When we read the Bible, one of the first things we need to
do is determine what genre we are reading… then we will know how to interpret
it.
Each time you read a passage, you need to find out what
genre it is.
Most often it will be a narrative (although watch out, the Bible has many different types of narratives) or a recount.
Definitions
The Bible Doctor accepts the definitions of recount and narrative as proposed by O'Brien:
The term recount is used to refer to any story in which the main character has no complication, crisis or hurdle to overcome (O'Brien, 1996, p. 84). A recount provides a chronological account of what happens, but within the story, nothing dramatic happens.
In contrast, a narrative is a story in which the main character encounters a complication or hurdle to overcome. Something dramatic takes place.
Thus, it is the presence of conflict differentiates a recount from a narrative.
O’Brien, D. (1992) Writing in the Primary School. Melbourne: Longman Chesire Pty. Ltd
Click below for further information on these two genres:
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Biblical Genres
