and if you’ve ever tried comparing different Bible translations side by side—say, the ESV, NIV, and maybe even something like the Message—you’ve probably noticed all sorts of subtle (or not-so-subtle) differences. Translation is an art—and sometimes a bit of a wrestling match. Idioms, wordplays, or poetic forms can be pretty stubborn, refusing to move smoothly from one language to another. There’s value in consulting several versions, especially for trickier passages, and if you’re feeling adventurous, looking up an interlinear or using a lexicon for key words now and then. I mean, I’m not saying you gotta memorize biblical Greek declensions in your spare time, but every little bit helps.

Kelly Ann Marino

Totally. And sometimes, even a quick footnote or parallel Bible can open up a whole new angle. If you feel confused because a phrase is rendered differently in another translation, don’t panic! It probably just means the translators were grappling with exactly the kind of nuance we’ve been talking about today. And remember, tools like commentaries and reputable Bible study apps can guide you deeper into the meanings. The big encouragement? You don’t need to know everything or have all the answers—just a willingness to keep learning, listening, and, maybe, to let your questions spark the next adventure in Scripture.

Paul Sheffield

That about says it. The beauty of the Bible is that—with some care, with prayer, and with a little honest work—there’s always another layer to uncover, another path to walk down. And we’re glad to keep walking it alongside all of you out there! Kelly Ann, this was another rich conversation—can’t wait for the next round as we dig deeper into how style, language, and history open up the living words of Scripture.

Kelly Ann Marino

Same here, Paul. Thanks for lending your wisdom. And thanks, everyone, for joining us on Hermeneutics for You. Be sure to tune in next time—we’ll keep working through the big questions and the little details, step by step. Take care, Paul!

Paul Sheffield

You too, Kelly Ann. Blessings to you and to everyone listening. Goodbye for now.