HERMENEUTICS
LESSON 12
GENRES: GOSPELS, ACTS, AND THE EPISTLES
(LETTERS)
GENRES: GOSPELS, ACTS, AND THE EPISTLES (LETTERS)
•Word pictures help us experience the emotions and intellect of
the speaker.
•9/10 teachings/ statements of Jesus are spoken in word pictures
–Gospels
•Acts often shows truth through stories/events
•The Epistles are more intimate and real-life in approach
PERICOPE:
•Sallman’s portrait of Jesus was not to create an
image of what Jesus could have looked like
•It was an interpretation of what the artist felt
Christ is like. Through this image, the personality
and character of Christ are revealed.
•The Gospels do the same by using ‘pericopes’. A
writing style like a newspaper article. They are
small, self-contained units that go together to
form a Gospel. “Chunks”
Sallman’s 1940 portrait of Jesus
•Pericopes do not always follow chronological order. The writer often
groups events topically or by theme to emphasize his purpose for
writing.
•Pericopes are mosaic tiles that build a complete
picture one independent tile at a time. Must be read
as a whole unit –not one verse alone
•The pericope opens with a change of location, audience, or time. Ex:
Mark 2:1–12: “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum...”
Mark 2:13–17: “Once again . . . beside the lake. A large crowd came to him . . .As he
walked along” (vv. 13–14).
Mark 2:23–27: “One Sabbath . . . grainfields . . . Pharisees said” (vv. 23–24)
What is a pericope? Give an example:
•Types, Purpose, and Examples of Pericopes:
Type:
Purpose:
Example:
Annunciation/nativity
stories
These stories prove the
uniqueness of Christ’s birth
and relate it to prophecy.
Birth of John (Luke 1:5
–25)
Birth of Christ (Luke 2:1
–7)
Visit of Magi (Matthew 2:1
–
12)
Calling stories
Someone is called to follow
Christ or respond to a specific
command.
Calling the disciples (John
1:35
–51)
Calling of Levi (Mark 2:13
-
17)
Miracle stories
These stories recount
miracles of healing the sick,
controlling
nature,casting
out
demons, or resurrecting the
dead.
Calms storm (Matt 8:23
–27)
Casts out demons
(Matt 8:28
–34)
Raises girl (Matt 9:18
–26)