The Nature of the Bible
Types of Sources
Key Terms
Embodiment
Genres
100

The Bible is authored by God and human beings because the Holy Spirit guided the composers of Scripture so that the text conveys what God wanted to communicate, or the idea that the Bible is "God-breathed" and life-giving (1 Tim 3:16)

What is Inspiration?

100

A work that analyzes and offers a running interpretation or explanation of a biblical text, interpretive issues, and perspectives

What is a Commentary?

100

Fundamental code, rules, or virtues that support or guide beliefs and practices

What is a principle?

100

The point that human beings exist in physical forms, are embedded in relational webs, and live in cultures and, therefore, have their own perspectives

What is embodiment?

100

A letter for a particular individual or community that typically focuses on teaching and exhortation. Most commonly associated with the writings of Paul.

What is an epistle?

200

Literally meaning "measuring stick," this term refers to the collected anthology of texts that make up the Bible and its authoritative role for matters of faith  

What is the canon?

200

Short, introductory coverage of basic information like definitions, origins, usage of words or ideas

What is a Dictionary?

200

The arrangement and connections between words to make a sentence

What is syntax?

200

The idea that reality and truth, if they exist, can be accessed only through an interpreter. In short, the idea that everything is perspectival.

What is subjectivity?

200

Literary works that use terse, concise, intense, evocative, emotive, allusive, and suggestive language to express feelings and ideas beyond proposition and story. Most commonly associated with the Psalms.

What is poetry?

300

Statements about the church's core beliefs about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel

What is a creed?

300

Longer summaries and synthesis of information on a topic, often summarizing debates or perspectives

What is an Encyclopedia?

300

Using a biblical passage without regard to context in order to support one's perspective

What is a proof text?

300

Prejudice or inclination in favor of or against something in a way typically considered unfair

What is bias?

300

From the Hebrew Torah meaning "instruction" or teaching to the Greek nomos, this refers to the legal aspects of the Bible, most commonly associated with the five books of Moses.

What is "law"?

400

The teaching that the Bible is without error in all that it teaches in the original autographs or manuscripts

Inerrancy

400

A catalogue of words or phrases found in the Bible to show where and how often words appear

What is a Concordance ?

400

The art and science of interpreting language, typically the Bible

What is Hermeneutics?

400

The idea that reality and truth exist external to interpreters, can be accessed or perceived with reasonable certainty, and that interpreters can consider other perspectives.

What is objectivity?

400

Perspectival, selective, connecting of events into meaningful sequence to convey their significance toward a particular aim

What is historiography or historical narrative?

500

The idea that the Bible is clear and understandable by anyone, especially regarding matters of salvation

What is perspicuity?

500

Uses maps or other visuals to identify important geographic features of the regions mentioned in the Bible

What is an atlas? 

500

The teaching that God's covenant with the Jewish people (ethnic Israel) is obsolete, rejected, and/or transferred to the Church

What is supersessionism?

500

Standing impartial in perspective, disinterested or not invested in the investigation of reality and truth.

What is neutrality?

500

Character, Setting, Plot, Conflict, Theme, Point of View (perspective), Tone, Style or Context (Situatedness), Structure (Event Sequencing), Conflict (Worldmaking and Disruption), and Participation (Experience/What It’s Like)

What is narrative?

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